As mentioned in the September 2012 Retiree Community Newsletter, a special committee
has been developing an RFA blueprint for the next decade. We project the RFA
will be a major resource for the University and the Emeriti Center in the intellectual
and social lives of USC retired faculty and their spouses/partners or widows/widowers.
It will serve as an advocate for maintenance of retired faculty rights and privileges. Not
only will it facilitate new retiree interconnections to the University; it also will seek to
strengthen bonds of the University to its more than 1100 retired faculty.

The RFA is a key resource for the longer, healthier, and more interesting “4th quarter”
many of us now enjoy.  It currently represents and advocates for the interests of retired
faculty in the larger USC community and provides opportunities to enjoy travel, music
and art, to attend stimulating lectures, to socialize, and to be part of a human connection
that stands by each other in both good and difficult times.  Retired faculty are distinctive in
our growing engagement with a complex student body, including the largest number of
international students of any American university, and in providing financial support for
students drawn from diverse neighborhoods of the great global city surrounding us.

However, we believe the RFA can do more to promote our members’ well-being; contribute
to their collegiality, intellectual and social interests; and support USC’s mission in the 21st
Century.  Several activities have been proposed:

* identifying possible sources of support for retirees to complete meaningful research;
* collaborating with USC academic units as investigators, advisors and guest lecturers;
* initiating a program of retired faculty affiliates in USC’s residence halls;
* videotaping select Sherry Hour and other presentations for retirees and alumni
* developing and hosting interactive webinars and “salons”/discussion groups on
topics of mutual interest;
* supporting localized social networks to promote different kinds of informal
“neighborhood” activities;
*  promoting access by all retired faculty to electronic resources;
*  increasing RFA support for the Caldwell Scholars; and
*  creating an updated RFA history in time for our 65th anniversary celebration in 2014.

To implement these and other activities, we need to know what interests you and how you might
participate to make these aspirations become reality.  More information will be provided on the
RFA website. We look forward to hearing from you via telephone, email or snail mail.

Street/USC Magnet School for Visual and Performing Arts, a member of the USC Family of Schools.  The
gift was made in memory of Dr. Robert L. Baker, former RFA president and emeritus professor of the Rossier
School of Education.  The fund was made possible by individual donations from Board members who chose the
32nd Street/USC Magnet School, in accordance with the Baker family’s wishes to support local public schools.

Phoebe Liebig, RFA president, presented the gift to the principal, Mr Ezequiel Gonzalez, a graduate of the Rossier
School. Attending the festivities were RFA Board members Kaaren Hoffman, Jack Sanders, Bob Stallings and Victor
M. Webb, along with Janette Brown, Executive Director of the USC Emeriti Center, and Kim Barrios Thomas, Director of the USC Neighborhood Academic Initiative representing the USC Office of Civic Engagement. Kate Baker, Dr. Baker’s  daughter, represented his family.

The USC guests were  entertained by the school’s Jazz Band, with original poetry by drama students and
songs by music students.  The students, principal and vice principal were extremely appreciative of the RFA’s gift.
Light refreshments were provided by the 32nd Street parents and certificates of appreciation were presented to all
USC personnel. The RFA visit ended with a brief tour of the school led by Mr. Gonzalez and parent, Guadalupe Lopez, marking a grand opportunity for the RFA to express its ongoing support for USC’s neighborhood schools.

RFA Programs and Opportunities

Sherry Hours
Visions and Voices–RFA group attendance
Special tours, musical events, regional travel
Ombudsman/advocacy efforts for RFA members
Membership on University committees
Teach Emeriti Center College courses
Participate in research related to older adults
Support Caldwell Scholars
Intergenerational Forum (current events)

New Initiatives

Trojan Global Intergenerational Friends (international students)
Local informal gatherings
Webinar series
Salons (discussion groups on selected topics)
RFA history/archives project
RFA 65th anniversary celebration

Stay Informed and Connected

Website:  rfa.usc.edu
Blog: uscrfa.blogspot.com
Twitter: RFA on Twitter@USCrfa

According to Brown, this award “acknowledges special service by a retired USC faculty member to any academic or administrative unit at USC following their retirement. Nominees must have  made outstanding voluntary contributions toward enhancing the overall quality of university life for students, faculty, staff, alumni, retirees, or other members of the USC community, and have contributed to the positive collegial spirit of the Trojan Family.”

Robert Coffey served on the Faculty of the Marshall School of Business. He was elected as President of the Retired Faculty Association in 2004, after holding other major positions on the RFA  Board. He served as a member of the Emeriti Center Executive Committee and as RFA’s liaison to the Academic Senate.

According to Jerome Walker, Director of the USC Emeriti College, Bob’s collegial spirit epitomizes the warmth and spirit of the Emeriti Center’s motto, “Colleagues for Life.” Walker observed that he himself had been the beneficiary of Walker’s collegiality during the period when he was making his transition into retirement.

This year 58 faculty retirees were honored. According to William Petak, RFA’s President Elect, these honorees together have given USC a total 1,563 years of service. The average period of service was 27.4 years.

The luncheon featured an address by Provost Elizabeth Garret. “Today we honor your careers and your contributions that have helped shape USC into a world-class institution that has grown steadily in academic renown and societal influence,” she said “You reflect the virtues of respect and commitment to service that are part of USC’s DNA.”

“Your contributions and successes have led us to this defining moment in our institution’s history, a moment where we are able to draw the top students and faculty from around the globe,” Garrett continued. “[This is] a moment when we are creating new research or creative work that is improving, and, in fact, defining culture. The success that has compelled us to seize this moment is the direct result of your energy, your accomplishments and your influences.”

This report details RFA’s accomplishments and activities during 2011-2012.

It would be well worth your time to read this report.  You will be impressed by the major advances that RFA is making, particularly in configuring its goals to USC’s new Strategic Vision.

To read the 2011-2012 End-of-Year Report, click here. You can also find this report in the RFA Archives, located in the Governance section of this website.

On Friday, September 14, RFA Board members gathered to honor Caldwell Scholars–current and former USC undergraduate students from high schools in the University’s neighborhood. Each year RFA invites these scholars for a luncheon and for a conversation about experiences at USC and about their after-graduation plans.

This year, three scholars attended: Eva Guadalupe Ortega, Jazmin Owens, and former scholar, Shaveonte Graham.

Attendees also included USC administration officials: Craig Keys, Associate Senior Vice President,  USC Civic Engagement; Thomas McWhorter, Dean of Financial Aid; Lisa Rhone, Assistant Dean of USC Admissions; Karen Ammons, Program Director, USC Neighborhood Academic Initiative and Dr. Janette Brown, Executive Director of the USC Emeriti Center.

In honor of the late Russell Caldwell, Professor of History, who was a resident in USC’s neighborhood, USC’s Office of Financial Aid and the Retired Faculty Association serve as co-sponsors of the Caldwell ScholarsProgram.  Students who are designated as Caldwell Scholars are awarded scholarship support through USC’s financial aid system.

Thank you, Bob.

In order to access this archive of RFA Board minutes, go to this site’s governance section. Move to the bottom of the page, where you’ll find links to various components of RFA’s archives. If you would like to preview Bob Stallings’ collection of Board minutes, click here.

Our guest speaker will be Diane Winston, Knight Professor of  Media and Religion in the Annenberg Center.  She holds a joint appointment in the School of Religion of Dornsife College.  Her book, The Oxford Handbook on Religion and the American News Media, is to be published this year by Oxford University Press.  An expert on how religion is treated in the media, she will speak to us on “Religion in Political Discourse: Today’s Headlines as Part of an Eighty-year-old Process.”  What could be more timely?

RSVP to ecrsvp@usc.edu or 213 740-7122, no later than Monday, October 8, 2012.

 There is no charge for this event.  Three kinds of sherry, sparkling cider, water, and light refreshments will be served.  Should you need additional details, please contact Ruberta Weaver at ruberta@cox.net.

Parking: It is recommended that you park in Structure D (with elevator) or Structure X (without elevator).  For Structure D, enter at Gate 4, Jefferson Blvd. at Royal St. (across from the Shrine).  For Structure X, enter at Gate 3, Figueroa at McCarthy Way.  Structure X is closest to Doheny Library.  Courtesy parking is available for retirees with a Gold Card; all others, $8.00.

Chaired by Phoebe Liebig RFA’s Strategic Vision Committee has been meeting regularly during the summer months.  Its report will be presented to the entire RFA Board early in the 2012-2013 academic year.