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May 2023

This issue of AROHE Matters reflects the theme of May’s Older Americans Month and shares the stories of six higher education retirees and their diverse aging experiences combating stereotypes of aging and highlighting how communities benefit when older adults remain engaged, independent, and included.

*Seven Sins of the World

*Join Us
*Tell Us Your Story
*About AROHE

This issue of AROHE Matters highlights the stories of retirees who counter stereotypes, stay involved, and continue to contribute. AROHE exists to promote the dreams and goals of retirees.

It is not exactly BREAKING NEWS to say that Covid has altered our daily lives and the way organizations go about their business. Most service organizations, including AROHE, are continuing to define a path into the future as they work to serve the shifting needs of their constituents.

AROHE is committed to enhancing the retirement years and to making this an engaging and fulfilling phase of life. How we meet this goal requires us to monitor our environment and adjust accordingly.

This evolving situation continually confronts the AROHE Board with new questions and tasks. Currently, the Board is considering two big questions. The first question concerns the biennial conference which has traditionally been one of the major ways we bring together our members to exchange information, gain innovative ideas, and seek inspiration for supporting their colleagues. Should we continue to sponsor an in-person conference, offer an online conference like we did during the height of the pandemic, or consider an alternative strategy to convene and motivate the members of the AROHE community?

Second, how do we answer the “WHY?” question when we reach out to potential sponsors for financial assistance? Why should they join us in providing services and support to retirees? Why are we a worthwhile investment? Why will their support enable AROHE to expand our activities in service to our members and enable retirees to remain active contributors to society? We are working to answer these questions in clear and compelling terms that will attract the support we need to fulfill our potential as a key advocate for academic retirees.

The AROHE Board will be considering these questions in the next few months. We encourage you to share your thoughts on these important topics by writing to us at info@arohe.org.

Best wishes,

AROHE President Roger Baldwin

Living Long - Living Well - A Visual/Musical Arts Festival

For members of the University of Cincinnati (UC) Emeriti Association, hearing Louise Aronson’s keynote address and encountering the Age-Friendly University (AFU) principles at AROHE’s virtual fall meeting in 2021 generated discussion and spawned new ideas. We initiated activities to promote the health and wellness of our members, created many new opportunities for members to socialize, and began advocating for the university to join the AFU network.

One of our most ambitious new undertakings was a first-of-its-kind Spring Festival of the Visual and Musical Arts this past March. The festival was a collaboration between the UC Emeriti Association, UC students, and community members, exemplifying the intergenerational principle of an age-friendly university while celebrating the generations-spanning nature of creativity and appreciation of the arts. It showcased the musical and artistic talents of students, emeriti, and alumni from UC’s renowned colleges of Design, Art, Architecture and Planning (DAAP) and the College-Conservatory of Music (CCM), along with invited community members. CCM’s New Horizons Orchestra (designed to give ensemble instruction to adults over age 50 with little or no previous experience on their instrument) participated. Artists were present to discuss the inspiration for their artwork, some of which was featured in a Silent Auction.

All proceeds benefited the UC Emeriti Association’s Endowed Scholarship Fund for underrepresented Gen-1 undergraduate students. This scholarship helps "pay it forward" from our association of retired faculty to future generations of students.

Click here for the photo gallery and festival brochure.

The festival was produced by UC Emeriti Association President Sally Moomaw, CCM emeritus Terence Milligan, and DAAP Emerita Cynthia Lockhart.

Contact: Lynn K. Davis, professor emerita, University of Cincinnati Emeriti Association Board, editor, Emeriti Connection newsletter

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Genealogy - Family History - Life-Turning

As a professor of ceramics at University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, I envisioned my retirement in 2017, as spending all my time dedicated to my art practice.

Then life took another turn. In exploring my family’s genealogy, my husband and I traveled to the Czech Republic in July 2014. I discovered my family’s long history in Southern Bohemia and visited an old synagogue in the small city of Pacov, which was connected to my family. 

The synagogue was in disrepair after many years of being used for storage as the Jewish community no longer existed after the Holocaust. I, with a group of local and international people, formed a non-profit to restore the synagogue. That was eight years ago and now we are coming along with the restoration and a plan for the space to become a museum to remember the former Jewish community and a mission to be a cultural and educational center. I have recently produced a documentary which tells the story of the former Jewish community and the seven Pacov Torah Scrolls that survived the Holocaust and now have homes in congregations in the US and UK.

Consequently, I have been studying the Czech language and visit the Czech Republic yearly. I keep active with an exercise regime of circuit training and Pilates. During Covid, I learned the 108 steps of Yang style Tai Chi. My creativity has expanded into the world of knitting. I have kept a connection with USC as an active member of the Retired Faculty Association (RFA) Board. I am the Chair of the Caldwell Scholarship, given yearly to two high achieving inner city freshmen at USC that come from neighboring high schools. The RFA oversees this scholarship, and it is indeed rewarding to watch these students flourish during their time at USC. It is wonderful to be active within the USC Emeriti Center, which offers wonderful programming such as intergenerational dinners with students and retired faculty, workshops on health and aging, learning about technology and a distinguished lecture series.

Contact: Karen Koblitz, USC associate professor emerita

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An Unofficial "Retiree Whisperer"

As Director of the Wayne State University Emeritus Academy and as unofficial “retiree-whisperer,” I have tried to make retired faculty feel connected to the University and to support their professional activities.

The Academy offers modest financial support for research and for domestic or foreign conference travel. The last annual report showed that in 2021-22 members published four books, thirty-nine articles, and eighteen book chapters. They had 160 conference presentations, interviews and invited lectures. We have regular colloquia in which retired faculty make presentations about their work or discuss their other current activities: the latter include photography, volunteer teaching in an orphanage in Haiti, and teaching and mentoring of medical students in Mexico.

We have had annual conferences on broad topics: for example, “Memory,” “Liberal Arts in the Age of STEM,” “Academic Retirement,” and “Creativity in the Academic Disciplines.” In each of these Emeritus Academy members have presented papers, joining outside speakers and regular faculty in a collective inquiry.

Emeritus Academy members have mentored younger faculty and student and served as judges for undergraduate and graduate research competitions. Some members have volunteered as “facilitators” in meetings of a Detroit voter-education organization, Citizen Detroit, which has sponsored dinner meetings of Detroit voters for the purpose of discussing important topics as well as providing a forum for various candidates for local and state offices. Finally, for several years, the Academy has sponsored both a book group and a life-writing group. In each of these, there is cross-disciplinary representation and vigorous discussion.

Contact: Arthur F. Marotti, director, Wayne State University Emeritus Academy

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Advising on the Design of Fire Stations

Donald L. Collins, emeritus professor of planning and landscape architecture in the College of Architecture, Arts, and Humanities at Clemson University, retired in 2005, but that has not kept him from contributing to his field in unique ways. He has carved out an applied research niche advising architects and fire departments on the design of fire stations.

Since his retirement, he has participated in 21 fire station-related projects, from assessment studies to schematic designs and construction documents. 

Fifteen new fire stations in the U.S. and Canada have been placed online with Don's input. He has successfully advocated for training rooms that double as community meeting rooms at fire stations in Clemson, South Carolina; Santa Monica, California; and Ankeny, Iowa. He has also been an advocate for fire stations that address firefighter welfare issues of physical and mental health and occupational safety. One such example is his insistence that all fitness rooms be placed in high-traffic areas with plenty of opportunity to see into the room because there have been firefighter deaths resulting from solo workouts in isolated fitness areas.

Seven of the 15 fire station designs in which Collins was involved have won design awards. His Brandon, Manitoba, fire station, designed with George Cibinel of Cibinel Architects Ltd., has been ranked among the world’s greatest fire stations.

Collins was selected as the recipient of the 2022 Clemson University Emeritus College Research and Scholarship Award. The Emeritus College established the award to recognize emeritus faculty members who continue to produce extraordinary research and scholarship, either in their disciplines or in new fields.

Contact: Joel Greenstein, Clemson University Emeritus College, AROHE Liaison

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Aging Unbound - Bodyworks Changing Aging at UBC

Members of the University of British Columbia (UBC) Emeritus College can join other retirees in taking advantage of the Bodyworks Changing Aging outreach program designed by the UBC School of Kinesiology to promote healthy aging. This evidence-based program is a specialty class for adults aged 55+ years and has involved people in their 90s. It provides a safe space for like-minded older adults to exercise with supportive instructors. Memory exercises are integrated with physical exercises.

Classes including up to 18 participants are led by certified personal trainers and involve student instructors who are third and fourth year kinesiology students who have First Aid, CPR and Automatic External Defibrillator (AED) training. The program is designed by a clinical exercise physiologist and focuses on strength, mobility, and cardiovascular health through muscle- and bone-strengthening exercises followed by intervals of aerobic exercise with the aim to strengthen muscles used in activities of daily living. Additional focuses include exercises to improve change of direction, reaction time and core stability to improve walking confidence.

Small groups of up to six participants are each coached through the exercise routines by student volunteers. The small groups provide a way for older people to mix with youth and learn more about each other. There is a commitment to provide modifications to accommodate different abilities and limitations as some participants are recovering from injuries or surgery. In combating aging stereotypes, many participants gleefully declare that they are more active and fit than their children and grandchildren!

Contact: Anne Junker, MD, associate professor emeritus (pediatrics), Principal, UBC Emeritus College; Changing Aging participant, University of British Columbia 

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Unexpected Next Life Chapters

I retired in 2010 at 70 after a 43-year University of Minnesota career. I then distanced myself from most university issues and did other things. My memoir, “Unexpected Adventures-Farm Kid to Professor,” and Time Capsule (TC) for my Burley, ID high school class were recently published.

I was a Professor of Animal Science as well as Food Science & Nutrition. During my 43-year career, I had four different UM careers: professor, dean, vice president/provost and finished as associate vice president for UM-wide International Programs. I taught about 3,600 students, advised many undergraduate and graduate students, worked in 19 countries and received numerous awards, including national awards and recognitions for research and organizational leadership. I had a dream career, except for a few things I had to do as vice president/provost like managing the closing of a UM campus! I love retirement!

During retirement, we took our four grandchildren on Idaho and northern Minnesota trips to see where we grew up on farms, went to school, vacationed or enjoyed the mountains, etc. We also learned some history about these areas. These trips led to many fond memories for each of us. Other domestic travels have included many west coast wine trips, visits to National Parks, museums, memorials and winter breaks in Hawaii or Tucson. Our cruises to Alaska, the Greek Isles and a Turkey tour were memorable. I worked briefly in Tanzania, China and Morocco, and received an Honorary Professorship.

Golf is my favorite hobby because it is in beautiful places, a mental and physical challenge, and is with good friends or family. Last year, I shot my age of 83! I also got serious about trading stocks in my “fun account,” and joined the UMN Photo Club. These and reading western history have been enjoyable, learning experiences.

I had an exciting career, an easy transition and now a fulfilling retirement. Not going to an office or lab is very refreshing! In my observations, professors going to an office sometimes delay their retirement transitions and can be problematic!

Contact: C. Eugene ‘Gene’ Allen, emeritus dean and Morse-Amoco distinguished professor, University of Minnesota-Twin Cities

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Retirement Planning Resources and Trends

Preparing for a Graceful Exit: Faculty Retirement Landscape

At its core, retirement from academe rests between two ideas that are often in opposition: What is best for the health of the institution? And how can college retirement strategies help senior faculty get the most out of life once their career has ended?

What’s more, nearly three-quarters of higher-ed faculty ages 49 to 67 said they planned to delay retirement beyond the age of 65, or perhaps not retire at all.

How does this shifting faculty retirement landscape represent a threat to a college’s financial well-being and its ability to deliver high-quality education?

Download The Chronicle’s latest "Insights Report" for a deep dive on this topic.

2021 Profile of Older Americans

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Three "Not-So-Bad" Things on Aging and Longevity

Making the Most of the Multi-Generational Moment

Marc Freedman is the founder and co-CEO of CoGenerate, a company seeking to bridge the divides between people of different ages. He shares his "Brief But Spectacular" take on how to make the most of the multi-generational moment.

Reflective Corner

Wealth without work

Pleasure without conscience

Knowledge without character

Commerce without morality

Science without humanity

Worship without sacrifice, and

Politics without principle

Mahatma Gandhi, 1869-1948

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Come Join Us in Transforming Retirement

Since 2002 AROHE has supported both institutions and individuals by transforming the experience of retirement – the preparation, the transition, and post-retirement programming – into a smooth and productive life-course change.

To renew, join or learn more, visit arohe.org or contact AROHE by emailing info@arohe.org or calling (213) 740-5037.

Tell Us Your Story

AROHE members are encouraged to submit stories that reflect activities, news and events from your retirement organization and campus that highlight the value retirees bring to their colleges and universities. The May issue will reference the Older Americans month theme of Aging Unbound.

Tell us your story of how your retirees explore diverse aging experiences, combat aging stereotypes, and promote flexible thinking about aging. Articles are limited to 250 words. A relevant picture and web links are valued additions to any article.

Share your story for the July issue of AROHE Matters by June 19, 2023 to Patrick Cullinane, editor, at pcullinane@berkeley.edu.

About AROHE

AROHE's mantra is "Transforming Retirement."

AROHE is a nonprofit association that champions transformative practices to support all stages of faculty and staff retirement, their mutually beneficial engagement, and continuing contributions to their academic institutions. By sharing research, innovative ideas, and successful practices, AROHE emphasizes the development and enhancement of campus-based retiree organizations and programs which support this continuing engagement in higher education.

Copyright © 2020 AROHE. All rights reserved.
Contact email: info@arohe.org
Contact phone: 530-219-1049

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