UT Shield

Interest Groups and Activities

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

TRAVEL

2025 Update and 2026 ANNOUNCEMENTS!!!

RFSA travelers are back home after amazing trips to Peru and Historic Trains! And then…TUSCANY… the final 2025 trip for RFSA still has a few seats available – SO HURRY FAST!  The TREASURES OF TUSCANY tour, October 1-10, will provide 10 days in the beautiful Tuscany region of northern Italy, with Florence and Siena as hubs for several excursions.  Autumn in northern Italy is beckoning!! Don’t miss out on this cultural immersion into the history, lifestyle, scenery and cuisine of Tuscany.  Watch the zoom trip preview meeting for this tour at:  www.relaxedescapes.com/groups and contact Lori Threatt for reservation information.

BIG NEWS.  THREE fantastic trips in 2026!!! 

Danube Dreams Westbond River Cruise with Prague – March 27 – April 7, 2026

Sail the Danube River with Avalon Waterways through Hungary, Slovakia, Austria, and Germany, exploring vibrant capitals and charming towns with guided tours, scenic landscapes, and cultural treasures—from Budapest to Regensburg, with a grand finale in enchanting Prague. Highlights include wine tastings in the Wachau Valley, imperial Vienna, and historic old towns full of character and charm.  

Pricing starts at $2,955 based on (double occupancy Category E and D) and includes 1-day pre-cruise night in Budapest, 8-day Danube River Cruise, 2 nights in Prague, most cruise excursions, prepaid gratuities, and a $100 fundraiser for UT RFSA.  Price does not include travel Insurance or airfare.  Group airfare will be offered at a later date.  River Cruise ships are small and space will sell out quickly.

11-Day Denali Explorer Cruise Tour – Aug 1-12, 2026

Escape the heat and experience the best of Alaska with a 7-day cruise on the Discovery Princess beginning in Vancouver through the stunning Inside Passage, featuring breathtaking glaciers and wildlife sightings. Then seamlessly transition to a 4-night land tour via Princess Cruise’s exclusive Direct-to-the-Wilderness rail service, exploring the majestic landscapes of Mt. McKinley, Denali National Park, and Fairbanks. 

Price starts at $3,172 based on double occupancy.  Price does not include insurance, gratuities or airfare.  $50 Onboard Credit per cabin.  The price includes a $100 fundraiser for UT RFSA. 

Autumn Fall Colors in the Adirondacks and Finger Lakes Region: Sept 20-28, 2026

Autumn is an exciting time to visit New York’s Adirondacks and Finger Lakes region. Tour the picturesque Sonnenberg Gardens and have lunch in beautiful Belhurst Castle. Learn the history of our nation’s pastime, baseball in Cooperstown and enjoy a narrated lunch cruise on scenic Lake George. Explore the 1000 Islands of the St. Lawrence River on a cruise to historic Dark Island, home to Singer Castle.

Price: $3,199 plus gratuities, based on double occupancy. $900 Roundtrip Economy Air is available if desired. There is a limited-time $125 per person discount. Guaranteed share program for those who need a roommate. The price includes a $100 fundraiser for RFSA.

Sign Up To Be Notified of Upcoming Trip Preview Meetings

Use this link to receive an invitation to the trip preview meetings once they are scheduled.  Alternatively you can contact Kathy or Richard Armenta at karmenta@utexas.edu or richardarmenta@ymail.com  or our travel advisor, Lori Threatt at lori@relaxedescapes.com to be added to the invitation list.

RECENT TRIP PHOTOS:

Travel Survey results: https://sites.utexas.edu/rfsa/files/2025/02/RFSA-Summary-of-Survey-Responses.pdf

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

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:

  • Speakers will resume in September.

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

View photos from the Speaker Series

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 Art Museum, April 22, 2025 – Madeline Sutherland-Meier, Sally Van Sickle, Neil Crump and guide Larry McCullough

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

ARTS AND CULTURE 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.

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]

UT Austin Benefits Fair – SAVE THE DATE (July 22, July 25): UT Austin would like to invite you to join us for the HealthPoint & Benefits Fair on July 22 and July 25. To confirm attendance,  please complete the Qualtrics survey here. The event will provide an opportunity to interact with 2000+ faculty and staff.

  • UT Austin Main Campus, Date: Tuesday, July 22, 2025, Event time: 10:00 – 2:00 pm, Event Location: Gregory Gym Annex Gym (GRE), 2101 Speedway
  • Pickle Research Center, Date: Friday, July 25, 2025, Event time: 10:00 – 2:00 pm, Event Location: J.J Pickle Research Center (PRC), Commons Conference Center Atrium, 10100 Burnet Rd. Building 137

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.