News

OLLI offers teaching opportunities

“A Health Club for the Mind!” That is how members describe the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (or “OLLI” ) here at the University of Minnesota. OLLI is a community of lifelong learners who are actively engaged in a volunteer-led, high-quality, educational, cultural, and social organization.

Bookshelf Notes—Insights on living from the wisdom of dying

While it is written by a chaplain who has sat with hundreds of dying people, it is more about living and the meaning of living. But mostly it is a quick read that can make you feel good and change how you think about living and dying.

On Living by Kerry Egan was published in 2016 by Penguin Publishing. This review was written by UMRA member and Past President Ron Anderson, who says this book is about finding “joy in living.”

March 2017 Cares Committee Bookshelf: The Song Poet

The Song Poet: A Memoir of My Father, by Kao Kalia Yang. 2016, Metropolitan books. Thank you to UMRA member Linda Lindeke for this review.

Twin Cities Regional Science Fair needs Volunteer Science Judges!

Friday Feb. 24 – Project Judging & Feb. 3 – 19 for Research Paper Judging

Volunteer Science Judges are needed for both the Science Fair and the Research Paper judging. You will be extremely valuable to evaluate and encourage Twin Cities’ students. As in the past, some will advance to state, national, and international competitions, winning awards and scholarships! Contact [email protected] for registration details.

Atul Gawande "Being Mortal" live video Feb 13

Dr. Atul Gawande, noted author of Being Mortal, will be speaking live from Boston.  The event will be streamed across the country, locally at the St. Anthony Main Theatre at 4:00 PM on Monday, February 13.  The event is free, presented in the Twin Cities with the support of the Film Society of Minneapolis St. Paul, the St. Anthony Main Theatre, and Mill City Commons http://millcitycommons.org, Minneapolis' own village. 

Taking classes: Senior Citizen Education Program

If you meet the residency and age requirements (you must be a Minnesota resident aged 62 or older) of the SCEP, you may audit courses free of charge, or take classes for credit at $10 per credit. This applies whether you are degree-seeking, or non-degree. Whether you audit or earn credits for a class, you are responsible to pay any required laboratory, material, or course fees. Fees vary by course. For complete information look at the SCEP Web pages:  http://onestop.umn.edu/academics/senior-citizen-education-program

Triple match? Time to give? Expiring soon?

Consider a 2017 New Year’s Resolution! Give a little of your valuable time for the good deed of volunteering for a project to help the less fortunate. The University Retirees Volunteer Center does not ask for your money, but instead seeks generous patrons who will contribute time. 

Bookshelf Notes: Lab Girl from a researcher's point of view

Lab Girl by Hope Jahren was published in 2016 by Alfred A. Knopf. This review was written by UMRA member and Past President Jean Kinsey.

Any scientist who has worked in a laboratory with research assistants and eager students will identify with many a familiar scene in Lab Girl...

Be a URVC “Phone Companion” for Little Brothers Friends of the Elderly

Too many isolated elders stare at the phone this holiday season, hoping it will ring!

Will you commit yourself to relieving loneliness among elders who have little, if any, family or friendship support in their lives? With just a little time and caring, Phone Companion Volunteers make a big difference in the lives of isolated elderly. Contact the University Retirees Volunteer Center to get started: [email protected]  or 612-625-8016

Tutors needed at Murray Middle School

Murray Middle School provides an intentional intervention program called the “Pilot One-on-One Program” for at-risk students who are academically challenged. The program, now in its ninth year, focuses on students that typically do not have strong home support and are often living in crisis.

What's new on the UMRA website

Your webmasters have enabled the online luncheon reservation service as of November 1, 2016.  You can now make a luncheon reservation for yourself—or yourself and spouse—on the website, and pay for it with your credit card...

Apply for Professional Development Grants for Retirees before December 16th deadline

The Offie of the Provost, Offie of the Vice President for Research, and the U of M Retirees Association have small grants (up to $5,000) to help retirees pursue projects related to their scholarly and/or creative interests. All U of M faculty, P&A, and civil service retirees are eligible to apply, including employees retiring by July, 1, 2017.
 

University Clinical Research Study Participants (Male Only !)

MRI – Brain Antioxidents Study: Stage 3 needs Men for Control Group (Age 65 – 89). Stage 3 does NOT include those who were previous subjects or who have Alzheimer Disease . Read on for more information on this study, or contact [email protected] or 612-625-8016 

Future City Competition needs Volunteer Mentors for: “The Power of Public Space”

The Power of Public Space is the theme for a middle school engineering program for a regional competition sponsored by Success Beyond the Classroom. The University Retirees Volunteer Center seeks technical professionals to be mentors. You would meet a student team at a middle school weekly until January, providing advice, guidance, and technical assistance.

2016-2017 PDGR Abstracts

On February 25, 2016, a committee of retirees, appointed by Frances Lawrenz, Associate Vice President of Research, reviewed and recommended 11 of 12 applications for Professional Development Grants for Retirees.  On March 1, Brian Herman, Vice President for Research, announced the recipients for the 2016-2017 Professional Development Grant for Retirees.