Volunteer Center

All Volunteer Center articles are collected here.

Silver Gophers volunteer to help children experiencing food insecurity

Nearly 20 members of UMRA’s Silver Gopher Service Corps met as a team in mid-April to pack food for school children facing food insecurity at home in Minnesota. The food-packing event, held at the Every Meal Volunteer Center in Roseville, was superbly organized. It felt “good to be involved in a worthy cause,” said Clif Ware, one of the volunteers.

Published:
 
More...
Silver Gopher volunteers at Every Meal, 2023.04.20

Silver Gopher Service Corps steps up to help fill the Class of 2027

An enthusiastic group of stalwart retirees trudged through snow, ice, and wind to greet future students and their families on the University’s first-ever Newly Admitted Students Welcome Day, hosted by the Office of Admissions.

Published:
 
More...
UMRA's Silver Gopher Service Corps made its debut for Newly Admitted Students Welcome Day on April 1, 2023.

Join the Silver Gopher Service Corps

Service to the University and community is a key element in UMRA’s mission, and our members have frequently asked about opportunities to team up with colleagues on activities. In response to these queries, UMRA’s new “Silver Gopher Service Corps” is making its debut in April.

Published:
 
More...
Silver Gopher Service Corps logo

Finding purpose through volunteering

Of all her volunteer experiences, Jeanne Jacobson says she especially finds satisfaction in seeing students learn and come to belong to their communities.

Published:
 
More...
Jeanne Jacobson

For Terry Smith, volunteering is both selfish and selfless

After 40 years at 3M, Terry Smith retired and put his science and language talents to work as a tutor. His volunteering also reflects his other passions: cooking, food availability, and food waste.

Published:
 
More...
Terry Smith

A 'powerfully gentle' leader

UMRA Past President Jerry Rinehart retired from the University as vice provost and dean of students. He is admired for being a “powerfully gentle” leader, and he continues to be an exemplar of service to others.

Published:
 
More...
Jerry Reinhart

International Institute welcomes retiree volunteers

Leaders of the University Retirees Volunteer Center have identified an important volunteer opportunity at the International Institute of Minnesota: helping refugees and asylum seekers complete the complicated paperwork required for visa applications and becoming U.S. citizens.

Published:
 
More...
international institute members

An exceptional postlude to a long career

David Hunter, M.D., retired U of M Medical School professor and interventional radiologist, typically volunteers more than 200 hours annually by participating in University Retirees Volunteer Center opportunities, including Help at Your Door and Academic Integrity Matters.

Published:
 
More...
David Hunter

URVC welcomes new leadership

The University Retirees Volunteer Center welcomes three new members to the new URVC Management Committee.

Published:
 
More...

Reconnecting with a shared commitment to service

The University of Minnesota Retirees Association and the University Retirees Volunteer Center have agreed to reconnect as a single organization to broaden and expand volunteer service opportunities for U of M retirees.

Published:
 
More...

U of M Day of Service Spring 2022

Organized annually by the University of Minnesota Alumni Association, this year’s U of M Day of Service has been expanded from a single day to the full month of April. 

Published:
 
More...
U of M Day of Service

Mentoring undergraduate research scholars

The Retired Faculty Mentorship project is a collaborative effort that provides Undergraduate Research Scholar students with opportunities to work with volunteer faculty mentors (current or retired) to develop and conduct research. 

Published:
 
More...
2021 Undergraduate Research Scholars Sanjana Jayprakash, left, and Luisa Fonseca, right, with mentors Karin and Phillip Peterson. Photo provided by URVC

UMRA to participate in U of M Day of Service

Looking for something interesting and useful to do this spring? Then please consider volunteering for the U of M Day of Service in April.

Published:
 
More...
U of M Day of Service

UMRA-URVC group is exploring merger options

An UMRA-URVC working group is looking at ways in which the two units could join forces to better serve retirees and the University community.

Published:
 
More...

URVC—Making a difference

More than 500 U of M retirees, spouses, partners, and friends currently participate in virtual or on-site volunteer opportunities offered through the University Retirees Volunteer Center. 

Published:
 
More...