'25 FOR 25' SCHOLARSHIP DRIVE

The Retirees Association, which already has a scholarship program for UC Davis and UC Davis Health System employees, will celebrate its 25th anniversary by establishing a new scholarship fund: “25 for 25.”

The first 25 signifies the 25th anniversary and the second 25 signifies the minimum of $25,000 that is required to establish an endowment fund.

For many years, the association has used membership dues to fund its annual scholarship program. It provides $1,000 to an employee who is continuing his or her education.

With the new endowment fund, the association can offer the scholarship in perpetuity without using annual dues, and/or provide multiple awards or higher amounts in the future.

Several board members have already committed a total of $12,000. The campaign will begin officially at the retirees-emeriti fall meeting on Oct. 30.

Supporters may make a one-time gift or a five-year commitment, paying one-fifth each year. For questions or additional information, contact Silvia Hillyer, scholarship chair, in care of the Retiree Center, by phone, (530) 752-5182, or email.

Once a UC Davis faculty member with tenure, always a faculty member, in retirement, as an emeritus. Once a UC Davis staff member, always a staff member, as a retiree.

“Once a member of a family, always a member,” then-Chancellor Theodore L. Hullar said on Oct. 30, 1999, at a reception of the newly organized UC Davis Staff Retirees Association.

This week the association celebrates its 25th anniversary — to the exact day, Oct. 30 — in a joint event with the UC Davis Emeriti Association, which is also celebrating its 25th anniversary, albeit one year late.

A single celebration for both associations is very appropriate, given their joint efforts on several projects over the years, including:

• Abundant Harvest: The History of the University of California, Davis, by Ann F. Scheuring — The associations partnered in 1996-97 to raise funds for the UC Davis History Project, which culminated in the publication of Abundant Harvest in 2001.
• Annual reception for retiring staff and faculty (about 125 people attended the first reception in 2009, and more recent receptions are drawing about 200 people a year).
• Advocacy to establish the Health Care Facilitator Program, and for parking and other retiree benefits.

And, last but not least, the UC Davis Retiree Center, which opened in 2006.

The associations developed the proposal for the center, and succeeded in getting university funding and office space. You’ll find it on the first floor of the Buehler Alumni Center.

“During the past eight years, the Retiree Center has experienced a number of challenges and changes, and has grown to a highly respected organization on the campus with a permanent home in the Buehler Alumni Center,” said Charley Hess, former longtime dean of the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, and a professor emeritus of plant sciences.

“Under the direction of Sue Barnes with the able assistance of Marjorie Ahl, the Retiree Center has met and exceeded our expectations.”

The center, Hess said, provides invaluable support for the Emeriti and Retiree associations, organizes social activities, trips and educational programs for all retirees, and serves the campus as an important connection to retirees, who, by serving on campus committees and task forces, bring experience and institutional memory to the table.

“Many retirees continue to teach, do research and perform service to their professional societies and the community, which helps build the growing recognition of UC Davis as an outstanding public research university,” said Hess, a past president of the Emeriti Association.

Deanna Falge Pritchard said the Retirees Association is similarly thrilled to have the support and benefit provided by the center. “It has enhanced the associations’ activities and outreach efforts as well as provided services and activities for all retirees and emeriti of which there are over 8,000,” said Falge Pritchard, a past president of the association.

“Certainly there has been an increase in the representation and participation of retirees on campus committees resulting in increased visibility and recognition which has been facilitated by the center.”

From that first meeting in 1999, with about 75 people in attendance, the Retirees Association has grown approximately 950 members.

“With the university’s continued support, the association will continue to develop and make more contributions to the university,” Falge poritchard said.

The Retirees Association communicates updates on retiree benefits, including health care, and cost-of-living adjustments; represents retirees at the Council of UC Retiree Associations (CUCRA), which includes all UC campuses and laboratories; and fosters a strong working relationship with the UC Office of the President, UC Davis and the UC Davis Health System as an officially recognized campus affiliate.

The Emeriti Association, with about 450 members, runs and maintains the Video Records Project, capturing UC Davis history as told by emeriti in more than 400 video interviews since 1993.

The association also monitors and advocates for emeriti rights and privileges, and provides a way for emeriti/ae to communicate with campus leaders and further particiapte in campus life.

Both associations, through the Retiree Center, provide a variety of social and educational programs, including Brainfood Talks and field trips.

The anniversary celebration is scheduled for Thursday (Oct. 30) in the Conference Center Ballroom. A reception will begin at 1:45 p.m., and the associations will have their fall meeting from 2:30 to 4 p.m. Chancellor Linda P.B. Katehi will be on hand to offer congratulatory remarks. The program also includes an overview of open enrollment.

UC Davis Emeriti Association

UC Davis Retirees Association