HISTORY OF THE OSU EMERITI ASSOCIATION

 

1988—1989

            In 1988, the OSU Emeriti Association was organized as the OSU Emeritus Faculty Association to promote the general welfare of all OSU retirees and to enhance professional and social interaction between the University and the OSU retired faculty members. A Constitution and Bylaws were adopted. These documents provided for an executive committee composed of a Chair, Vice-Chair, Secretary, Treasurer, Past-Chair (after the first year), and ten Councilors. Vice-President James H. Boggs and a committee composed of Jeanne Agnew, Richard Jungers, Kenneth McCollom, and Robert Henrickson (Chair) were instrumental in getting the Association organized. The Association enlisted 166 annual members and 33 life members during the first year and held seven meetings.

 

1989—1990

            During the second year, the Association opened its membership to OSU Administrative and Professional retirees. The word “faculty” was dropped from the title, making it the OSU Emeritus Association. Two task forces were established. One was on Creative Retirement and was chaired by James S. Plaxico. The other was chaired by Lela O'Toole and was charged with establishing an Emeritus Center. As a part of the OSU Centennial Celebration, many Emeriti members joined a Centennial Ambassadors group to host special events during the Centennial year. Eight Association meetings were held.

 

1990—1991

            During the third year, space for an Emeritus Center became available in rooms 101 and 102 of Home Economics East. It was decided to call the new center the “Emeriti Center” which precipitated another change in the name of the Association to the “OSU Emeriti Association”. The OSU Foundation gave the group $3,000.00 to help outfit the new center. A series of activities was held in the new center during the second semester.

            The task force on Creative Retirement gathered much data on retirement facilities from around the country. A proposal was submitted to the OSU Administration asking that the Administration become involved in the planning process. The Administration encouraged the task force but avoided outright endorsement to avoid assuming a nebulous financial obligation. The Association was instrumental in the University's negotiating a modification to the contract with the American Fidelity Insurance Company, resulting in significant savings to insurance premiums for some three hundred retirees. In addition to numerous activities in the Emeriti Center, monthly programs for the entire Association membership were held.

 

1991—1992

            In the fourth year, membership reached 320 and a yearbook was produced and distributed. Three quarterly newsletters were produced and mailed to all members and a monthly “update” was distributed to those attending regular meetings. The Creative Living and Retirement Center study was continued. OSU Architecture students presented 23 scale models and six possible sites for consideration by the Association and the University. Two sites and models were selected for further study.   

A proposed Emeriti mentoring project was well attended by Emeriti volunteers; but, training in the use of computers and demand for Emeriti services did not materialize. The Emeriti Ambassadors served at a number of University events. The Emeriti Center furnishings were further improved.

            At the annual meeting in April of 1992, the Constitution and Bylaws were updated and approved. General goals of the Association were set to: 

1.      enhance professional and social interaction among retirees and OSU,

2.      encourage communication between retirees and the University's faculty and administration, and

3.      promote the general welfare of Oklahoma State University retirees.

 

1992—1993

            The fifth year proved to be a time of growth and progress for the Association as membership grew to 429. Activities at the center increased greatly with new types of programs, dinners, and interest groups. An Investment Study group, a Bridge Club, and an Exercise Class added new participants. Equipment and furnishings were donated to upgrade the center. The Emeriti Ambassadors took part in at least fifteen different campus events. Progress also continued in the study of plans for a Creative Retirement Center. Overall, the year was very positive with good participation.

 

1993—1994

            Membership was extended to the USDA & ASCS retirees. Membership in the Emeriti Association included 319 life members and 71 annual members. In May of 1993, our Association hosted a luncheon for the visiting delegation from Kameoka, Japan. OSU Emeriti Retirement, Inc. was officially chartered with sixteen board members to continue the development of a Creative Living Center. Approval was given for the addition of room 103 of the Home Economics East Building to the Emeriti Center for use as an office and computer center. The Harrisons repainted both rooms of the Center. There was increased use of the Center, which was open daily thanks to a number of dedicated volunteers. The monthly potluck dinners and luncheons following the Association General Assembly meetings were well attended. During the University Benefits Fair our Ambassadors assisted, an Emeriti booth was manned, and the President presented (at the seminars) a summary of the activities of the Association. A newly formed coffee club discussion group became active, an additional evening bridge group formed, and several successful bus trips were offered. The logistics of setting up a library at the Center were approved and permanent parking permits were obtained for retirees. Nine monthly Updates and four quarterly Newsletters kept the membership well informed.

 

1994—1995

            This year brought the OSU Emeriti Association closer to reality in acquiring a first class Creative Living Retirement Center. The site envisioned was a structure near the University with its cultural and educational opportunities. OSU Emeriti Retirement, Inc. (which was formed in 1993 to advance plans) submitted a request for University land on which to build. President Halligan turned down this request and suggested that we work with private developers. Thus, hopes began to wane for the members who had spent countless hours researching, studying, and visiting existing retirement establishments.

 Fortunately, a series of events in 1995 rekindled the dream for a retirement center that would satisfy the lifestyle and physical needs of OSU Emeriti. Woodridge Village, under new management and a new name, Golden Oaks, expressed interest in involving the OSU Emeriti Association in planning and executing the expansion and improvement of the existing structure. Without financial obligations on the part of the Association, future developments could provide the Creative Living Retirement Center that was envisioned five years previously when planning began.

            In April of 1995, the Investment Study Group became the OSU Emeriti Investment Club¾a General Partnership. Henceforth, members of the Club invested and studied investment procedures. Emeriti Ambassadors answered many requests from the University to serve at receptions, graduations, the Benefit Fair, and other University functions. Requests were also met for recorders at grievance committee hearings. Improvements to the Emeriti Center this year included a second dishwasher, voice mail, a television set, a VCR, a slide projector, a computer, a printer, and small kitchen items. Program selections at the general assemblies and potluck dinners provided a good balance between entertainment and intellectual stimulation. Potluck dinners were well attended and the dinners were continued during the summer. Most assemblies were well attended. Special programs were presented on Health Care and Insurance Benefits. The Communications Committee was divided into two groups. One group was responsible for NewsPress articles and the yearbook. The other group was responsible for the Update and the Newsletter. Both groups provided excellent publicity. President Halligan addressed the Emeriti Association in November and assured us that our group¾with 435 members¾is essential to many University functions. The book and video collection, with a checkout system, is now available. A Coffee Club and afternoon and evening Bridge Clubs met regularly. A highlight of the year’s activities was the three-day trip to Branson to see the Christmas shows along the strip and view the spectacular lighting. We are fortunate to have many professional artists in the University community. Through their generosity, we are privileged to enjoy beautiful art in the Center. Adding to this aesthetic aura, the Decorating Committee, following a different theme each month, delighted us with their table creations. Sincere appreciation is extended to twenty some Emeriti volunteers who keep the Center open from year to year during weekdays. The need for more space became apparent to accommodate many of our functions. The need for a secretary¾at least part time¾was recognized. These two items continue as major concerns for the immediate future.

 

1995—1996

            This year saw a continuation of the potluck dinners, bridge sessions, good programs, investment club, movies, and coffee group of the past years. In addition, a great deal of effort was spent with the owners of the Golden Oaks Retirement Village to identify how we could assist them in developing a facility that would satisfy the needs of our members. Also of concern was how we could help the owners meet their expectations. After continued meetings, a few members bought into the village but this was not sufficient to meet the needs of the owners. However, Golden Oaks is still a viable option for those with certain needs and it is flourishing.

            Some additional improvements were made to the Emeriti Center. With the help of donations from some of the members, ceiling fans were purchased and a contract with the Physical Plant was negotiated to install the fans. Association funds were used to purchase a new refrigerator to replace the two used ones.

Cain’s Coffee Company furnished and installed a new coffee center. Also, the Association purchased enough additional silverware to complete 95 settings. At the November potluck dinner, 84 people were served although some had to be seated in the kitchen. This was the largest attendance for a dinner and stretched the capacity of the Center.

            A letter was sent to the University Administration requesting help in obtaining a part time secretary and additional space in the Geography Building (formerly Home Economics East). Their response did not provide much hope. President Halligan offered the use of Suite 1600 in the Student Union when it was not scheduled for University functions.

            At the General Meeting held in May of 1996, the Physical Plant Director, John Houck, indicated that in a couple of years the Geography Building would be closed and eventually razed. That time estimate proved to be greatly overstated.

 

1996—1997

            This year could appropriately be called the “moving year”.  We had been told in May of 1995 that the Geography Building would be closed and razed within the next few years. During the summer months, this prediction turned out to be now instead of two to four years down the road. Mr. Houck informed us that the Geography Building would be closed in a few months and that there would be no heat or running water in the building during the winter. Past Chairs, Mary Frye and Kyle Yates, met with the Physical Plant Director over the summer to try to find an acceptable site for our Center. By September, we were still looking but nothing satisfactory had been located. During the month, Mr. Houck suggested a location in the northeast wing of Bennett Hall. He indicated that there were two rooms just inside the north door that were currently being used for storage that could be renovated for our use. He suggested that these two rooms could be completely redecorated to provide us with a meeting room and a kitchen. In September, several members of the Council along with Chair A. B. Harrison and two past-Chairs met with Mr. Houck at the Bennett Hall site to hear his description of the proposed renovation and how it could be used for our Center. Everyone present felt that the rooms were too small to be practical for our Center but lacking any other offer of space, there was agreement that we should accept this offer so that we would have a place for our Emeriti Center. The Council, at its next regular meeting, formally voted to accept this offer.

            Activities continued as usual in the Emeriti Center in the Geography Building until cold weather (actually freezing) with no heat in the rooms forced us out. In the meantime, work had started very slowly at the new site. We started using the new meeting room in Bennett Hall in January but did not have use of the kitchen until May.

            Hookup for coffee service in the meeting room was completed in May. The dishwashers were installed in the kitchen and the TV and VCR were also installed. A new copying machine was purchased and installed in the meeting room. A new public address system was purchased¾primarily for use at the First Friday dinners.

            Since the meeting room at the new Center was believed to be too small to accommodate our Friday night dinners, we held our First Friday meals and programs in the Spirit Room that adjoins the Bennett Hall Cafeteria. Emeriti and guests purchased tickets and went through the cafeteria line for their meals. Attendance at these dinners was good (ranging from 40 to 70 people) and excellent programs were presented.

The usual activities that included the Investment Club, Coffee Club, Movie Club, and Bridge Clubs were held regularly in the new Center. General meetings continued to be held in the Case Study Rooms of the Student Union.

            Letters were sent to the Administration (Executive Vice-President Marvin Keener) indicating that our members were not pleased with the new location due to its lack of adequate space (especially office and storage space). Drs. Birdwell, Keener, and Beer (all University Vice-Presidents and having some influence over the well being of our Association) were present at a reception / Open House held in the Center in May. They, as a group, agreed that we needed more space¾particularly for office and storage. It was agreed that we could use the small room just inside the west door (called the smoking room) as office space for the summer of 1997. It was also agreed that we could use space in a mechanical maintenance room across the hall from the custodial closet for storage space. This would provide storage for such things as tables, chairs, file cabinets, and other large items that needed to be stored.

            A revision of the Constitution was approved at the annual business meeting held at the last General Meeting of 1997. This revision made a significant change in the administrative structure of the Association, providing for the annual election of two vice-chairs, one for administration and one for activities. Along with this came recommendations for redistribution of responsibilities between the chair and the two vice-chairs. Don Holmes was elected to the office of Vice-Chair for Administration and Hilda Waller was elected Vice-Chair of Activities.

            There seemed to be a consensus among the Council members as well as the general membership that we should continue to press the Administration for larger and more suitable quarters for our Center.

 

1997—1998

            This was a year of adjusting. Everyone has been considerate of the need for adjusting, especially the Activities Committee whose members have responded very well to the challenges of utilizing our significantly smaller quarters. They have developed some innovative activities.

            Starting early, good use was made of the Center with the meetings of the Coffee Club, the Investment Club, Bridge Clubs, Movie Club, and the various committees. In May of 1997, the Activities Committee held an Open House to show off our new quarters. Even though participation by our members was low, some of the key University Administrators attended.

            In July, a hamburger potluck dinner was held in the Center with the hamburgers furnished by the Activities Committee and prepared by the Waller family. This new event was well attended and demonstrated that we could accommodate a fairly large group with creative planning.

            During the summer, two classes of bridge instruction were given by Cecil and Martha Maynard and were well received. Also, the First Friday dinners continued with good attendance and interesting programs. Some were potlucks held in the Center and associated areas and others were cafeteria style in Bennett or Willham Cafeterias.

General meetings were held each month, with the exception of June, July, and August, with a variety of interesting programs. Some of the meetings were tours to the Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Department facilities and the Oklahoma Food and Agricultural Products Research Technology Center. Both tours were well attended and enjoyed.

            Another new activity this year was co-sponsoring the Annual Holiday Dinner with the students and staff of Bennett Hall. The theme was “Peace Through Shared Traditions”. Our Association provided several decorated trees and approximately one hundred table decorations. Members also assisted in decorating the entry and gathering areas. This activity was held as part of the charitable fund raising programs of Bennett Hall students. Continuing activities were the out-of-town tours arranged by the Henricksons. The most notable was the pre-Christmas tour to Branson, Missouri. A complete listing of the monthly events is given in the 1997/1998 Emeriti Directory.

            Our Emeriti Ambassadors program continued throughout the year and is considered an important activity by the University administration. This program is viewed as a way for us to support the University and to become a bigger part of the University Community. This year the Ambassadors assisted with the University Convocations, Commencement, registration at workshops, art exhibit security, Heritage Lunch, Staff Appreciation Day, and in providing subjects for research projects. Individual members, through various departments, provided other assistance. Unfortunately, member response to this program has been declining.

            Early on, it became evident that our new quarters were not as large as we had envisioned and that we would have to continue to seek larger permanent quarters more suitable for our needs. The University Administration is well aware of our needs for a more suitable, larger, permanent location. Until the new construction underway or planned on campus is completed, there is not much chance of finding a more suitable location. However, in the meantime, we can hope that something new might occur that would provide what we need. Residing in a residence hall has been a learning experience for us as well as for the hall coordinators. Since Bennett Hall is locked during the summer and University Holidays, it was necessary to obtain keys for those who wanted to use the Center. Locks seemed to be changed each year and this posed the problem of maintaining access to the Center. Finally, just before Christmas, all of the technical and operational details were solved to provide the use of automatic ID card access to our area. ID card use requires Emeriti members to obtain University ID cards, which are then programmed into the system. Cards for spouses are now available from University ID Services in room 412 of the Student Union.

            Implementing the new Association administrative structure with two Vice-Chairs has been a challenge. To help improve the operation of the Association next year, a set of expected tasks or duties is being developed to provide a guide for each position. This should reduce the number of surprises that might occur during a member’s term of office. This year everyone has worked hard and has been very accommodating in order for us to have a successful year.

Recommendations for the upcoming year are to stress the need and to somehow encourage members to become more involved in supporting the University through volunteer activities such as the Emeriti Ambassadors’ program, to continue to utilize our quarters to the fullest extent but subtly show that we need a larger space, and to continue to be informed of possible changes or expansion of University facilities that might be adapted for our use.

 

1998—1999

The 1997 – 1998 annual report by the Association Chair characterized the period as a “Year of Adjustments”. This past year might be viewed as “Another Year of Adjusting and Adapting”.

Membership in the Association reached 484 of which 382 were life members and 102 were annual members. This is a gain of 41 in total membership since the previous year.

During the course of the year, changes were made in the Constitution and Bylaws. The fiscal year was changed to run from July 1st through June 30th and the titles of the chair and vice-chairs were changed to president and vice-presidents. Other changes were made in the Constitution and Bylaws to clarify the role of Councilors.

The First Friday dinners continued throughout the year with a variety of locations and formats that included potluck dinners, cafeteria dinners, and a cookout. The dinners were served at Taylor’s Dining Room, the Community Center of the Brumley Apartments, the Family Resource Center, Bennett Hall, and Willham Hall. Each dinner included an entertaining program, and was well attended.

Three successful one-day tours were conducted during the year. These included trips to the Gilcrease Museum, Braum’s Dairy, and the Tall Grass Prairie Preserve.

Members of the Emeriti Association participated in the annual Bennett Hall holiday dinner by assisting with decorations and ticket sales. Members also served as subjects for OSU research projects. The Emeriti Ambassadors assisted with a College of Business Administration Convocation, a Heritage Society luncheon, and two Student Government elections.

Emeriti Center space in East Bennett was well utilized throughout the year. In addition to Council and committee meetings, the space was used for monthly meetings of the Movie Club, the Investment Club, the afternoon Bridge Group, and the evening Bridge Group. In September, a new member luncheon was held at the Emeriti Center. In May, members of the Emeriti Association Council were treated to a luncheon with both newly elected and retiring officers and Councilors in attendance.

General meetings were held monthly from September through May. All meetings other than the January and May meetings were held in Case Study One of the Student Union. The January meeting took place at the Stillwater Medical Center and the May meeting was held in the College of Engineering Building. The meetings included presentations by excellent speakers covering a variety of interesting and informative topics.

 The Benefits Committee identified and monitored benefits available to OSU retirees in the areas of health insurance, death benefits, and campus benefits. A list of campus benefits may be found in this directory.

Plans for a Creative Living Retirement Community moved forward. The concept adopted is the establishment of a residential facility affiliated with the University that provides the opportunity for continuing education, recreation, entertainment, and service to the University and the community. Prospects for an adequate Emeriti Association Center emerged during the year. The OSU Alumni Association agreed to include the Emeriti Association in plans for a new on-campus Alumni Association building. The projected time for fund raising and construction is five years.

By most measures 1998 – 1999 was a successful year, but many interesting challenges lie ahead.

 

1999—2000

 “BRIDGING THE MILLENIA” is perhaps the best way to characterize this past year of the OSU Emeriti Association. Many new and exciting developments have occurred to make this a most memorable year in the history of the organization. Possibly the two most outstanding opportunities presented during the year would be the offer of land, by the University, on which to realize our long-held dream of a retirement community and, of equal importance, the possibility of having a permanent home in the newly planned Alumni Association building on the OSU campus.

By June 30th, the end of the 1999—2000 year, our membership had increased to 495 members, with 96 Annual dues payers and 399 Life members. Visitors to the Emeriti Center in East Bennett Hall have topped 810, with this number indicating only those who actually signed the register.

Early in the year, the records of the Association kept in the Vice President’s office, since the inception of the organization in 1988, were transferred to Special Collections, in the campus library. The Archives/History Committee will now have a permanent repository for records of the Association.

The Emeriti Ambassadors, established at the time of the OSU Centennial Celebration in 1990, have continued to serve the University at a number of events throughout the year. During the past year, 24 ambassadors (out of the current 34 volunteers) served at 48 events across the campus. A history of the Ambassadors was compiled during this, their tenth year, and a copy of the document has been included in the archives of the Association in the campus library.

During the year, two Newsletters were sent to members in order to update them on activities, benefits, and news of the Association. Monthly UPDATES, including a calendar of monthly meetings and events, were made available to members at the Emeriti Center, the Association General Meetings, and at the First Friday dinners. In addition to articles in the NewsPress relating to programs for the dinners and general meetings, publicity about these events also appeared each day, for a week prior to the event, in the Community Calendar of the NewsPress. To further publicize programs of the Association, a dedicated group of members served on the Calling Committee to remind members of dinners, general meetings, and other events.

The Policies and Procedures document, initiated last year, was revised and updated. Major changes were also made and approved by the membership relating to the Constitution and Bylaws of the Association. These documents, governing the operation of the Association, will appear in their revised forms in the 2000—2001 Membership Directory.

The First Friday dinners, proven to be one of the best-attended activities of the Association, drew crowds of up to 92 members and guests. During the year, over 800 people attended these events. In July and August, potluck dinners were held at the Family Resource Center; but, beginning in the fall, a majority of those attending on a regular basis indicated a desire to have buffet dinners. These were arranged with the Willham Hall cafeteria manager. As a special favor, a low-calorie line was offered for members making an effort to watch their calorie intakes.

Art exhibits provided in the Emeriti Center continued to be of interest and exposed the membership to a variety of artistic styles and media. Artists displaying work have been both members and artists from the community.

Along with two original Bridge Clubs that meet monthly on Thursday and Friday, a new Beginners Club was established and is accepting additional members.

The Investment Club continued to be successful in attracting and holding members and by year’s end had a waiting list. The development of a new club is anticipated for the 2000—2001 year.

With a number of members reaching the age of 90 and older, in December, with the birthday of the first Past President to reach the age of 90, a new “club” was formed with the title “THE 90+ CLUB”. All members who reach the age of 90 years or older, beginning in the year 2000, will have special recognition in the form of an Emeriti Association birthday card. At present, there are fourteen members in the club.

Throughout the year, a number of members have taken advantage of one or several one and two-day trips, sponsored by the Association, to visit points of interest in the state and beyond. The Branson Christmas trip is always a crowd pleaser, while other trips to Bricktown, Cowboy Hall of Fame, Pollard Theater, Mason’s Pecans and Peanuts facility, the Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History, Murrah Memorial Site, and a visit to Honor Park in Muskogee to view the azaleas are only a few of the trips and tours enjoyed by members.

This year has been a busy and eventful time… a perfect beginning for the NEW MILLENIUM.

 

2000—2001

 

The fiscal year opened with a summer of monthly dinner meetings held on the first Friday of each month. Through the courtesy of Past President Bob Henrickson, arrangements were made with Jim Mott, manager of Willham dining area, for meetings to be held, with dinner to be served cafeteria-style, in the dining hall.

The First Friday Dinners were always a pleasant interlude for the members. Some of the “regulars” who worked every month to make them successful were Bob and Alberta Henrickson, Lowell and Pauline Walters, Lois Mickle, Dan Lingelbach and David Batchelder. Programs were Cecil Acuff - July, Murriel Gilliam – August, Jerry Gill – September, Richard Dodder – October, George Carney – November, Ron Beer – March, Elizabeth Rogers – April, Steve Sadler – May and Fred Causley – June. Our thanks go to program chair David Batchelder for this outstanding year of entertainment.

Speakers for the monthly membership meetings were Mark Galliart – September, Jim Hromas – October, Louise Schroeder – November, Sharrel Tye – January, Kay Stewart – February, Margaret Essenberg – March, Robert Darcy – April and Harry Birdwell – May. Esther Winterfeldt was program chair for these meetings.

It became necessary for President-elect Esther Winterfeldt to serve as moderator for the organization for all meetings held in September and October due to the absence of President Rouse who underwent heart bypass surgery in Tulsa in August. Rouse returned as moderator of all meetings in November.

Until last year, our archives were housed in Vice-President Keener’s office. Roscoe Rouse, then the organization’s historian transferred them to the OSU library. LeRoy Fischer, current archivist and historian is now receiving all papers, documents, minutes and other materials issued by units of the organization for transfer to the library.

Committee workers include Hilda Waller and Alberta Henrickson who have formed a weekly beginner’s bridge group. Some current members are reported to be ready to move up into a regular bridge club that is meeting in the center.

Jo Ann Seamans continues to issue the monthly Update and Mary Lou Sare faithfully supplies copy to the NewsPress regarding the Friday Friday Dinner and general meeting speakers.

A website for the Association was created and developed this year by Council member Virginia Krenn. The volume of information it affords users is significant.

The policies and procedures committee in it’s annual report noted the following major changes to be incorporated in the 2001-2002 document:

#13 A job description is given for the Recording Secretary

#15 A new assignment deals with bulletin board responsibilities

#17 Parking matters will be handled by the benefits committee.

#24 The president “shall provide written job descriptions to all candidates”

“Officer’s duties begin 7/1” was removed.

In the procedures section, the committee deleted #3 which dealt with actions taken regarding the councilors/officers not regularly attending meetings and/or not fulfilling their assignments.

Larry Jones presented a list of 21 retirees and 10 deceased retirees from the university over the past year. Dan Lingelbach was Chair of the Policies and Procedures Committee. The Creative Retirement Committee Chair, Esther Winterfeldt, reported that she continued meeting with the Vice President of the Stillwater Medical Center and Vice President’s Keener and Birdwell. A contract was drawn up between the medical center and Pro-Matura, Inc., of Oxford, MS, for initial feasibility studies. Two surveys have been completed. Twenty acres of land north of the campus have been designated for the facility and results of the surveys justify such a facility in Stillwater. Action on the part of the OSU regents is required for the Emeriti use of the land.

Membership chair Joe Owen reported at the close of the year that there were 404 life members and 105 annual pay members, brining total membership to a record 509 people. Owen detailed his efforts to contact members and prospective members, provide membership information for the directory and other duties. He recommends pursuing the proposal made earlier that the duties of the membership committee be divided and parceled out to three or four parties. Owen’s work has been time consuming and we sincerely appreciate his diligence. Owen followed E.L. Stair who resigned in midyear. Stair’s contributions were numerous and significant.

The president received a monthly report from the S.A.L.T. Council of which our member, Lavon Richardson, is Chair. Their work involves assistance throughout the county – primarily to the elderly. George Waller served as Chair of the Constitution and Bylaws Committee. There were no changes in either document recommended to him by the council in the past year.

The treasurer’s reports show that the year began with the amount of $1,777.80 in the Bursar’s Emeriti Account and ended in May with a balance of $93.50. The mark report shows that an error occurred in the University Duplicating Services charging $656.95 to the Bursar’s Emeriti Account whereas in the past that charge has been paid out of the Vice President’s Emeriti Account. There is a portion of the Emeriti Foundation Account that can be made available for association use when necessary. The treasurer, however, wisely decided not to exercise the right to use those funds as there were expected to be incoming dues to replenish the Bursar’s account. The Foundation’s Emeriti account was reported to be $ 59,164.88 in May.

A major accomplishment of the Benefit’s Committee chaired by Russell Conway was the addition of a Benefits Committee Home Page to the Emeriti website. Research has been conducted to formulate links to other sites and resources for seniors. Chairman Conway was constantly in touch with state legislation regarding retired educators and brought important findings to his committee and to council and membership meetings of the association.

With the kind assistance of Peggy Lawson at the computer, the president completed a newsletter that went out to every member of the organization in January. Plans were made to mail a second newsletter in May, but the Bursar’s account reflected a negative figure. The cost of reproducing and mailing a newsletter would come to roughly $700, and the president judged it best not to put the organization into such indebtedness.

Having reached a benchmark in the past year in membership numbers, we are proud of having passed the 500 mark. This, in view of the fact that our losses are heavy with retirees leaving the sate and the number of deaths we have suffered.

In closing, the president would like to thank all those who worked closely and diligently with him to carry the organization through another year. Councilors were tremendous to sit through long and tedious sessions, many keeping 100% attendance records. He regrets having to miss the first two months of his active term – September and October – and he owes a debt to President-elect Winterfeldt for filling his place so ably. Many thanks also to Recording Secretary Susan Richardson who performed beautifully in transcribing some difficult debate sessions in council. I thank all of you for giving me the opportunity to serve as your president.

 

2001—2002

  The Emeriti Association had a productive year with interesting and informative programs and a wide range of activities. The president is deeply grateful to Council members who ably represented the membership in all deliberations and to all those who served on committees or donated time in other ways. Without the dedication of these members, our Association could not function.

This was a year of trying out new formats for the general meetings in response to concerns regarding low attendance and participation. The President-elect, Larry Jones, planned a series of meetings in different locations including the OSU Library, the Wes Watkins Center, the Meridian Technology Center, the OSU Wellness Center and the Student Union. Outstanding speakers presented informative programs and refreshments were served at several of the meetings. It was generally agreed that the meetings were successful and attendance improved.

The Friday evening dinners and programs continued with attendance ranging between 60 and 90. The meetings were held in the Willham Cafeteria except in January. Informative and entertaining speakers were the highlights of the dinners. A new sound system purchased by the Association substantially increased the quality of the programs.

The treasurer, Helmer Sorenson, reported a balance of $957.54 in the Bursar’s account and $10,792.66 in the OSU Foundation account at the beginning of the year. We had limited activity in expenditures during the year because of the low balance in the treasury. In March, the Council and later the general membership voted to increase the annual dues to $15.00 for individuals and to $25.00 for couples. At the same time, life memberships were increased to $150 for individuals and to $200 for couples. It was also voted to remove $11,000 from the OSU Foundation account and invest the funds in an accessible insured, interest-bearing account. The dues increase went info effect this year. In April, Dr. Sorenson resigned for health reasons and Robert Henrickson completed the year as Treasurer.

In September 2001, Joe Owen, Membership Chair, reported that there were 414 life members and 99 annual pay members for a total of 513 members. Membership Directories were published and distributed early in the year. Virginia Krenn continued this outstanding and time-consuming job in a timely and very commendable manner. Jo Ann Seamans and Hilda Waller developed a brochure for new retirees and new members of the Association. The Council voted to become a member of the Association of Retirement Organizations in Higher Education (AROHE) and the application and dues were submitted.

The Finance Committee chaired by Norman Durham, initiated a fund drive to raise $25,000 for the Emeriti Center in the anticipated Alumni Association building. Modern, spacious quarters for the Emeriti Association have been included in the plans for the building, which is to be built with private funds. A committee was appointed and contacts initiated with the Association to solicit donations. Larry Shell from the Alumni Association worked closely with the committee to develop materials, pledge cards and drawings of the facilities. By April 2002, $63,000 from, 26 families and individuals was raised. The drive is continuing.

Planning continued with Vice President Mark Galliart of Stillwater Medical Center. The feasibility study conducted by Pro-Matura, Inc of Oxford, MS, was completed with information about preferred housing, costs and services as determined by their survey of Emeriti faculty and alumni from Oklahoma and five surrounding states. In April, the Council received a presentation in a meeting at the Medical Center from two representatives of Greystone Development Company of Dallas – the development company retained by SMC. It is expected that Pahses I and II of a development plan will be completed this summer. At this point, planning continues.

Vice President Lois Mickle coordinated the range of activities with the committee chairs. Activities included bridge clubs, the calling committee, courtesy, the investment club and travel. Jack and Jodelle Stout arranged a number of trips throughout the year and interest and participation were very good. The Ambassadors group was active at several events including monitoring student elections in the spring.

Larry Jones represented the Emeriti Association at the Faculty Council meetings and other members served on various committees of the Council. Virginia Krenn continued the development and refinement of the website. Joe Ann Seamans continued writing and distributing the monthly calendar and UPDATES. Mary Lou Sare continued excellent coverage of the association events through the NewsPress. There was no activity or changes in the Constitution or Bylaws during the year.

The Benefits Committee, chaired by Russell Conway, was very active during the year. Legislative activities included the retirement funds and HealthChoice Insurance changes. He and Harold Sare traveled throughout the state on behalf of the Emeriti Association and other organizations regarding these issues. Members were provided with extensive monthly updates of these activities.

The Council adopted the following Mission Statement:

The Mission of the OSU Emeriti Association is to provide programs and activities that contribute to the ongoing educational and interpersonal interests of retirees and that provide continued interaction with the University and University affairs.

LeRoy Fischer worked closely with the library staff to collect and archive association records.

As indicated in this report, several new activities were initiated and others continued. The Association is in a healthy position and is fulfilling the mission put forth by the Council and membership. The Association moved forward on several fronts during the year.

 

2002—2003

  The year 2002 – 2003 was a productive year for the OSU Emeriti Association. The Association continued to be active in a wide range of activities, continually striving to serve the needs and interests of the membership. The success of the Association is a function of the willingness of its members to serve in various capacities. The president is very grateful to the capable and dedicated officers and councilors who served the Association this year, as well as to those who served on various committees or gave of their time in other ways to make our organization strong and vibrant. The primary activities for the year are described in the following paragraphs.

Membership: Membership in the Association is 526 with 420 life members and 106 members who pay annual dues. The membership has increased at a rate of about 2 % per year for the past three years and is therefore an area on which we need to work. Due to health reasons, Virginia Krenn did not work on the membership directory last year, but has graciously volunteered to assume this responsibility again for the coming year.

General Meetings: In a continuing effort to increase attendance at the General Meetings, the same approach used last year was used again this year. President-Elect, Ron Beer planned a series of interesting and informative meetings at different locations hoping that the combination of good programs and the opportunity to see new facilities on campus and around Stillwater would increase attendance. It was generally agreed that the programs and the locations were good, however, we continue to struggle to improve attendance.

First Friday Dinner Meetings: The First Friday Dinner meetings continued throughout the year and continue to be very successful. The average attendance for the year was about 70 to 75. All of the dinners except for January were in the Wilham Cafeteria. In January we celebrated the fifteenth anniversary of the Emeriti Association with a potluck dinner at the First Christian Church with slightly over one hundred in attendance.

Finances: Treasurer, Robert Henrickson, reported a balance of $12, 100.44 in the OSU Foundation account and $3,248.87 in the Credit Union account in September 2002. Expenditures throughout the year were minimal because of limited finances. To attempt to improve the financial situation of the Association, the membership voted to increase the cost of the meal at the First Friday Dinner from $6.00 to $7.00. At the April 2003 General Meeting, a balanced budget of $10,734.00 was presented to the member by Treasurer, Robert Henrickson. The budget, the first ever for the Association, was voted on and approved by the membership.

AROHE: In October 2002, the Association of Retirement Organizations in Higher Education (AROHE) had a conference on the campus of Indiana University. The OSU Emeriti Association was represented by Robert Henrickson who brought back a lot of good material from the conference. He also reported that he was elected to the board of AROHE during the conference which provides or Association a direct link AROHE. After Robert presented a report at the Officers and Councilors meeting of the Emeriti Association a committee, chaired by Esther Winterfeldt, to go through the material Robert brought back from the AROHE conference and compile a list of ways in which members of the Emeriti Association could be more involved in activities on the OSU campus. Esther and her committee met with Dr. Jack Vitek, Interim Executive Vice President to discuss some of the ideas on the list. Dr. Vitek was very receptive to several of the suggestions for our members involvement and agreed to meet on a monthly basis with the committee to pursue ways in which our members can be more involved.

Creative Retirement Facility: Discussions about a Creative Retirement Facility continue, however the Stillwater Medical Center is no longer in a lead role. At this point, discussions are primarily with private developers and are not far enough along to provide definitive information about the project, but planning continues.

Facilities: The Emeriti Association is looking forward to the completion of the planned OSU Alumni Association Center in which we are to have facilities. The fund drive for the facility has been successful to the point that groundbreaking is scheduled to take place in October 2003 and the facility is expected to be complete in early 2005. The plans include an office, library/lounge, kitchen and storage space for the Emeriti Association.

Activities: Vice President for Activities, Robert Terry, coordinated several activities including travel, bridge clubs, the calling committee, courtesy, and the investment club. Jack and Jodelle Stout were very busy arranging and helping with a number of local tours and out-of-town and out-of-state trips. All of the tours and the trips were very interesting and enjoyable and participation was very good. The Ambassador group was active at several events on campus including monitoring student elections.

Joanne Seamans and Mary Lou Sare continued their excellent work on the monthly calendar of events and updated and coverage of association activities and events through the Stillwater News-Press, respectively.

Joanne Seamans and Hilda Waller spent considerable time in developing a brochure about the association which, along with a letter prepared by Jeane Yates, is sent to each OSU retiree.

The Emeriti Association is looking forward to another productive year in 2003 –2004.

 

2003—2005 President Ron Beer

  This President’s report covers a two and one-half year period, July 1, 2003 through December 31, 2005. The executive officers and the majority of the Emeriti Association Council members were elected to serve a second year primarily due to several major projects initiated in 2003-2004 that needed to be completed or at least stabilized. Further, the Constitution and By-Laws were modified at a general membership meeting to establish an operational year to coincide with the calendar year (Jan.-Dec) rather than the academic year (July-June), thus officers served an additional six months. General membership meetings were changed from monthly to periodic meetings that coincided with the First Friday of the Month dinners because 80 to 100 members attend the latter compared to 15 to 20 at the former.

Primary activities, initiatives, programs, and services provided from July, 2003 through December, 2005, are summarized below (details are available in the files of the Emeriti Office):

• created a Task Force to review policies, procedures, and programs of the Association and subsequently considered all and implemented many of the recommendations presented to the Council.

• developed a more assertive liaison with the Payne County Retired Educators Association (PCREA) and the Oklahoma Retired Educations Association (OREA) to persuade these organizations to work for legislative considerations regarding benefits for retirees, including “fixing the formula” used to calculate OTR payments to retirees. A debt of gratitude is owed Dr. Harold Sare for his outstanding leadership in this area and for the assistance provided by Mr. Russell Conway.

• created an independent, private, non-profit entity known as the White Woods Retirement Campus, Inc. and appointed the initial Board of Trustees comprised of seven voting members and three ex-officio non-voting members, charged to pursue the development of a full-scale retirement campus containing three levels of living opportunities: independent living units, assisted care living quarters, and a full nursing care facility.

• accepted an offer from the OSU Alumni Association for an Emeriti Association Office/Suite in the new Conoco-Phillips Alumni Center; agreed to solicit funds from Emeriti to assist with paying for the cost of construction; created a group of volunteers to serve as Ambassadors/Docents at special events and to host visiting alumni on tours of the facility per requests from the Alumni Association staff. The long-awaited occupancy of a very lovely new office and reception area occurred on August 29, 2005.

• the Emeriti Council authorized membership in the Association for active OSU employees 55 year of age or older, including state-wide OSU Extension employees and federal employees affiliated with OSU programs, employees from OSU campuses in Oklahoma City, Okmulgee, and Tulsa, as well as retirees from Langston University and Northern Oklahoma College living in the Stillwater area.

• created the Stillwater Academy for Lifelong Learners (SALL) to provide opportunities to adults for intellectual growth and stimulation in such areas as the Arts, Sciences, Languages, Public Affairs, International Affairs, and Social Studies. Among the many individuals responsible for the development and implementation of this program that held its first series of “classes” in the Fall Semester, 2005, at the Stillwater Public Library are: Mona Long, Ed Arquitt, Esther Winterfeldt, Cara Beer, Sidney Reding, Deke Johnson, Ruth Ann Sirbaugh (the representative from the College of Education which collaborated with the Emeriti Association in sponsoring SALL), and Valerie Bloodgood ( the representative from the Stillwater Senior Center) all of whom deserve the primary credit for providing the leadership to a very successful program.

• increased the number and value of Association benefits related to services available at OSU (also lost some) as described in the Emeriti Directory or on the Emeriti web-site.

• significantly enhanced the quality and quantity of information about the Association on the Emeriti web-site: www.okstate.edu/emeriti , thanks to Natalea Watkins and Bob Swaim.

• provided interesting and informative programs at each of the First Friday of the Month dinners, thanks to the incredible dedication of Vice President for Activities – JoAnn Seamans and her advisory committee. The attendance at the monthly dinners increased significantly over the past two years, reaching over 100 attendees on several occasions.

• thanks to George Waller and his committee on the constitution and by-laws, modifications were recommended to and accepted by the Council and a general membership vote to bring these documents in line with reality.

• Jodelle and Jack Stout continued to organize a wonderful array of informative and/or entertaining excursion, both in and out of state.

• joined the Association of Retirement Organizations in Higher Education (AROHE) and representatives attended two of their conferences (held every two years), gleaning ideas for programs and services beneficial to the Association.

• received support from the Executive Vice President and Provost Office through allocations of $900. and $1900., respectively, to the Association’s budget and monthly “exchange of information” meetings in 2004-05.

• attended monthly Faculty Council meetings and appointed Emeriti representatives to various Faculty Council/University committees.

• created an International Relations Committee to develop endowed scholarship accounts and solicit donations from international alumni for deposit in their native countries account to be used for sponsoring students to study at OSU from that country. Eventually it is intended that these funds will generate sufficient funds to help sponsor faculty and/or staff exchanges both ways. Countries for which information has been created and accounts established include: Ethiopia, Thailand, Japan, South Korea, and preliminary work for UAE and Malaysia.

• sent cards of condolence or get well to members “in need”, thanks to the conscientious efforts of Martha Pass.

• provided “congratulatory” letters to all faculty/staff retiring from OSU via the Office of Human Relations, inviting retirees to join the Emeriti Association.

• appointed a committee of three to develop plans to celebrate the 20th Anniversary of the Association, to occur in the fall of 2007.

• sponsored several specialized workshops, e.g., digital camera’s, computer technology, how to avoid scams, etc.

• processed several surveys to solicit ideas, reactions and comments from the membership at large.

• revised the Association Brochure to make it more attractive and informative for prospective members.

• the membership committee, under the direction of Jim Stritzke, is developing a contact in each department/college to obtain names and addresses of individuals about to or who have retired and encourage them to become members of the association.

• the “calling team” chairpersons, Glenal Owens and subsequently Johna Williams, who kept the membership informed of changes in dates and times of special events, deserve a hearty thank you.

• thanks to Natalea Watkins for developing a major communication plan and a series of action steps for the Association, addressing the use of the internet, brochures, newsletters, directory format, and use of the web-site.

• on going Clubs that meet monthly include Bridge and Investments.

• the Association ended the December, 2005 year in good fiscal condition, with a total value of $50,181.47 in all accounts, including money generated by SALL. The Association financial records were audited each year and found to be in good order. Bob Henrickson deserves a hearty thank you for diligence and many hours spent on performing the treasurers duties.

• a deep sense of gratitude is expressed to the officers, all council members and chairpersons (all listed in the Directory) who served with great commitment and gave freely of their time and energy during the two and one-half years covered by this report – July 1, 2003 to December 31, 2006.

 

2006 - President Ken McKinley

  2006 marked the first full year that the OSU Emeriti Association functioned on a twelve-month, calendar year basis. This new format, with its accompanying governance structure, fulfilled a change in the Association’s by-laws, enacted during the 2004-05 membership year. The Association is governed by a 15-member executive council, which meets monthly to consider issues, policies and procedures regarding the welfare and education of the membership. The executive council consists of a president, past president, president-elect, vice-president for activities, secretary, and treasurer who serve annual terms and nine members-at-large who serve rotating three-year terms. This President is deeply grateful to all those who served on the Association council this past year and ably represented the membership and to all those who served on committees or gave of their time and talents in other ways. Without these contributions, your Association could not function.

The OSU Emeriti Association experienced a very successful program year in 2006. The Association membership totaled 560 at the of 2006, with approximately 70% being Life members. The following describes some of the major activities enjoyed by the membership:

First Friday Dinners: Nine dinner programs were held at the Kerr-Drummond cafeteria throughout the year on the first Friday of each month. Two were held at other locations on or near campus. These programs were arranged by Sharon Brown, Vice-President for Activities and her committee. Attendance ranged from 65 to 115. A variety of interesting topics and programs were presented, including bluegrass music, travels to Germany and the Far East by current and future members, a children’s museum planned for Stillwater, state legislated retirement benefits, fraudulent practices relative to senior citizens, etc. were presented. The January meeting was held in the new Conoco-Phillips Alumni Center and featured pizza, ice cream and a program on kite making and flying by Richard Dermer. A near “sell-out” crowd of nearly 150 attended. The June meeting was held at the OSU Botannical Gardens. After a potluck supper, tours of the Gardens were led by OSU Master Gardener volunteers. The December meeting, which was to have been a Christmas music program led by Marilyn King was cancelled because of inclement weather. We hope Marilyn will return in December 2007.

SALL/OLLI: The Stillwater Academy for Life Long Learning (SALL) commenced in the fall of 2005 led by a board of Emeriti members including Ed Arquitt, Cara Beer, Sydney Reding, Lynn Sisler, and Esther Winterfeldt. This SALL board collaborated with the OSU College of Education Office of Education Outreach to plan, develop and launch the first semester of educational offerings. Short-duration (six-week), high-intensity courses on a variety of topics were presented at the Stillwater Public Library during the fall and spring of 2005-06.

During the spring 2006, the SALL board and the College of Education submitted a joint proposal to the Osher Foundation of Los Angeles, CA to support and sustain a more in-depth lifelong learning program in the Stillwater, Tulsa, and Oklahoma City (OKC) communities.

Announcement of funding was received in early June and planning began immediately to:
1) develop a comprehensive program of informal, but high interest educational courses in Stillwater;
2) develop contacts in and begin planning for similar programming in Tulsa and OKC;
3) hire a director and site coordinators; and,
4) locate and establish office space on the OSU campus for the administration of the program.

Now known as OLLI at OSU (the Osher Life Long Learning program at Oklahoma State University), the grant project provides $100,000 per year for three years to support program development and administration in the three (aforementioned) Oklahoma locations, and, assuming the program goals and milestones are met at the end of three years (2009), a $1 M endowment to sustain the program, with other planned revenues, for many generations to come. The OLLI-sponsored fall 2006 program in Stillwater was deemed to be a huge success. Programs in Old Testament history, geneology, geology, archeology, Japanese art and architecture, one-hour lecture/presentations on current events in a “town-hall” format, and out-of-state study tours were planned for the spring 2007 program slate in Stillwater.

Several planning meetings with OSU-OKC and OSU-Tulsa officials were ongoing as of this writing to initiate programs in those communities.

White Woods Retirement Campus : Planning for the development of an upscale, quality retirement living facility in the Stillwater community continued apace in 2006, led by several OSU Emeriti Association members: Ron Beer, Bill Brown, Mary Frye, Bob Henrickson, Milt Morris, Larry Perkins, and Esther Winterfeldt; and, representatives of banking, real estate, and construction interests in Stillwater. The WWRC board met with selected companies from Texas to hear and review proposals for the development, construction and occupancy of a comprehensive, five-tier (independent cottages, independent apartments, assisted-living apartments, memory-support units, and full-care nursing) retirement center at 19th and Range Road in southwest Stillwater on land graciously donated by the White/Morris family. As of this writing, the WWRC board has entered into serious deliberations with the Wind River Corporation of Duncanville, TX, a family-owned company with extensive experience in this field to assist with equity financing, design, construction and management the envisioned facility. The timeline for build-out and occupancy are uncertain as of this date.

International Relations Committee (IRC): The OSU Emeriti Association IRC continued its work in 2006. The purpose of this group is to promote and support the continuous flow and interchange of international students to the OSU campus and faculty exchanges to/with the many countries represented by international students enrolled at OSU. One primary activity of the Committee has been to pursue and garner financial support for academic scholarships for undergraduate students from foreign countries. Partial academic scholarships for individual students from Thailand and Ethiopia have been funded. Brochures and promotional material to continue this fund-raising effort for students from Japan, Jordan, Malaysia, South Korea and the United Arab Emirates have been developed and distributed. The Emeriti members on this Committee include Ron Beer, Cecil Dugger, Conrad Evans, Jim Halligan, Larry Jones, Ken McKinley, Ron Noyes, and Glade Presnal. Able assistance to this committee is rendered by Tim Huff and David Foster of the OSU Office of International Students and Scholars.

Bridge Club: Two separate Emeriti member groups play monthly at the Emeriti Suite in the Conoco-Phillips Alumni Center. Hilda Waller is the coordinator and contact person for this activity.

Investment Club: Interested Emeriti members meet monthly on the third Monday to pool their money and investment savvy, experience, and knowledge. Baker Bokorney is the contact person for this group.

Technology Interest Group: This ad hoc group was formed in spring 2006 under the leadership of Glade Presnal. Emeriti members with questions and issues regarding the use of technology (e.g., personal computers, peripherals, digital photography, the Internet, wireless communications, etc.) meet at the OSU Institute for Teaching and Learning Excellence (formerly Educational Television Services) once a month. A staff member of the Institute leads the discussion and helps the group solve practical problems regarding the use of their personal communication devices.

Travel Club: Travel to “behind-the-scenes” tours of Stillwater and Oklahoma landmarks, both old and new, continued in 2006. Visits to the new Oklahoma Historical Museum, the Oklahoma City Art Museum, the Langston Fish and Goat Research Institute (plus shopping in Guthrie) were examples of outings enjoyed by members this past year. In November, a large contingent traveled to Branson, MO for an enjoyable pre-Christmas outing of shows, shopping and dining. Jack and Jodelle Stout are the long-time and excellent coordinators of this always-popular Emeriti activity.

Other developments/activities during 2006:

1. Under the leadership of President-elect, Robert Swaim, the OSU Emeriti Association gained 501(c)3 status from the Internal Revenue Service during 2006. This allows the Association to receive and use gifts, donations and bequests for the good of the mission of the Association from private donors, foundations and other groups who wish to have their contribution treated as a tax-free event. Also, the Association, with this new financial structure is gradually moving its financial assets from the OSU Foundation to the University and Community Federal Credit Union.

2. The President attended the triennial conference of the Association of Retirement Organizations in Higher Education (AROHE) in Tempe, AZ in October 2006. Retirement organizations from approximately 100 colleges and universities in the United States were represented at the conference. Several interesting and informative workshops and keynote speakers were presented. From the observations of your President (this writer) at the 2006 AROHE conference, the OSU Emeriti Association is a vibrant, comprehensive and growing organization serving the needs of its membership in keeping with the guidelines and recommendations of AROHE.

3. The Emeriti Association Executive Council made a request to the OSU administration to lower the number of years of consecutive service (20) for a retired employee campus parking pass to five. Although we were not successful in that initiative, members of the Council who do not qualify under those regulations may receive an annual pass while serving in office.

4. Under the leadership of Natalea Watkins, the Emeriti Association has produced two newsletters in 2006 to inform the membership, near and far, of the activities of our organizations, past, present, and future. Also, Natalea has done an excellent job of streamlining and updating our Emeriti website. It may be found at: http://www.okstate.edu/emeriti/

5. An updated membership directory was produced, published and distributed to the Emeriti membership and University administration in spring 2006. Many thanks are extended to Max Craighead, Zona Noyes, and Jim Stritzke for coordinating this effort

This ends the report of the major activities of the OSU Emeriti Association in 2006. We are a vibrant, growing and comprehensive organization which provides exciting activities and opportunities for its members. We look forward to another productive year in 2007.

 

2007 - President Robert Swaim

 

The past year produced several significant achievements. Planning was started to celebrate the 20th Anniversary of the Emeriti Association on January 7, 2008 at a sit down served dinner at the Alumni Center. Phyllis Luebke and Beverly Perkins are chairing the planning committee. The four founders of the Association will be featured. They are Robert Henrickson and the late Jeanne Agnew, late Richard Jungers, and late Kenneth McCollom. A $5109 budget for the event was approved by the Emeriti Council from Treasurer funds.

All the monthly dinners were in Click Hall of the OSU Alumni Center, except February which was at the Kerr-Drummond cafeteria. The cafeteria closed down due lack of students eating there. Sharon Brown and the Activities Committee planned excellent programs for the first Monday dinners. Klein’s catering of Perry, Oklahoma served excellent buffet dinners in Click Hall starting Friday, January 5 when Billy Crynes a unique presentation on outhouses .The February dinner program was on Route 66 drawings by OSU Architect faculty member, John Womack. Begriming with the March dinner meeting, we moved to Mondays to avoid conflicts with Fridays with the Alumni Center. Attendance in Click Hall has ranged from 93 to 212. There have been several musical programs as well as speakers at the dinners. There have been programs on wind power, White Woods Retirement Campus, a panel on Aging, Steve Owens at a June Botanical Garden dinner and gardens viewing, a Barbershop Quartet. There was a panel on OSU Athletic facilities, Master Plan, and Transportation.

Big news was on health care. Those that retired after May 1, 1993 will be required to switch to the new OSU Blue Cross/Blue Shield program. Dental and Vision can remain with Health Choice if they wish.

For 2008, Sharon Brown is Vice President for Activities and Programs. Dennis and Loretta Bertholf are Vice Presidents-Elect for Programs and Activities. Catering and Dinner Coordinator is Allen Reding.

The Emeriti Association joined the Stillwater Chamber of Commerce in 2007.

Emeriti on the Faculty Council Standing Committees are: Athletics- Glade Presnal; Budget- Andrea Arquitt; Campus Facilities, Safety, and Security- Alan Brunken; Faculty- John Bale Research- George Waller; Retirement and Fringe Benefits- John Sauer; Student Affairs and Learning Resources- Allen Reding; Academic Standards Policies- Margaret Scott. A University- Wide Standing Committee is Flexible Compensation Benefits Committee: Bob Oehrtman, Raymond Habiby, and Earl Mitchell.

Elections of 2008 Officers and new Councilors took place December 3, 2007 at the dinner meeting. Installation was at the December 17, 2007 Council meeting.

It has been a pleasure to serve the Emeriti Association for 2007.

 

2008 - President Larry Zirkle

 

The Emeriti Association has experienced a very successful year in 2008. The year began with the January 7, 20th Anniversary Celebration. In connection with this activity, the Emeriti Suite was remodeled and redecorated, and a video was developed summarizing the history of the Association.

Serving as president has led me to appreciate the extent of involvement of our emeriti faculty and staff in a broad variety of service and professional activities. In the Emeriti Association we have 31 members serving as chairperson in one or more of our 28 committees, subcommittees and/or special interest groups. Several times that number are involved in serving those activities. 16 members serve on the Association Council holding positions as officers and councilors.

In addition, we have 9 members serving on 9 different Faculty Council committees, 2 serving as representatives to affiliated organizations, and 3 people serving on a University committee. Since we began keeping records in April 2008, 41 different members have been involved in serving as ambassadors for OSU on game days, for homecoming, and for commencement; and in providing assistance to the Alumni Association in various ways amounting to 430 hours of service. Some of our members continue to participate in and provide leadership for professional society activities, consulting, teaching classes at OSU and other places, civic groups, and benevolent, business and church activities. I now understand why retirees say that they are busier now than they were before they retired. It is very rewarding to observe emeriti using their time in beneficial causes in such unselfish ways.

As an Association, a major effort has involved updating our founding and operating documents. We have laid the basis for greater efficiency, growth, and service by updating and revising our Constitution, By-laws, and Policies and Procedures. Position descriptions have been developed for every officer and committee chairperson in order to expedite the transfer of leadership, assure efficiency, and provide a basis for accountability. We also approved a restructuring of the Activities Committee in order to more fairly distribute the tasks associated with the First Monday dinners. Responsibilities for Catering and Reservations, and Programs and Activities were broken out as separate tasks. A new Facilities and Maintenance committee was established, and a policy for long term investment of lifetime dues was approved. The Council approved an increase in annual and lifetime membership dues effective January 1, 2009. A long sought achievement was accomplished in the hiring of a part time office manager in cooperation with the Osher Lifelong Leaning Institute.

We have held monthly dinner meetings with attendance averaging around 120. A wide variety of entertainment and interesting programs has been presented. Also, several items of concern to emeriti have been raised and are resolved or in process, dealing with such things as handicapped parking, fees at Lake Carl Blackwell, access to OSU e-mail and other computer systems and programs, health insurance payment, etc. Several tours have been conducted to regional programs and points of interest. The International Relations Committee has been successful in increasing scholarship funds for international students, and is aggressively continuing to pursue this goal. Emphasis has been placed on contacting international graduates for support and assistance.

The Association has continued to strongly support our affiliated organizations, the Osher Lifelong Leaning Institute, and the White Woods Retirement Center program.

 

2009 - President Russell Wright

 

The Emeriti Association had another very successful, productive year in 2009. As the President for this year I would like to thank the many Emeriti volunteers that contribute to the OSU Emeriti Association. In addition to the seven members of the executive committee and nine councilors, we have 28 members listed as coordinators or chairs of 30 Emeriti Association committees or subcommittees. We also have four members who serve on two University committees and nine members who serve on nine Faculty Council committees. The names of these volunteers are listed in the 2009 Directory or on the updated lists posted throughout the year. In addition many members serve on Association committees and work for the Association in other ways.

During 2009, 34 Emeriti volunteers performed 570 hours of service to the OSU Alumni Center staff with assistance at special events at the Alumni center and with assistance with preparation for their large mailings. Volunteers also acted as greeters at both the spring and fall commencements. The OSU Alumni Center Directors acknowledged the assistance of 34 Emeriti members at the Monday night dinner in November.

A change in the membership dues structure, approved by the 2008 Council and approved by a vote of the members was implemented in January 2009. Lifetime membership dues are placed in an interest bearing account and only the interest from these funds is used for administrative costs. Annual membership fees are placed directly in the administrative budget. At the end of 2009 the Association had 560 members. About 70% of these are lifetime members and 30% are annual members. The Membership Committee prepared a new color recruitment brochure which has been placed in the Universities retirement counseling offices.

A review of the expenses associated with the Monday Night dinners including catering costs, rental costs for table set up and rental of equipment for audio or audio and visual presentations during 2008, indicated that the $10.00/person charge for meals was not covering our expenses. A survey was distributed to the member present at the January Monday night dinner and based on the response the council approved a recommendation to increase the charge for the Monday Night dinners to $12.00 per person effective with the March Monday Night Dinner. Attendance at the Monday Night dinners averaged over 100 members per dinner. Programs and entertainment were presented at each dinner. Special thanks to all the volunteers that organize and publicize the dinners and entertainment.

The only change to the Associations operating documents was a change to Policy 15 of the Policies and Procedures Policy addressing how non monetary gifts to the Association would be handled. One new book “Oklahoma State Portraits- Celebrating the Centennial of Oklahoma Statehood” was donated by Pat and Kay Murphy and placed in the Emeriti Council Room. LED lighting was installed to backlight the Past-Presidents Plaque in the Council Room.

The Emeriti Association has benefited greatly by the addition of secretarial services of Susan Bigheart who splits her ½ time secretarial duties between the Association and OLLI. Everyone appreciates the great friendly assistance from Susan. The Emeriti Association will pay ¼ of Susan’s salary through 2010.

The OSU Emeriti Association expresses our thanks and appreciation to Provost Strathe and her office staff for all the support they provide to the OSU Emeriti Association and the Emeriti Association Executive Officers.

The OSU Emeriti Association also would like to thank the officers and staff of the OSU Alumni Association. We are privileged to have such great facilities in the Alumni Center and to be able to associate and work with such friendly, cooperative folks.

 

2010 - President Margaret Scott

 

The Emeriti Association is an active organization involved in OSU programs and events. Many members volunteer their time and efforts in campus activities which are greatly appreciated. In addition, members serve on the Emeriti Council and committees, as well as university committees.

Members of the Association meet once monthly (usually the first Monday) for dinner and a program. Dennis and Loretta Bertholf arranged for programs and musical entertainment which covered a wide range of interesting topics and talent.

The OSU Provost’s Office continued to support the Association by providing mailing and copying assistance. This fall Dr. Sternberg generously offered to support the salary of Susan Bigheart, Emeriti Office Manager. Susan is available in the Emeriti Suite for 5 hours per week, usually on Mondays. OLLI is no longer housed in the Emeriti Suite. Dr. Sternberg provided an OSU update at the November First Monday Dinner. The Provost’s Office also continued to pay our annual dues to the Association of Retired Organizations in Higher Education (AROHE) and paid for our representative, Past President, Russell Wright’s registration and lodging at the AROHE Meeting last October.

Zona Noyes, Membership Chair, reported the Association now has 562 members, about 70% who are lifetime members. Thirty-five new members were welcomed during the year; we were saddened by the deaths of 13 members. Membership information was sent to all OSU faculty and staff new retirees, as well as, previous retirees who continue as voting members on the OSU Faculty Council but were not Association members.

A colorful yearly Newsletter was prepared by Natalea Watkins and the Communications Committee and sent to all Association members with the 2010 Membership Directory. In addition that committee prepared a full-color membership brochure which has aided in member recruitment.

Emeriti volunteers, under the able leadership of Sharon Brown, continued to provide assistance to the Alumni Association by stuffing envelopes for mailings and serving as greeters for commencement ceremonies and home football games. The Alumni Association announced that the Emeriti Suite has been named the Holten Family Emeriti Suite.

Representatives on the University Flexible Compensation Benefits Committee (Ken McKinley, Larry Perkins, Earl Mitchell) and the Faculty Council Retirement and Fringe Benefits Committee (Bob Terry) have kept the Council and Association informed as the health benefits negations progressed.

Three special interest groups—Investment Club (Ken Bell), Bridge (Hilda Waller), and Technology (Glade Presnal)--meet regularly and encourage additional participants. (Contact the Emeriti Association facilitator mentioned for more information.)

Jack and Jodie Stout arranged for many informative (and entertaining) trips this year. Emeriti members enjoyed visits to West End Zone at the stadium, Old Central, the Crown Theater in Wichita, the Gospelfest in Moore, the annual trip to Branson for notable shows, and a Christmas Lights visit to Muskogee and Broken Arrow which required two busses.

A promising prospect for the White Woods Retirement Campus did not adequately materialize after dedicated efforts by Esther Winterfeldt, Ron Beer, Milt Morris and the White Woods Board.

The Emeriti Suite received several gifts through the generous donations by Association members. Katherine McCollom provided a wall-mounted, wide-screen TV for the Conference Room; the office has a new printer and supplies courtesy of Dorothy Friend; Bob Hendrickson donated a beautiful lamp table for the office; and Edna Jungers funded the upgrade of the Past Presidents and Founders name plates in the Suite Display Case. The Association greatly appreciates these additions.

I regret that due to health reasons Bob Hamm is unable to assume the presidency of the Association for 2011. The Association appreciates the dedication of Larry Jones, Pauline Kopecky, and Pat Murphy who have served as Council Members-at-Large the past three years. We welcome new Council Members-at-Large Dennis Bertholf, John Baird, and Jim Criswell.

Again, my thanks to all Emeriti members who have participated and worked on Association committees and activities.