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In late fall 2007 just two years after the University celebrated its 40th 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: 

M. Edward Jones            2011
Sherry B. Darrell 2012
Robert L. Reid                2013
John L. Deem                  2014 & 2015
Michael W. Whipple      2016
James H. Bandoli            2017
Philip C. Fisher                2018
Nils I. Johansen              2019
Nancy F. Bizal                2020
Marlene V. Shaw            2021
Cindy S. Brinker            2022
Linda Trible 2023 & 2025
Jeri Burger        2024

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:

Larry Arp* Courtney Klingelhoefer
Joyce Babillis Barbara Marr*
Jeanne Barnett Elna Mattingly
Mary Alice Bertram* Mary McGrew
Barbara Blevins* Jenny Medcraft
Jim & Anita Brown Eula Megli
Nadine Coudret Margie Melvin
Jan Couts* Sharon Morrow
Sherry B. Darrell Richard & Mary Lee* Mussard
John & Pam Deem Oscar & Anita Ozete*
Thomas Dieter* Joe & Marie Palladino
Howard & Barbara Dunn Don & Connie Pitzer
Rolla Dyer* Ronald Roat*
Phil Fisher Mary Lue Russler
Judith Fleck Jim Sanders*
Jay Fredrich* Helen Sands*
Janet Freeman Mary Schroeder
Larry* & Rena Goss Roberta Schweizer
Janet & Richard* Greer Marlene Shaw
Cheryl Griswold Margaret Skoglund*
Barry Hart Sherrianne Standley
Sandy Hatfield Lois* & David Stevens
Jennie Head Ruth Waller*
Carol Hermes* Jim Werner
Wanda Hibbitts* Mike and Zadie Whipple
Ed Jones Jo-Ann Wilson*
Lloyd* & Joan Jost Byron Wright*
Dave & Glenna Kinsey

*Deceased