 Dear Senior Academy Members, This year, more than 12 months after COVID-19 was declared a pandemic and upended all our lives, celebrations of Passover and Easter fell into a time with temperatures that were at times very cold at others summerly warm but with strong and welcome signs of spring. Maybe because in contrast to the challenges of the pandemic and maybe because the observation is correct, the flowering trees seem particularly brilliant and lush. On the last day of March, Shelley Spicuzza, digital fabrication and Imaging Lab coordinator at the Herron School of Art + Design, together with two of her students, gave a virtual tour and fascinating demonstration about new ways of making and seeing art assisted with computer-driven design and manufacture. Ms. Spicuzza’s slides of Digital Handmade are posted to the Senior Academy website under Past Events. You may also be interested in Herron’s year-end exhibition, Look/See (at the bottom of the page the open dates for exhibit are highlighted). As more people are vaccinated and as the campus is loosening some of the in-person restrictions to gather in closed spaces, it is possible to visit the lab, making an appointment with Ms. Spicuzzza by email beforehand. As part of the gradual opening of places, the Senior Academy’s first in-person event this year is a tour of the Madam Walker Legacy Center on Wednesday, April 28, 2021 at 2 p.m. You can register for the event on the Senior Academy website under upcoming events. As exciting as this opportunity to connect with participating Senior Academy members is, for the time being the regular monthly meetings of the IUPUI String Theory Group and the Social Hour continue via Zoom. Similarly, the Senior Academy’s sponsorship of Spirit & Place and, as a result, active participation in its upcoming Living Stories events with focus on “An Evening with Elaine Pagels” are via Zoom as is the presentation “The Transition—Retirees’ Stories of Exploring & Taking Different Routes” in the series “Road to Retirement: Planning Your Retirement from Indiana University” Human Resources has created in lieu of the traditional Pre-Retirement Symposium of pre-COVID-19 pandemic times. Toward the end of April, the Nominating Committee, chaired by Mark Grove, will contact you about the upcoming election of new members to the board. I encourage you to consider service on the Senior Academy’s Board or any of its committees, providing the currently serving members with valuable insight and suggestions to expand and improve the Academy’s events, reach and impact. Please contact Mark (ude[dot]iupui[at]evorgm) or me with your particular interests and ideas and what kind of role you would like to play. The election will be conducted electronically, and the results will be announced at the Annual Meeting on Thursday, June 10, 2021, from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Mindful of the lingering impact of COVID-19, members are invited to an outdoor luncheon gathering in Eagle Creek Park, Shelter A (directions will follow with the invitation and as part of the registration). The shelter is roofed, has easy access and restrooms. Please, mark your calendars and join fellow members for conversations among colleagues and friends in person, no longer virtual. Marianne S. Wokeck For questions and comments, contact us at ude[dot]iupui[at]ymedacas. |
