History

In late fall 2007 just two years after the University celebrated its 40^th anniversary, it was clear faculty and staff who had served 15, 20, and 30 + years, were now retiring in greater numbers. This cohort of women and men who had built this great institution were still active as they left the day-to-day workforce. USI Foundation president David A. Bower, recognized the value in offering these long-serving and generous “University Founders” opportunities to be involved in University life after they retired.

David asked Vice President Emerita for Advancement Sherrianne M. Standley, who was transitioning to retirement, if she would serve as the catalyst for a retirees' organization. Sherrianne agreed and her first call was to friend and colleague, Professor Emerita of English, Dr. Sherry B. Darrell. Together they began forming what is now known as the USI Retirees Association.

The first step was to convene retirees. The USI Foundation offered to host an annual luncheon for all retirees. The first luncheon was held at the Kennel Club of Evansville on January 26, 2008, which serves as the official date of the organization of a retiree group. This winter luncheon continued and was held again on February 7, 2009 and February 20, 2010. The first summer reception hosted by the Foundation was held the afternoon of August 24, 2010 at University Home and now both events are held annually in the Great Hall of the Griffin Center.

In these early years the retirees planned for its rules of governance, bylaws, official annual dues, other events and gatherings, and envisioned publishing a newsletter. The inaugural organizing committee meeting was held March 7, 2011, the date of an official and formal USI retiree association, with formal bylaws and the nomination and election of the first Coordinating Committee and Officers. President Linda L. M. Bennett approved this as an official University sanctioned group.

Here is the list of those who have served in a leadership capacity:

Co-organizers:

Sherrianne M. Standley & Sherry B. Darrell       October 2007 to March 2011 

President: 

This History section was updated in February 2022.

Active members pay dues of $20 per year. An eight-member Coordinating Council, drawn from active members, governs the organization. USI Retirees publishes a semi-annual newsletter, Vintage Times (edited thus far by Sherrianne Standley and Sherry Darrell), and communicates with members through postal and email addresses and a website accessible through USI's homepage.  This organization works closely with the USI Foundation, which provides staff support, printing, and mailing. 

Typically USI retirees meet several times each year for programs and social gatherings, including pizza at the beginnings of fall and spring semesters, lunch at the Griffin Center in February and a late afternoon reception in July at the Griffin Center, both sponsored by the USI Foundation. At these two events the University president speaks and invites questions about University and campus life. Various educational programs also are led by retirees or community experts. The annual general meeting occurs on the third Thursday in November, usually in Kleymeyer Auditorium, lower level of the Liberal Arts Center, with dues for active members due by that meeting.

For further information, see names and email addresses for Coordinating Council members.

Founding Members

These persons are founding members of USI Retirees:

*Deceased