President Report
Anne Matoy
Association President, 2016
2016 continued to provide opportunities for the Emeriti Association to meet the organizational purpose of enhancing and encouraging the educational, professional, and social interactions among retirees at Oklahoma State University and to interact with other individuals and groups in ways that enhance the education and welfare of retired persons.
Accomplishments were not possible without the dedication and commitment of many individuals including the officers, council members, and committee chairs—many who have continued to serve the Association and members through years of service. Special thanks to Vickie Sturgeon and Jim Criswell, whose terms as council members expired this year, and to Sharon Brown who chaired the Ambassadors/Alumni Relations Committee for years.
The Emeriti Association’s financial condition continues to be solid. As of December 31, 2016, there were balances of about $7,200 in checking and $23,300 in savings. The Association continues to subsidize the monthly dinner gatherings which are central Association Activities.
We greatly appreciate the support of the Provost’s Office which covers many of our expenses and provides administrative support through Misty Burk, the OLLI assistant. Misty is invaluable to our communications effort to stay in touch with members through the newsletter and monthly updates as well as handling monthly dinner reservations and other routine duties.
Our endowed scholarship fund with the OSU Foundation has an endowment value of $25,600. Our other Foundation fund has a yearend endowment value of about $35,400. Additional tax deductible contributions are always welcome, and we look forward to the time that we can award more than one scholarship a year.
The financial review conducted each year by a committee appointed by the Emeriti President has been favorably completed and approved by the Council.
We urge you to invite prospective members and let both recent and not so recent retirees know of our fun, fellowship, and continued opportunities for service. Unfortunately, during the year we lost several members as the list “In Memoriam” reflects.
Interest groups (Technology, Making the Most of Retirement, Armchair Traveler Series, Investment Club) and travel opportunities continued to provide fun and fellowship opportunities and new avenues for continued learning. Our monthly dinner meetings provided programs that were both entertaining and educational. Meet and Greet before the monthly gatherings provided yet another way to make new friends and renew acquaintances with old ones.
Serving with the Ambassadors and on University and Faculty Committees provided an opportunity for service to the University and a means of keeping us informed of pertinent happenings around campus.
It has been my pleasure to serve as President during 2016 and I look forward to 2017 as a year in which we can continue to serve the University, the community and each other as Emeriti.