Chan Lee was looking for a way to connect with old friends. Lee, who retired from his position teaching finance at Minnesota State University's College of Business in 2006, thought that the university-wide retiree club might do the trick.
"But I didn't know anybody there," he admits. "I felt lost. That's when I thought that maybe the College of Business should have its own retiree gathering."
Lee mentioned his thought to Dean Scott Johnson, who thought it was a great idea and offered to help put it together. And so, on December 19, the first official Emeriti Faculty and Staff Luncheon took place in the Centennial Student Union. Between emeriti and current faculty as well as staff members and the Dean, 19 people attended.
"It was great," says Oliver Mulford, who taught economics and management at Minnesota State University during his 33-year tenure. "It was a chance to see some of the other retired faculty who live around here. You'd think that we'd see encounter each other more than we do, but there were some I hadn't seen in quite a long time."
Verone Nelson, the senior administrative assistant in the Dean's Office who has worked at the University since 1964, felt the same way. Although she occasionally sees emeriti faculty around town or in the office, she appreciated the opportunity to catch up and reminisce with several at once.
"I feel like I grew up with the College of Business," says Nelson, who was 20 years old when she started. She remembers using ditto machines and mimeographs instead of copiers and helping students register on orange cards instead of computers. "There's been a lot of variety, a lot of humor, and some sadness too. But everyone has been so friendly and kind. It's been a good, intelligent faculty who are kind and easy to work with."
The willingness of those emeriti faculty who live in the area to come to the event meant a lot to Nelson, and to the College.
"It shows that they think that this was a good place to work and that they enjoy each other," Nelson says. "Everybody gets along so well."
Johnson would like the luncheon to become an annual event. Lee would like that too-but he's got even bigger plans for this group. He hopes that he and other local emeriti can meet quarterly to stay connected both to each other and to the University. He'd love to entice those who live farther away to come back on occasion as well.
"We can exchange ideas, help each other, and support the University," Lee says. "We should try to know what's going on at the College of Business so that, if they need our help, we can try to help."
Perhaps more importantly, however, he's looking forward to maintaining friendships with other retired faculty.
"It is so nice to be connected," he says. "After I retired, I feel like I got lost. By getting together with this group, I feel much more involved. I feel much better."
