AUAR

Welcome from the President of the Association of the University of Akron Retirees

Dear Colleagues:

As your president I want to assure you:  Yes, indeed, there is life after Akron U  ; and, I want to encourage you to join our organization today as a way to help you make the transition into a rewarding and fulfilling retirement. AUAR was founded 14 years ago by a miscellaneous group of retirees from various parts of the university who were proud of the unique contributions they had made to the teaching and research done at this institution.   They wished in their afterlife [i.e. retirement] to maintain contact with the many colleagues with whom they had engaged in this common enterprise.  It is also a way to meet new colleagues and their families who worked at other parts of the campus and in disciplines far different than our own.  They like to keep up with all the good things happening at their University now.

On the one hand, AUAR has a serious side that is admittedly, self-serving: we cooperate with OCHER and ORTA in monitoring the services of the Ohio pension systems (STRS, PERS and SERS) and our health benefits.  Furthermore, we lobby the State Legislature and the US Congress whenever the specter of mandatory Social Security to replace the pensions raises its head.

On the other hand, AUAR has developed a solid program of activities that help members enjoy our retirement more.  We have monthly luncheons with distinguished guest speakers on the second Wednesday from 11: 30 a.m. to 1: 00 p.m. in the Martin Center.  After 14 years we still keep finding new, dynamic speakers from Northeast Ohio and hear about new books that are just published.  Sometimes we hear travelogues about fascinating overseas junkets our members make together.

We also have charter bus excursions that take you away on one-day adventures to unlikely destinations in neighboring communities where we go on guided tours of factories and museums.  We hold special events too, like our Chili/Soup Supper in the Autumn and the  Lobster & Suds  in May.  In fact, eating well seems to be a focal point of much of our time together!

We have been able to sustain AUAR membership at over 300.  But we are always on the look-out for new members to replenish the ranks left empty by fallen comrades. We like to find new volunteers to serve on the Executive Board of AUAR.  Volunteer!  Bring us your new ideas!  We welcome your support!  AUAR dues are minimal, still $10.00/year after your first year of retirement, which is free.  Members receive the AUAR Newsletter via e-mail or snail mail.  We are also endowing an undergraduate-student scholarship fund and we welcome contributions at any time and our goal is $100,000. We are about one-third of the way there.

Come join us-- and enjoy us-- soon!

Bob Gandee