UT Shield

UT Retired Faculty-Staff Association

The University of Texas at Austin

Interest Groups and Activities

Members and their guests may participate in any or all of the following groups.

SPEAKER SERIES

These events will be held at a branch of Austin Public Libraries (Yarbrough, Howson and Old Quarry), generally on the second Wednesday of each month. Speaker Series includes Finance/Investments, Interdisciplinary Topics, Health and Discussion Topics.

“Medical Directives” (11/13/2024)

UPCOMING SPEAKERS:

  • Stay tuned – next speaker planned for January 11!

Co-Chairs: Phil Kelton, 512-466-9120, Alice Reinarz, 979-571-7723

View photos from the Speaker Series

TRAVEL

ANNOUNCING  EXCITING TRAVEL ADVENTURES FOR RFSA 2025!!!

The Travel Committee is excited to share our 2025 Travel Adventures Line Up!!  These trips are VERY POPULAR and in HIGH DEMAND.  So early registration can save your spot! We are offering three unique tours and destinations, designed to appeal to senior travelers. Each trip fee includes $100 designated for the  RFSA fundraiser, supporting all of our programs and activities.  So travel with us AND support RFSA as well!

DON’T MISS OUT! SEATS ARE FILLING UP!

Watch Zoom Preview Meetings: www.relaxedescapes.com/groups

  • Mystical Peru: April 29 – May 7, 2025, for a “bucket list” trip to “Mystical Peru”, featuring a visit to Machu Picchu and many other excursions.
  • Historic Trains of the Old West: June 2 – 10, 2025, a trip through Colorado and New Mexico, featuring three historic train rides and many sights in between. We will experience 3 different historic railroads along the way.
  • Treasures of Tuscany: October 1 – 10, 2025, ten days in the beautiful Tuscany region of northern Italy, with Florence and Siena as hubs for several excursions.

Travel Agent Information: Contact Lori Threatt from Relaxed Escapes at lori@relaxedescapes.com or by phone at 737-228-3680, or visit www.relaxedescapes.com/groups.

RECENT TRIP PHOTOS:

Co-Chairs: Kathy and Richard Armenta 512-262-7019

FOODIESFoodies 10/21/22 at Sawyers & Co.

The purpose of this group is to provide an opportunity for RFSA members and a guest to experience interesting restaurants in Austin and to socialize.  Guests will be responsible for their own costs.

Chair: Robert Lawrence, 512-585-6208

View photos from the Foodies group

Blanton Tour 2/16/24
John Worall, Hillary Hart, Madeline Sutherland-Meier at “Public Works” Art by Elizabeth Olds – 2/16/24

ARTS AND CULTURE

This group informs our members of all types of art and culture events: Museums, Music, Dance, Theater, Lectures and more (both on and off campus).

Co-Chairs: Hillary Hart, 512-423-5022 and Madeline Sutherland-Meier, 512-565-0906

HOLIDAY SUGGESTIONS:

  • December 7, 2024: Holiday Bash, featuring Ensemble ATX, Riverbend Centre for the Arts: An ATX Music Holiday Bash: chamber music, holiday-themed cocktails, delicious Christmas cookies, and more.
  • December 6 – 23, 2024: The Nutcracker, Ballet Austin, Dell Hall, Long Center: It wouldn’t be Christmas in Austin without Ballet Austin’s The Nutcracker, the longest-running production of the seasonal classic in the state of Texas.
  • December 7-8, 2024: Butler Holiday Concert, Butler School of Music: This  concert features the UT Jazz band, Combined Choirs, Wind Ensemble, Trombone Choir, Rosetta Quartet, Butler Opera Center, Voice Studios and MT Workshop, Flute Choir, Horn Choir and Early Music Ensemble.
  • December 7, 2024: A Charlie Brown Christmas, Austin Chamber Music, State Theatre: The Austin Chamber Music Center presents a live concert of favorite tunes from the original Charlie Brown music of Vince Guaraldi, featuring pianist Michelle Schumann, bassist Utah Hamrick, drummer David Sierra, and other special guests including Snoopy.
  • December 5, 2024: Tasha Layton, Wake Up It’s Christmas Tour, State Theatre: This concert will feature a mix of beloved Christmas classics and new songs.
  • December 8, 2024: A Very Electric Christmas, Paramount Theatre: A soundtrack of holiday hits from Nat King Cole, Mariah Carey, and Tchaikovsky accompanies this magical and captivating tale of family, friendship, and hope featuring Lightwire’s award-winning electroluminescent puppetry. Please note: This show includes strobes, flashing lights, and is performed in a darkened theatre so that the audience can see the glowing puppets. Some lighting effects may be disruptive to people with photosensitivity.
  • Finally, check out the Paramount Theater’s website for more events, including holiday movies like White Christmas and It’s a Wonderful Life.

ARTS AND CULTURE INTEREST GROUP EVENTS AND ARTS OPPORTUNITIES: 

View photos from the Arts & Culture group

BRIDGE

The Bridge Group meets on the first Monday of each month in the Etter-Harbin Alumni Center from 1:00 – 4:00 PM. Texas Exes provides free parking in the garage, as well as free iced drinks and coffee.

The next RFSA Bridge Group meetings will be held at the Alumni Center on December 2.

We play party bridge, not duplicate, and you do not need to provide your own partner. If you want to join the group or have your name added to the mailing list, you may reserve a spot by contacting Mary Kay Hemenway (mkhemenway@utexas.edu).

Chair: Mary Kay Hemenway, 512-913-6058

View photos from the Bridge group

EXERCISE

A weekly class, designed for RFSA members, meets in Gregory Gym on Monday mornings from 9:00 – 10:00 AM. To participate, you must be a member of RecSports. RecSports membership is $14/month, and there is an additional fee of $10 per month to cover the cost for the class instructor.

Experienced exercise instructor Sandy Erickson leads us in a variety of exercises designed for all ages and fitness levels. She can adapt the exercises for anyone with special needs.

Chair: Carolyn Wylie, 512-453-2556

ADDITIONAL UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS ASSOCIATION ACTIVITIES

TEXAS EXES SUPPORT and COORDINATION: Carol Barrett [512-840-5657]

Volunteerism and Service Learning – Volunteerism and Service Learning’s programs offer students the chance to learn outside the classroom, focusing on service and leadership to learn about the world and themselves during their time at The University of Texas at Austin. VSL envisions a world in which all students become lifelong citizens, embodying the University’s core purpose: “to transform lives for the benefit of society.”

OLLI (Oscher Lifeling Learning Institute) – The University of Texas at Austin Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (UT OLLI) is where curious adults can enjoy classes in a relaxed community of friends, among leading scholars and experts, who share a fascination with exploring new areas of knowledge and traditional disciplines.

AROHE (Association of Retirement Organizations in Higher Education) – RFSA is a member of this international organization. AROHE champions transformative practices to support all ages of faculty and staff retirement, the mutually beneficial engagement of retirees with one another and with their institutions, and their continuing contributions to campus and family life. By sharing research, innovative ideas and successful practices, AROHE supports the development and enhancement of campus-based retirement organizations and programs which support retirees’ lifelong engagement in higher education. The association is an excellent resource for retirement organizations and their membership in assisting with the varying stages of retirement.

SPECIAL EVENT: “Come From Away” is coming back to Austin!

Many of you remember when Kevin Tuerff, former UT student, was our speaker at the October 2017 RFSA Fall Luncheon. Kevin was returning from Europe on 9/11/2001 when U.S. airspace was closed and his jet was diverted to Gander, Newfoundland, along with thousands of other travelers. His experience inspired him to create the non-profit “Pay It Forward 9/11” in 2002, an annual kindness initiative which is celebrated internationally. And the true stories of Kevin and other travelers and residents became the hit musical “Come From Away”, which has played on Broadway and around the world.

On January 4, 2025, RFSA members are invited to the first annual performance of “Come From Away” and fundraiser for “Pay it Forward 9/11”. Your $250/ticket includes a tax-deductible donation, pre-show reception, “Come From Away” ticket and Q&A with the cast after the show. Tickets for this special event are available for a very limited time, so sign up now at payitforward911.org.