PURA History: 2006-2007
YEAR IN REVIEW
Officers and Advisor:
President: Michael T. Drayer
Vice President: Betty M. Suddarth
Secretary/Treasurer: Patricia J. Lawson
Historian: Mary Alice Nebold
Past President: Christiane E. Keck
Advisor: Murray M. Blackwelder
Committee Chairpersons:
Benefits: Martha O. Chiscon
Communications: Oscar Hopkins
Hospitality: Lois M. Gotwals and W. Scott Rumble
Program: Paul L. Ziemer
Trips and Tours: Truman G. Martin
Ad-Hoc Committee Chairpersons:
Campus and Community: Richard C. Nelson
Kick-Off Luncheon: Lanny C. Wilson
Living to 100 Securely: Lowell Landrum and Paul L Ziemer
Activities:
Annual Meeting:
President Martin C. Jischke was featured speaker at the annual meeting.
Award Recipients:
Arthur G. Hansen Recognition Award: School of Aeronautics and Astronautics in the College of Engineering. Dr. Thomas N. Farris, Head
Betty M. Nelson Special Recognition Award:Human Resource Services. John Beelke, Director
Benefits:
The Senior Supplemental Health and Prescription Plan was negotiated for the second year with PacifiCare and UnitedHealthRx.
Big Ten Retirees Association Conference:
Past presidents of PURA, Betty M. Nelson, Roy A. Johnson, and
Christiane E. Keck, along with current president, Michael T. Drayer and
vice president, Betty M. Suddarth planned an outstanding 2006 Big Ten
Retirees Association Conference held on Purdue’s campus. Guests from the other Big Ten schools were most impressed with the activities and programs.
Campus Campaign:
As of March 31, 2007, retirees had contributed $29,413,342.00 to “The Campus Campaign for Purdue” that was initiated in 2000. This amount is 51 percent of the total given by members of the campus community -- faculty, staff, and retirees.
Campus and Community Tours:
Tours of new campus buildings (Lawson Computer Sciences, Biomedical
Engineering, and Schwartz Tennis Center) and the new Journal and Courier facilities were offered.
Endowment:
PURA will establish an endowment with the Purdue Foundation using the
$25,000.00 PacifiCare Performance Guarantee reimbursement. Monies
earned by the endowment will benefit Purdue retirees only through means to be determined by PURA.
Handbook:
The revised handbook for new retirees will be formatted as a tri-fold and sent to members with the July PURA Newsletter.
Kickoff Luncheon:
Two hundred members and guests attended the annual kickoff luncheon in August at the University Inn. President Martin C. Jischke was the featured speaker.
Living to 100 – Securely:
The third day-long "Living to 100" conference was held in October at
University Inn. The presentations and discussions focused on financial
concerns of retirees.
Newsletter:
All retirees receive the January and July editions of the PURA Newsletter.
Local retirees receive four additional issues during the year. A special section, entitled "Exploring Senior Living Alternatives," was distributed with the January PURA Newsletter. It was developed for Purdue University retirees and their families by Oscar Hopkins and Richard C. Nelson.
Parking Issues:
Provisions for handicapped parking near Stewart Center were addressed
with the Purdue Police Department. As a result, more spaces were added near the Loeb Theatre entrance.
President Martin C. and Patty Jischke Recognition:
To recognize Martin and Patty Jischke's leadership and accomplishments on campus and in our community and their support of PURA and Purdue retirees, PURA is recommending members contribute to the "Martin C. and Patty Jischke Opportunity Award Endowment." The Purdue Opportunity Award is granted to students who have high financial need, personal hardship(s), and/or other extenuating circumstances. There is one award for each of Indiana’s 92 counties.
Programs:
Monthly meetings, held at MCL, featured a variety of topics presented by engaging speakers. A listing and description of the programs are included with the materials submitted for filing in the Purdue Archives.
Resolution:
At the November 1, 2006, meeting, the Executive Board passed the
resolution that states PURA strongly supports the "Financial Learning
Initiative" announced to West Lafayette Campus Faculty and Staff in a
memorandum issued jointly by Dr. Sally Mason and Dr. Morgan R. Olsen
on October 3, 2006. This initiative is designed to provide opportunities
for faculty and staff to understand retirement issues and to make choices that will ensure financial stability during retirement years.
Spring Fling:
The Hospitality Committee hosted a PURA tent at Spring Fling. They distributed informational cards that included a listing of ongoing benefits official Purdue retirees receive, and an offer from Staff Benefits to make a presentation about preparing for future retirement to all in the departments across campus. Also handed out were PURA tape measures designed to remind us to consider how we measure up for retirement.
Trips and Tours:
Trips to Indianapolis and Auburn, Indiana and Chicago and Springfield, Illinois, were most enjoyable, educational, and entertaining for the more than 100 members and friends who participated.
United Way:
As pacesetters for the United Way Campaign, Purdue retirees gave
$81,024.00 - an increase of eleven percent over the previous year.
Comprehensive reports, regarding the above PURA activities and accomplishments during the year beginning June 2006 and concluding May 2007, are filed in the Purdue Archives.
May 2007
Mary Alice Nebold, Historian
