Recently in the Dean's Column Category

Dear Extension Retirees,

Please plan on joining us for lunch and a fun opportunity to catch up with fellow Extension retirees during our annual Extension Dean's lunch with retirees on Tuesday, July 23 at the Midland Hills Country Club in Roseville. This year, we are also adding a second luncheon location and date for those who live in Greater Minnesota. Please join us on Monday, June 24 at the Holiday Inn in Detroit Lakes. All are invited to attend one or both events; a more formal invitation will be sent in the next month.

I look forward to seeing you this summer!

Bev Durgan

Dear Extension Retirees,

Over the last five years, you have helped to grow Extension's development and fundraising capacity. Working with our first development officer, Matt Musel, many of you have helped raise more than $4 million for Extension programs including agriculture, natural resources, leadership and families. The development team now also includes two part-time major gift officers, Jayne Hager Dee and Nancy Frosaker, and five student workers.

Earlier this fall, Matt moved on to other opportunities in fundraising and politics and we welcomed Jane Johnson as our new chief development officer. Jane is a third generation Golden Gopher, with a degree in design from the College of Human Ecology. She comes to us with a wealth of development experience, including the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum, University of Minnesota Foundation, Minnesota Museum of Art, and the Regional Parks Foundation of the Twin Cities. Jane will be working alongside Cara Miller, director of the Minnesota 4-H Foundation.   

I thank you for your generous support of Extension and I look forward to working with you and Jane. Together we can continue to grow Extension's reach and impact through gifts that support Extension education and research.

Bev Durgan

Dear Extension Retirees,

Please join me for the Extension retiree lunch on Tuesday, July 17 from 1-3 p.m. at the Midland Hills Country Club, 2001 Fulham Street, Roseville. The lunch is an annual opportunity to connect with fellow Extension retirees and hear about what is happening at the University of Minnesota and Extension. This year's event also features special guest, Julie Weisenhorn, state Master Gardener director. This summer celebrates the 35th anniversary of the Master Gardener Program and Julie will share some of the major highlights of this successful volunteer program.

If you'd like to attend the luncheon, please RSVP to Gwen Gmeinder by July 9. I look forward to seeing you all there.  

Bev Durgan

Dear Extension Retirees,

Thank you for your financial support of Extension throughout the years, and for your years of service to Extension. Your contributions are greatly valued, and your passion and dedication to Extension continues to make a difference.

Last fall Extension created a four question survey to gather information that will help us improve communication with retirees and receive valuable feedback on various Extension initiatives. If you haven't already, please take a moment to complete the online survey today. We look forward to hearing from you!

Over the past year Extension has worked with Chelsea Berndt, University of Minnesota student in agricultural education, to create the Extension Retiree Survey. Chelsea graduated in December with her B.S. in agricultural education, specialization in adult leadership and communications.

I am pleased to introduce Sadie Schroeder, our new development intern. Sadie is a communication studies major at the University, a 2010 graduate of Owatonna High School, and was a 4-H'er in Steele County for 15 years. She will be working closely with Matt Musel, Extension development officer, on projects related to enhancing Extension retiree initiatives.

Bev Durgan, Dean

Dear Extension Retirees,

I hope you are able to join me and your fellow Extension retirees on Tuesday, August 23 for our annual retiree celebration. This year, we will be hosting a luncheon to honor our retirees at the Holiday Inn Hotel and Suites in Maple Grove.

So please mark your calendars for Tuesday, August 23, 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. and plan on joining us to see old friends and hear the latest updates on Extension.

Please watch for the email invitation and be sure to RSVP to Gwen Gmeinder (g-gmei@umn.edu, 612-625-6795) by August 15.

I look forward to catching up with you in August!

Bev Durgan, Dean

Dear Extension Retirees,

It was great to see and connect with all of you who attended the Extension retiree reception on October 28. As we move into a new budget cycle with a new governor, new legislators and new University president in July, we can be confident that Extension has made a difference in Minnesota while increasing visibility and building public support for the University.

With more than 500 state advisory committee members, 34,500 volunteers, 700,000 annual program participants and 13 million website visits a year, Extension continues to take University research and education into people's lives, engaging Minnesotans to address many of today's complex issues: water quality, food safety and security, childhood obesity, rural economic development, farm profitability, family finances, youth development, renewable energy and natural disasters just to name a few.

Thank you for your part in Extension's success, both with your past work and with your continued involvement and support.

Dear Extension Retirees,

The date for the annual reception for Extension retirees has been changed to October 28, from 2-4 p.m. at the University's new Urban Research and Outreach Center in Minneapolis.

I hope the date change is not an inconvenience for you, as I am looking forward to seeing you all once again this fall! Last year, we gathered at the State Fair in celebration of Extension's Centennial. This year, we will hold the reception in a much newer University and Extension facility. The University's Urban Research and Outreach/Engagement Center (UROC) is located at 2001 Plymouth Avenue North, Minneapolis (view map).

The multipurpose facility provides opportunities for University services and community organizations to conduct programs and pursue initiatives and projects to discover solutions to complex issues facing urban communities. Extension programs that have a presence at the UROC include: Urban 4-H Youth Development, Simply Good Eating, Hennepin County Master Gardeners and Operation Frontline.

So please mark your calendars for October 28 and plan on joining us to see old friends and hear about Extension's latest initiatives. We will meet at 2 p.m. for refreshments and a tour of the facility. Watch for an invitation with directions and a request for your RSVP coming soon.

Bev Durgan, Dean

Dear Extension Retirees,

I am looking forward to hosting our annual reception for Extension retirees on Thursday, September 23. Please mark your calendars and plan on joining us to see old friends and hear about Extension's latest initiatives. This year's event will take place in a new and exciting venue - the University's Urban Research and Outreach/Engagement Center (UROC) at 2001 Plymouth Avenue North, Minneapolis.

The multipurpose facility provides opportunities for University services and community organizations to conduct programs and pursue initiatives and projects to discover solutions to complex issues facing urban communities. Extension programs that will have a presence at the UROC include: Urban 4H Youth Development, Simply Good Eating, Hennepin County Master Gardeners and Operation Frontline. Read more about the facility and the initiatives it serves on the UROC website.

Please plan on joining us at 2 p.m. for refreshments and a tour of the facility. An invitation with directions and a request for your RSVP will be sent later this summer.

Bev Durgan
Dean

It was a pleasure to see so many Extension retirees at Extension's Centennial celebration during the State Fair. More than 300 Extension retirees, partners, donors, friends and staff came together in celebration of our 100 years of making Minnesota a better place to live, work and play. Our history is certainly something we can all be proud of as we continue to build new partnerships and discoveries for the next 100 years.

You can continue to enjoy our history and special event by visiting the Centennial site. There you will find photos of the event.

Thank you for your many contributions to Extension's history and your continued support of Extension's future. Together we have and will continue to make a difference in Minnesota.

Dear Extension Retirees,

You are invited to join us in celebrating Extension's Centennial on Thursday, September 3, from 1 to 2:30 p.m. in the 4-H Building at the Minnesota State Fair. We will have a short program, light refreshments and a special performance of Arts-In during our celebration.

You should have received an invitation in the mail with details. If you are planning to attend, please RSVP to Gwen Gmeinder no later than August 20; call 612-625-6795 or e-mail g-gmei@umn.edu.

I know that mobility is an issue for some, so if you need assistance, please let us know that when you register.

I look forward to seeing you at the celebration!