MURA News MU Retirees Association Representing University of Retirees since 1990Celebrating DECEMBER 2020 years! Never before have MURA leaders and 30 Wrapping up our 30th year benchmarks been indexed together, or have Dear MURA we taken the time to examine the similarities Keep strolling members, of the energetic “significant seven” leaders down memory who were both a Chancellor’s Retiree of the MURA’s 30-year Year and also a MURA President. lane historical review This issue documents the last decade of is particular- Reflections on 30 years milestones and invites Tom Henderson, a ly meaningful of MURA service to MU past president, to provide his analysis. during the current retirees, honoring MURA Before we conclude our historical look pandemic. It’s a back in this fourth newsletter, we take stock leaders. way of thanking of how we made history in 2020 by pivot- past leaders and ing to total virtual programming. Online their work while programming is reaching hundreds of retiree Ruth Tofle we enjoy the fruits households both in Missouri and out of state of their labors in with virtual breakfasts, socials and Town retiree health benefits, pensions, educational Halls. opportunities and so much more. In addition, we continue to identify The 1990 leaders organized MURA so areas of growth and improvement that are retirees would have ongoing advocacy. The more than self-serving. We want our Kitty following three decades of our organization Dickerson MURA Scholarship to help more faithfully held to that fundamental purpose. students. We want to embrace a larger and HOLIDAY Cataloging benchmarks, searching photos more diverse membership of MU and UM and recording stories has been an enlight- retirees to continue our objectives. We are SOCIAL * ening adventure. Never before have all the poised to achieve these goals to make a photos of MURA Presidents and Chancellor difference. Friday, Retirees of the Year Awardees been collected Happy 30th anniversary to MURA! and seen together. Dec. 11 — Ruth Tofle, MURA President * UM System retiree virtual town hall focuses on health benefits RETIREE HEALTH BENEFITS was the topic of the The timing of the webinar was * second ever UM System retiree virtual town planned to occur shortly before retirees hall. It was held via webinar on Oct. 2 in re- received their annual health benefits en- sponse to a request by MURA and the retiree rollment information for 2021. More than Inside associations at UMSL, S&T and UMKC. 700 households watched the livestream of 2 Chancellor’s Awards Members of the responding panel in- the event. cluded leaders in UM Human Resources and One of the more visible changes for 3 Upcoming Holiday Social UM Benefits and representatives from United many in the Medicare Advantage plans 3 Program highlights Health Care and Express Scripts. President will be the change from Silver Sneakers to 4 Membership application Mun Choi gave greetings, and Marshall Renew Active which takes effect on Jan. 1, 5 More program highlights! Stewart, chief engagement officer, served as 2021. The design of the programs is similar moderator. including online videos and virtual fitness 5 Finance report Numerous questions were submitted in classes through Fitbit Premium (no Fitbit 6 MURA 30th Anniversary advance as well as during the webinar. Not device is needed). Renew Active has an ex- 7 Significant Seven all questions could be addressed during the tensive network of gyms and fitness loca- 8 Gallery of MURA VIPs one-hour session but have been answered and tions across the country. If a gym or fitness 10 Tom Henderson reflections grouped into six categories: enrollment; pre- center is not in the Renew Active network, scriptions; plan design; renew active; dental, let the program know, and Renew Active 11 Distinguished Service vision and hearing coverage; and coverage for will invite the gym to join. To check the 12 Upcoming events specific services and care. facilities in your area, learn more, register The recording of the town hall and or access resources go to uhcrenewactive. written answers to the questions received may com beginning Jan. 1. be found at https://www.umsystem.edu/presi- — Betsy Garrett, MURA Past President dent-blog/virtual-town-hall-october-2. mura-missouri.com Nominations for 2021 Chancellor’s Retiree of the Year The nomination materials consisting of an application form and three letters of support must be submitted by March 1, 2021. The Awards due March 1st form is below and can be found at the MURA website: MURA-mis- By MARY JO HERDE, Awards Committee Chair souri.com. Click on the “about” tab and scroll to find the Chancellor’s Retiree of the Year Award. MURA recognizes the contributions of our If you have questions or concerns, contact Mary Jo Herde at friends and former co-workers through the [email protected] or 573-446-5525. annual presentation of the Chancellor’s Retir- ee of the Year Awards. Send all materials to Mary Jo Herde, 3402 Snow Leopard Dr., Colum- bia, MO 65202 or via email. These two awards, one given to a retired staff member and the other to a retired faculty Nominees will remain eligible for three years following the original member, include a $1,000 check, recognition nomination. at the Chancellor’s Luncheon in May and the For 2020, the Staff Retiree of the Year is Ron Geren, a 2000 staff recipients’ names recorded on a plaque in retiree from the MU Health Care’s plant engineering department. The Mary Jo Herde . Faculty Retiree of the Year for 2020 is Brian Brooks from the Missouri To be eligible for the 2021 award retirees must have made “extraor- School of Journalism. He retired in 2012. dinary achievements” through community or professional voluntary If you would be willing to serve on the selection committee, which service since their retirement (prior to Jan. 1, 2016). meets in March, please contact Herde at the above address.

2021 Chancellor’s Retiree of the Year Awards Awards will be presented at the May 2021 Chancellor’s Luncheon to one retired faculty member and one retired staff member.

CRITERIA FOR NOMINATION: • Nominees must have retired from the before Jan. 1, 2016. • Individuals nominated must have contributed volunteer service to their communities, university or professional and civic organizations following their retirement. • All required nomination materials must be submitted by March 1, 2021, to:

University of Missouri Mary Jo Herde-Awards Committee Mary Maxwell – Retiree Awards 3402 Snow Leopard Drive 305 Jesse Hall, Columbia, MO 65211 OR Columbia, MO 65202 Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Questions? Call 573-446-5525

REQUIRED MATERIAL FOR NOMINATION: 1. The nomination form below 2. A nomination letter that includes the accomplishments of the individual, appropriate personal and background information about the nominee and a summary describing the most important reasons why the person deserves this award. 3. Three letters of support for nominee from individuals who know the nominee.

NOMINATION FORM

Candidate’s name: ______

l Faculty l Staff Year of retirement: ______MU department and position at time of retirement: ______Mailing address: ______Cellphone: ______Email: ______Nominator’s name: ______Cellphone: ______Mailing address: ______Email: ______Nominator’s signature: ______

2 | MURA News | December 2020 * HomeHome forfor thethe Holidays!Holidays!* * MURAMURA andand OsherOsher willwill hosthost aa VirtualVirtual HolidayHoliday SocialSocial * The online Friday,Friday, Dec.Dec. 11,11, fromfrom 1:301:30 toto 33 p.m.p.m. *Zoom link FEATURING music led by Michael Porter, the annual Trivia Quiz with *Dick Otto, will be sent * * sharing holiday traditions and individual “gifting” to Tiger Pantry. via email.

Boone’s Lick Road led Personal objects shape culture, historians settlers to the West explain MORE THAN 90 HOUSEHOLDS listened to HOW MATERIAL CULTURE, whether original art, photographs or ar- historian David Sapp’s presentation tifacts, plays a role in shaping historical memory was the theme “Along the Boone’s Lick Road, Key of MURA’s Virtual Fall Social. Link to the West” at MURA’s Sept, 8 Virtual Breakfast meeting. Joan Stack, curator of the State Historical Society of Missou- ri, teamed up with Nicole Johnston, archivist from Missouri Sapp, a retired 3M engineer who Historic Costume and Textile Collection, to lead presentations launched the company’s first Asian David Sapp manufacturing operation in Kuala about “Our Material Culture.” Lumpur, Malaysia, is an author and past president of Boone The State Historical Society exhibit, “Missouri Women: Suffrage County Historical Society and the Boone’s Lick Road Associa- tion. to Statecraft” was discussed showing vintage clothing and photographs of women dressed in white dresses with yellow Boone’s Lick Road was the primary route for early migration to accessories to tell the story. the west and has played an amazing role in the westward devel- opment of the entire United States, Sapp said. Breakout sessions allowed participants to share their treasured items and tell their stories. More than 60 households partici- Using primary sources such as diagrams of salt springs and pro- pated in the Sept. 18 event, which was MURA’s first interactive cessing, travel journals, surveyor records and maps, Sapp led us social co-hosted with Osher Lifelong Institute. along the road as it evolved throughout the early 19th century. — Ruth Tofle, MURA President The road is populated by figures such as Nathaniel Boone, Lew- is and Clark and lesser-known travelers. We also learned how the route changed to come through Co- lumbia as the leaders in Boone County helped redirect the road. Did you also know they measured distance by the revolutions of the wagon wheels? The recording of Sapp’s presentation can be viewed at the MURA website at http://mura-missouri.com/event/mura- breakfast-2020-09-08/. You can also join in the “quest to uncover the lost history of this road, to help share the stories of the pioneers who traveled here and to return this road to part of the national story” at the website https://booneslickroad.com/. — Barbara Schneider, MURA Program Chair and Osher Lifelong Learning Liaison

mura-missouri.com | 3 Become a MURA member! www.mura.missouri.com

MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION

MURA membership offers you a variety of educational and social activities, as well as a chance to con- Welcome!nect to other retirees. Your membership lends strength to MURA’s voice in support of retirees and MU benefits. MEMBERSHIP OPTIONS Membership – either annual or lifetime – is open to University of Missouri retirees, their spouses/partners or surviv- ing spouses/partners and active faculty and staff age 55 and older. Associate memberships are open to retirees from another college/university. COST The lifetime membership fee is $100 per person in a one-time payment, and the annual membership fee is $12.50 per person per year. Membership runs from Jan. 1 to Dec. 31. Renewals are due on Jan. 1. Suggestion: Consider buying a membership for a friend or colleague who is retiring in 2021-22! INSTRUCTIONS You can mail this form and check to the address at the bottom of this page. The form is also available at: mura-missouri. com. Note: Membership fees are not tax-deductible.

MEMBER NAME:

First ______Middle ______Last______

Preferred 1st Name ______Membership type: c Lifetime c Annual

SPOUSE/PARTNER NAME (If joining MURA): First ______Middle ______Last______

Preferred 1st Name ______Membership type: c Lifetime c Annual

CONTACT INFORMATION:

Mailing Address: ______

City: ______State:______ZIP Code: ______

Cellphone: ( ) ______Home: ( ) ______

Email address: ______

Retirement date (optional): ______/______/______(mm/dd/yyyy)

Total enclosed $ ______Check # ______

FOR MORE INFORMATION go to the MURA website at mura-missouri.com, facebook.com/UMretirees or send an email to [email protected].

Mail application and MU Retirees Association check to: P.O. Box 1831 Columbia, MO 65205

4 | MURA News | December 2020 Celebrating 150 Years of CAFNR and a look toward its future MURA / Osher 2020 Election Forum AT MURA’S NOV. 3 VIRTUAL BREAKFAST, ELECTION 2020 FORUM, MURA’s Oct. 6 Virtual Breakfast Pro- attendees learned of the fascinating gram, helped us as voters become more informed about the 150-year history of the MU College legislative candidates in Boone County. of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources (CAFNR). Bryan Garton, Moderators Mary Anne McCollum senior associate dean and director and Tom Henderson asked candi- of Special Programs at MU, walked dates to discuss their background listeners through how the college was and experience leading them to run chartered as a land-grant institution for office, legislative priorities and, in in 1870 after a contentious 8-year particular, their understanding of the Bryan Garton struggle within the Missouri Legisla- University of Missouri’s role in the ture. state and their support for the core Mary Anne McCollum appropriation. MU has developed a rich history of student success, research and service to community, Garton said. Listen online at the The core appropriation is the No. 1 MURA website to Dean Garton’s stories of locusts, Texas long- one priority of the university for the horns, the soybean industry and Plot 23 of and upcoming General Assembly session. learn about the roles of Deans Swallow, Mumford and Mitchell as well as J.C. Penney, who was born in Hamilton, Mo. Issues mentioned included jobs, in- frastructure, public safety, both K-12 Tom Henderson The history of Memorial Union and Memorial Stadium, start- and higher education, public health ing with a CAFNR alumnus’ poem during WWI, is truly a bit and the coronavirus, the need for federal dollars to repair the of MU history everyone should know. But it’s not all about the economy, access to health care, the opiate epidemic, imple- past, and Dean Garton also laid out CAFNR’s path to a Bold menting and paying for Medicaid expansion and the rights of Future, the Drive to Distinction and its current strategic plan children with disabilities in public schools. for its next 150 years. The importance of the University of Missouri’s research, Exten- The recording is at https://umsystem.zoom.us/rec/share/ sion and contributions to the economy were emphasized along KtUghE9yDhmvQ8S-uLZZLIVUEVhThXCx7gVg8cLlJs- with strong support for the requisite funding. sUeGGKuFB7Wu-LVqv4kvxf.K5i28d4VdE2dwfO8. The link to CAFNR’s 150th anniversary page is https://cafnr.missouri. The program reached 50-plus households watching live via edu/150th/. Zoom. — Barbara Schneider, MURA Program Chair and — Barbara Schneider, MURA Program Chair and Osher Lifelong Learning Liaison Osher Lifelong Learning Liaison

Reserve investment account, funded by lifetime memberships, keeps MURA in good financial shape DURING THE FIRST THREE MONTHS of this This fund is invested in a mix of approximately 35% fiscal year starting July 1, some mem- stock and 65% bonds, which allows it to weather the fluctu- bership dollars have been collected, ations in the stock market and ensure stable income. interest has been received from our Quarterly dividends are paid by Vanguard directly to Vanguard account and a refund of MURA’s checking account, and capital gains are reinvested the deposit for a cancelled event from in the fund. last year has been recorded. With This balanced mutual fund has performed well for minimal expenses so far, our oper- MURA’s needs. The 10-year rate of return is currently 8.2%, Donna Johanning ating account balance has grown to and the one-year rate is 4.5%. Even with the dip in markets MURA Treasurer $7,619.56. this spring, the current year to date return is showing a Since there isn’t much activity positive 2.77%. in our accounts to discuss, this article will focus on the The market value of the balance held by MURA as of funds held in the Wellesley Income Fund at Vanguard. Sept. 30 is $92,782.12. This account has been funded with lifetime dues paid by Almost 94% of our current members have opted for the our members and additional funds set aside by MURA lifetime membership. in prior years. The income from the Vanguard account Rest assured, the higher amount paid in dues is invested is used to support MURA activities during the year. The to ensure MURA has operating funds to support its activi- interest we anticipate receiving this year represents 44% of ties for years to come. the operating receipts budget.

mura-missouri.com | 5 Celebrating 30 years! social held in the Art and Archaeology Museum located at Mizzou North. The evening included museum tours Retiree milestones from 2010 - 2020 as well as members sharing a champagne toast and a 2010-12: MURA website transitions. The first website 2013: An electronic (list serve) distribution list was birthday cake. was developed in 1999 by Rebecca Calvin, marketing set up and maintained by Barb Harris for sending 2015: MURA President Tom Henderson helps make the specialist for the Chancellor’s Diversity Initiative. The information electronically to MURA members. MURA Scholarship program a reality. set-up, however, made the site difficult to update. Later, 2013: Valerie Goodin completes two years of service 2015: Tom Henderson and John Parker established Melva Darlene Schmitz, administrative associate with as Communication Chair. Barb Harris steps into the role what would become the Osher Lifelong Learning the vice provost for Extension and then with Extension and also serves as the newsletter’s managing editor. Technology and Computer Services, maintained the site Institute. 2013: Ken Hutchinson is MURA president. Ken was a and worked to make it independent, which eliminated 2015: MURA Board champions free email for MU/UM key link to the UM System with experience in the early some updating issues. Rose Porter and Ken Hutchinson retirees. Prior to that change by UM system IT, only emer- pension program. connected with the Mizzou Alumni Association for pos- iti faculty were afforded that opportunity and everyone sible transfer of website management. Rebecca Calvin 2013: Bob Stewart is Faculty Retiree of the Year for else was charged a yearly fee of $25. then continued website maintenance until 2012. service to campus and community including numerous 2015-present: Dick Otto leads the trivia quiz at contributions in cancer survivorship. 2011: John Parker is Faculty Retiree of the Year. John the holiday luncheon with questions on Missouri’s state is recognized for work with MURA Breakfast series, 2013: Jack Miles is Staff Retiree of the Year for work flower, tree, insect, bird and other aspects of the state community groups and teaching in Thailand. as a founder of Missouri State Show-Me Games and and university. humanitarian community work. 2011: Judith Cunningham is Staff Retiree of the Year. 2016: Kee Groshong is honored as Staff Retiree of the Her humanitarian work led to resettlement of refugees 2014: MURA begins “opt-out” paper choice and Year. He was 2008 MURA president, led efforts for campus and work at numerous community organizations. encourages email distribution of the newsletter. renewal/beautification and played a significant role in 2011: Tom Freeman retired after serving as newsletter 2014: Leslie Palmer and Barb Harris are trained to preserving Thomas Jefferson’s tombstone and original editor for the past six years, and Valerie Goodin begins maintain MURA website. epitaph. role as newsletter editor. 2014: Phyllis Miller is Staff Retiree of the Year for vol- 2016: Nan Erickson is Faculty Retiree of the Year. She 2012: Jayson Meyer, director of Alumni Engagement unteer work with the very young and elderly through was 2011 MURA president and served in many MURA at the Mizzou Alumni Association, assumes manage- numerous organizations. leadership roles and inherited the role of Santa’s Elf at ment of website and facilitates approval to have a Holiday lunches. website using its Alumni Spaces software as a courtesy. 2014: Don Day is Faculty Retiree of the Year for local service and mission trips to El Salvador. 2016: Kitty Dickerson dies during service as MURA The website address changes from mura.missouri.edu to president, and the MURA scholarship, for family of mura.missouri.com 2015: Susan Turner is Staff Retiree of the Year for university staff members, is named in her honor. 2012: Judy Olson is Staff Retiree of the Year for community service including The Container Project, which shipped two containers of non-perishable goods 2017: Mizzou Store paid more than $2,000 to MURA for volunteering at Columbia Entertainment Company and 136 hours of service in January for scholarship funding. McCambridge Center (substance abuse treatment center such as new or gently used clothing, linens, limited for women). medical supplies and sewing machines to rural poor of 2017: First MURA scholarships for staff dependents Nicaragua. awarded. 2012: Robert Blake is Faculty Retiree of the Year for volunteering in the School of Medicine, Shepard 2015: George Kennedy is Faculty Retiree of the Year 2017: Judy Maseles begins as MURA webmaster. for volunteer work emphasizing the Food Bank. Elementary School, Boone County Council on Aging and 2017: MURA begins Facebook page with Nancy Planned Parenthood. 2015: MURA celebrates its 25th anniversary with a Johnson as editor. 2017: Maggie Walter begins as managing editor of MURA Newsletter. 2017: Richard Hessler is honored as Faculty Retiree of the Year for community service. Richard and Anne Hessler lead Breakfast Series and are parents of Peter Hessler, who is speaker of the 2018 breakfast presentation about Egyptian society with 148 attendees — the highest attendance of all breakfast presentations. 2017: Marie Sloan is Staff Retiree of the Year for com- munity service, including being co-author of “Missouri Theatre: Visions of the Past and the Future.” 2018: Dick Otto is Staff Retiree of the Year for volun- teerism for Boone County Historical Society, TigerPlace, Missouri Credit Union and Newman Center. He is a long- time chair of the MURA Membership Committee. Dick Otto, right, serves cake at the opening reception on May 22, 2018 for the the Arts and Crafts Showcase. It featured 2018: Bob Churchill is Faculty Retiree of the Year for creative works by MU staff members and provides an opportunity for them to show off their talents during Staff Recognition Week. Shown with Otto are Nancy Johnson, MURA’s Facebook editor and Staff Representative, and Amanda Schmelzle from the volunteering for Voluntary Action Center, Osher, MURA, Animal Science Department who designed the cake. The event was held in Stotler Lounge in Memorial Union. Rotary and Food Bank.

6 | MURA News | December 2020 2018: Jo Turner is MURA president. She is inducted into the National 4-H Hall of Fame. Top row: Bob Breitenbach, 2018: The last paper newsletter is mailed to all mem- Gary Smith, bers. Beginning in November, paper newsletter is only Rod Gelatt, Jo mailed to members without an email address. Behymer. Bottom row: 2018-19: MURA member George Smith receives the Kee Groshong, Jack Miles, Nan Nobel Prize Award in Chemistry. George and his wife, Erickson. Margie Sable, who was 2017 MURA president, give a breakfast presentation about receiving the award. MU dedicates a bike rack parking spot to George to honor him. 2019: Jill Raitt is Faculty Retiree of the Year for her Significant Seven research, teaching, mentoring and volunteer work. By RUTH TOFLE 2019: Sandra Taylor is Staff Retiree of the Year for work MURA President at Ellis Fischel Cancer Center and in the community. n the history of MURA, seven people are singled out to have been both a MURA President and a 2019: Art Jago leads MURA satisfaction survey. The IChancellor Retiree of the Year. We are familiar with their work during retirement because of this survey had 313 membership responses. recognition without knowing of their earlier stories. 2019: MURA hosts a scholarship fund-raising concert While they are from both staff and faculty ranks, the common threads among them are striking. with the Dave and Deke Combo and reaps $8,141. Deke is Working long hours their entire lives, having big personalities with a good sense of humor, be- son of the late Kitty Dickerson, who was MURA president longing to a staggering number of service organizations, and sharing an undeniable love for MU in 2016. are in their DNA. They are focused, reliably authentic and plain-spoken Missourians. 2020: Thirty-year celebration of MURA begins with Bob Breitenbach: 1996-7 President, 1998 Faculty Retiree of the Year February Breakfast “Photos and Footsteps: Celebrating Bob taught his students by asking them to write about zoology. He was a charter member of the MURA’s Past” presentation by Ruth Tofle, Gary Smith and writing board which established “writing across the curriculum.” While a distinguished research- Ken Hutchinson. er, teacher and department chair, his department profile boasts how he “undoubtedly wrote more 2020: MU Faculty Council honors MURA with Shared letters of recommendation than any other faculty member at MU.” Governance Award highlighting 30 years in advocating, Gary Smith: 2003 President, 2007 Staff Retiree of the Year communicating, educating/socializing and contributing Gary was a high school history teacher and then a school principal in Savannah, Mo. As MU to the university family. Director of Admissions and Registrar his love for history continued. Proof is how he can still tick 2020: $30-for-30-year campaign for the Kitty off MU building names and their historical ties to our state’s notable people and places. Smith is Dickerson Scholarship seeks to top $100,000 with $4,000 known for his “mastery of Mizzou minutia.” matching funds from MURA. Scholarships awarded are Rod Gelatt: 2006 President, 2008 Faculty Retiree of the Year for $1,000. Rod was the news director of both KBIA and KOMU guiding the switch from black and white 2020: Ron Geren is the Staff Retiree of the Year for his to color broadcasting. Gelatt played a key role in implementing students into the major work of volunteer work with MU Health Sciences. the newscasts and creating the foundation for the now famous “Missouri Method” the School is 2020: Brian Brooks is the Faculty Retiree of the Year known for today. for his continuing efforts with the Missouri School of Jo Behymer: 2007 President, 2005 Faculty Retiree of the Year Journalism. Jo and future husband Wayne met at a 4-H camp but cemented their relationship as MU students. 2020: Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic requires Their love is displayed in a named tribute bench near the Chancellor’s home where Brady Deaton cancellation of Annual Meeting and use of online voting lived as Chancellor when Jo was Assistant Provost. An MU scholarship was created in honor of of officers using Survey Monkey. Bylaws changes are their 50th wedding anniversary noting how Jo “epitomizes what it means to be a great leader, drafted to make future electronic balloting less of an professor and colleague.” exceptional event. Kee Groshong: 2008 President, 2016 Staff Retiree of the Year 2020: MURA works with four-campus retirees’ Kee grew up on a small farm outside of Troy, Mo., and has always made quick friends sharing his associations and UM System to offer first Town Hall with joy in tinkering with vintage steam threshers and old farm equipment. While he is comfortable in Q-and-A to discuss pensions. The May webinar reached overalls, his suit-and-tie MU desk job being vice chancellor of Administrative Services brought 900-plus households. October webinar on Retiree Health him acclaim for developing a positive partnership between the city and the university. Benefits reached 700-plus households. Jack Miles: 2010 President, 2013 Staff Retiree of the Year 2020: MURA partners with Osher for Zoom pro- Jack didn’t hang up his athletic shoes after playing his Shelbina, Mo., High School final games in gramming and utilizes its IT assistance when in-person football, basketball, track and baseball. While an MU student he worked in the athletic equipment breakfast programs pivot to virtual breakfasts. room and learned from the best coaches. Miles introduced girls’ sports during his longtime role as Missouri State High School Activities Association director. He is a member of the Missouri Sports 2020: First MURA Virtual Breakfast webinar features Hall of Fame. David Sapp talking about “Along Boone’s Lick Road: Key Link to the West.” Online attendance reached 90-plus Nan Erickson: 2011 President, 2016 Faculty Retiree of the Year viewers in Missouri and other states. Nan served in all leadership positions of her association in practical arts and vocational technical education. What does not show up on her resume is her compassion in caring for many others in 2020: MURA Secretary Mary Licklider leads effort to countless hours of caregiving. establish MURA Policy and Procedures Manual.

mura-missouri.com | 7 MURA Gallery of Presidents and Retirees of the Year

FACULTY RETIREE STAFF RETIREE FACULTY RETIREE STAFF RETIREE PRESIDENT OF THE YEAR OF THE YEAR PRESIDENT OF THE YEAR OF THE YEAR 1990 2000

1991 2001

1992 2002

1993 2003

1994 2004

1995 2005

1996 2006

1997 2007

1998 2008

1999 2009

8 | MURA News | December 2020 FACULTY RETIREE STAFF RETIREE PRESIDENT OF THE YEAR OF THE YEAR 2010 YEAR PRESIDENT FACULTY RETIREE STAFF RETIREE 1990 C. V. Ross Ernest Funk Albert Flischel 1991 C. V. Ross Veralee Hardin Jerome & Marie Mason 2011 1992 Geoff Preckshot Bob Daniel George Brooks 1993 Geoff Preckshot Charles Gerke Allen W. Purdy 1994 Bill Pfander Adolph E. Schroeder Anthony W. Lampe 2012 1995 Bill Pfander C. Melvin Bradley Russell Dale Cook 1996 Bob Breitenbach Dale Sechler Paul Rexroad 1997 Bob Breitenbach Betty Crim W. E. (Bill) Moyes 1998 Larry Morehouse Robert Breitenbach Betty Cook Rottmann 2013 1999 Diane Brukardt Nelson Trickey Martha Sue Dailey 2000 John Bauman Walter Wilkening Ray McClure 2001 John Bauman Ross Swofford Ola Mae Taggart 2014 2002 G. B. Thompson Thomas G. Brown Elizabeth Bailey 2003 Gary L. Smith Emma Jean McKinin Sue Tucker Troutner 2004 Charles Cramer John L. Mowrer Nina Hiler

2015 2005 Tom Freeman Jo Behymer Darlene Miles 2006 Rod Gelatt Verna Rhodes Darlene Schroeder 2007 Jo Beymer Max Miller Gary L. Smith 2008 Kee Groshong Rod Gelatt Georgia Morehouse 2016 2009 Barton Boyle James E. Creed Ernest Hilderbrand 2010 Jack Miles Robert T. Marshall Joyce Lake 2011 Nan Erickson John Parker Judith A. Cunningham 2017 2012 Rose Porter Robert Blake Jr. Judy Olson 2013 Ken Hutchinson Bob Stewart Jack Miles 2014 Jim Koller Don Day Phyllis Miller

2018 2015 Tom Henderson George Kennedy Susan Turner 2016 Kitty Dickerson/ Nan Erickson Kee Groshong Marty Townsend 2017 Margie Sable Richard Hessler Marie C. Sloan 2019 2018 Jo Turner Robert J. Churchill Richard J. Otto 2019 Betsy Garrett Jill Raitt Sandra L. Taylor 2020 Ruth Brent Tofle Brian Brooks Ron Geren

2020

mura-missouri.com | 9 MURA TRAILBLAZER Reflections of the past decade from Tom Henderson Who do you know who has been called out of women elected and ap- retirement three times by our university? pointed to the Board. I TOM HENDERSON COULD BE DESCRIBED as an all-star util- think most colleagues ity player for University of Missouri Extension according to Jo would see the same Turner. In baseball, a utility player is one who can play several changes occurring with- positions competently. As Jo explains, Tom worked at every level in our society in the U.S. of the organization and excelled. It’s no wonder Tom was called out of retirement three times from 2002 through 2016 to lead Within the past five Extension programs. years, MURA leadership has also conducted two Tom Henderson was born in Indiana, grew up in Illinois, re- surveys in which results ceived a PhD from Southern Illinois University in Higher Ed- seem to reflect changes Tom Henderson ucation Administration and an MBA from MU. He has lived in we also see in our broad- Missouri since 1966 except for two years in the Army. Tom has er society. The initial survey was designed to capture the value of nearly forty years of experience at the University of Missouri retiree’s contributions of (1) volunteer effort and (2) financial re- working in Extension business and community development. He sources to our University of Missouri. I was surprised respondents served as co-chair of the Flagship Council two years ago and will said they were not being able to participate in voluntary service complete his three-year term on the Flagship Council this year. efforts. They were not asked, not aware of opportunities, or they He was MURA President in 2015, leading needed time to provide care of family mem- MURA’s 25th anniversary celebration and has bers. More assistance to elderly parents, spous- remained active with MURA. This year Tom es, and even grandchildren contributed to chairs the MURA Past Presidents Committee this intergenerational challenge facing retired and is in a key position to reflect on the past . . MURA members. This trend again seems to mimic our decade of MURA. . overall society in many ways. — Ruth Tofle, MURA President has remained “ The second survey focused on the needs and interests of our retirees when it comes to MU- By TOM HENDERSON remarkably RA’s stated missions. Not surprisingly, one MURA Past President consistent in its and two-way communication as well as per- hen asked by President Ruth to pro- sonal interaction, were of great importance “Wvide a summary of MURA’s work commitment to to our members. With the explosion of in- and activities during the past decade, I was creasing social media platforms and apps in challenged to how best capture the essence members over the past decade, members continue to value of our service to members. For me, changes technology-based means of communication within MURA largely reflect societal change the past thirty as well as long for the events that provide us in general. I have tried to share several follow- with personal interaction. The ongoing pan- ing examples of change with a minimum of y e ar s .” demic has only heightened the challenges of value laden judgment on my part. staying connected within our membership.

One notable change that has taken place from While change continues at an increasing pace 2011-2020 is in the degree of gender represen- for retirees and society in general, MURA has tation on the MURA Board in general and the role of the Presi- remained remarkably consistent in its commitment to members dent specifically. For the first two decades, the elected Presidents, over the past thirty years. Each year has brought new leaders with with notable exceptions, were male. In the past ten years, females new ideas and energy that always seem to put service above self. have increasingly been nominated and elected to lead our orga- I hope you are as confident as I am that the past ten years are a nization. The same change can be seen in the contributions of window into the great MURA future that lies ahead.”

10 | MURA News | December 2020 MURA Distinguished Service Recognition to 2020 MURA ACKNOWLEDGES ITS LEADERS for their outstanding contributions to the growth and strength of our organiza- tion in meeting its purpose to represent, promote and protect the interests of the retirees and to promote the welfare of the University of Missouri. The following members have been selected for their work on behalf of MURA, MU and UM:

Bailey, Elizabeth Staff Retiree Year 2002 Mason, Marie Staff Retiree Year 1991 Bauman, John MURA President 2000-01 McClure, Ray Staff Retiree Year 2000 Behymer, Jo MURA President 2007; Fac. Ret. Year 2005 McDouble, H.C.** Founder UM Trust Fund 1953-59 Blake Jr., Robert Faculty Retiree Year 2012 McKinin, Emma Jean Faculty Retiree Year 2003 Boyle, Barton MURA President 2009 Miles, Darlene Staff Retiree Year 2005 Bradley, C. Melvin Faculty Retiree Year 1995 Miles, Jack MURA President. 2010; Staff Ret. of Year 2013 Breitenbach, Robert MURA Pres. 1996-97; Fac. Ret. Year 1998 Miller, Max Faculty Retiree Year 2007 Brooks, Brian Faculty Retiree Year 2020 Miller, Phyllis Staff Retiree Year 2014 Brooks, George* MURA Founder Officer; Staff Ret. Year 1992 Morehouse, Georgia Staff Retiree Year 2008 Brown, Herbert* MURA Founder 1990 Morehouse, Larry MURA President 1998 Brown, Thomas G. Faculty Retiree Year 2002 Morgan, Ernest* MURA Founder Officer 1990 Brukardt, Diane MURA President 1999 Mowrer, John L. Faculty Retiree Year 2004 Burcham, Paul** Founder UM Trust Fund 1953-59 Moyes, W. E. (Bill) Staff Retiree Year 1997 Chazal de, Marc* MURA Founder Officer 1990 Oldham, Frank** Founder UM Trust Fund 1953-59 Churchill, Robert J. Faculty Retiree Year 2018 Olson, Judy Staff Retiree Year 2012 Cook, Russell Dale Staff Retiree Year 1995 Otto, Richard J . Staff Retiree Year 2018 Cramer, Charles MURA President 2004 Parker, John Faculty Retiree Year 2011 Creed, James E. Faculty Retiree Year 2009 Peck, Raymond E.** Founder UM Trust Fund 1953-59 Crim, Betty Faculty Retiree Year 1997 Pfander, William H.* MURA President 1994-95 Cunningham, Judith Staff Retiree Year 2011 Polmantier, Paul** Founder UM Trust Fund 1953-59 Dailey, Martha Sue Staff Retiree Year 1999 Porter, Rose MURA President 2012 Dalzel, William* MURA Founder Officer 1990 Preckshot, Geoffrey* MURA President 1992-93 Daniel, Robert S. Faculty Retiree Year 1992 Purdy, Allen W.* Staff Retiree Year 1993 Day, Don Faculty Retiree Year 2014 Rabjohn, Norman* MURA Founder Officer 1990 Dickerson, Kitty MURA President 2015 Raitt, Jill Faculty Retiree Year 2019 Dillow, Rex* MURA Founder Officer 1990 Rexroad, Paul R.* Staff Retiree Year 1996 Eckhardt, W. L.** Founder UM Trust Fund 1953-59 Rhodes, Verna Faculty Retiree Year 2006 Erickson, Nan MURA President. 2011; Fac. Ret. of Year 2016 Rikli, Arthur E.* MURA Founder Officer 1990 Faust, Martin** Founder UM Trust Fund 1953-59 Roberts, Marjorie S.* MURA Founder Officer 1990 Flischel, Albert Staff Retiree Year 1990 Ross, C. V.* MURA Founder President 1990-91 Fratcher, William* MURA Founder Officer 1990 Rottmann, Betty Cook Staff Retiree Year 1998 Ford, Edmund* MURA Founder Officer 1990 Rucker, Frank** Founder UM Trust Fund 1953-59 Freeman, Tom MURA President 2005 Sable, Margie MURA President 2017 Funk, Ernest Faculty Retiree Year 1990 Schroeder, Adolph E Faculty Retiree Year 1994 Garrett, Betsy MURA President 2019 Schroeder, Darlene Staff Retiree Year 2006 Gelatt, Rod MURA President. 2006; Fac. Ret. of Year 2008 Schroeder, Ray** Founder UM Trust Fund 1953-59 Geren, Ron Staff Retiree Year 2020 Scorah, Ralph** Founder UM Trust Fund 1953-59 Gehrke, Charles Faculty Retiree Year 1993 Sechler, Dale Faculty Retiree Year 1996 Groshong, Kee MURA President. 2008; Staff Ret. of Year 2016 Sloan, Marie C. Staff Retiree Year 2017 Hardin, Veralee Faculty Retiree Year 1991 Smith, Gary L. MURA President 2003; Staff Ret. Year 2007 Henderson, Tom MURA President 2015 Sodeman, William** Founder UM Trust Fund 1953-59 Hessler, Richard Faculty Retiree Year 2017 Stewart, Bob Faculty Retiree Year 2013 Hilderbrand, Ernest Staff Retiree Year 2009 Swofford, Ross Faculty Retiree Year 2001 Hiler, Nina Staff Retiree Year 2004 Taggart, Ola Mae Staff Retiree Year 2001 Hindman, Darwin Sr.** Founder UM Trust Fund 1953-59 Taylor, Sandra L. Staff Retiree Year 2019 Hutchinson, Ken MURA President 2013 Thompson, G. B. MURA President 2002 Kennedy, George Faculty Retiree Year 2015 Townsend, Marty MURA President 2016 Kimber, Gordon* MURA Founder 1990 Trickey, Nelson Faculty Retiree Year 1999 Koelling, C.* MURA Founder 1990 Tofle, Ruth Brent MURA President 2020 Koller, Jim MURA President 2014 Troutner, Sue Tucker Staff Retiree Year 2003 Lake, Joyce Staff Retiree Year 2010 Turner, Jo MURA President 2018 Lampe, Anthony W.* Staff Retiree Year 1994 Turner, Susan Staff Retiree Year 2015 Little, Hudson* MURA Founder Officer 1990 Unklesbay, A. G.* MURA Founder Officer 1990 Luebbers, Ralph** Founder UM Trust Fund 1953-59 Wilkening, Walter Faculty Retiree Year 2000 Mangel, Margaret* MURA Founder Officer 1990 Marshall, Robert T. Faculty Retiree Year 2010 * MURA Founder 1990 Mason, Jerome Staff Retiree Year 1991 ** Founder UM Retirement Fund 1953-59

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DON’T MISS the informative bi-weekly MURA Update emails! Please provide any email address updates to Barb Harris, MURA Communications chair, at: [email protected].

UPCOMING EVENTS DATE EVENT TIME LOCATION Need help with Dec. 1, Virtual Breakfast – MU Libraries Special Collections 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. Zoom webinar. Link will be sent in 2020 Staff; “From Clay Tablets to Tiny Books: Treasures of MURA email. problems? the MU Libraries Special Collections and Rare Books” If you have unresolved questions about MU-related issues, MURA Dec. 11, Virtual Holiday Social – “Home for the Holidays”; 1:30 to 3 p.m. Zoom gathering with Osher. has two ombudspeople who may 2020 music led by Mike Porter, the annual Trivia Quiz with Link will be sent in MURA email. be able to help you find answers. Dick Otto and members sharing holiday traditions On behalf of MURA members, faculty representative Marty Feb. 2, Virtual Breakfast – James Whitt, Sharp End Heri- 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. Zoom webinar. Link will be sent in Townsend or staff representa- 2021 tage Committee chair; “Columbia’s African American MURA email. tive Nancy Schultz can help Heritage Trail” investigate hard-to-navigate information. March 2, Virtual Breakfast – Michael J Budds, Curators’ Dis- 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. Zoom webinar. Link will be sent in 2021 tinguished Teaching Professor Emeritus, Musicology; MURA email. Contact them at “Music in Missouri: A Bicentennial Perspective” [email protected] or [email protected].

NOTES: Zoom links will be posted in Upcoming Events on the MURA website. MURA News is published by the MU Zoom events can be accessed on a computer with internet access or via the Zoom app on a smart phone. Retirees Association. The Zoom app is available for iPhone from the Apple App Store or for Android at Google Play. Maggie Walter, managing editor Ginny Booker, designer

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12 | MURA News | December 2020