It's Payback Time: UMAA National President
9/6/2005 2:45 AMBy Bob Stein, B.S.L. '60, J.D. '61
I'm honored to serve as national president of the UMAA in 2005-06. This will be one more opportunity for me to pay back the University of Minnesota for the many ways it has enriched my life.
I entered the U almost 50 years ago, after graduating from South High School in Minneapolis. I had no need for college counselors to advise me where to apply; I had planned to go to the U of M for as long as I can remember. Frankly, I had no idea of the extraordinary opportunities in store for me-or that the U's law school, which I would go on to attend, was one of the top-ranked law schools in the nation. I just knew I was going to the U, and the marvelous education I received has directed the course of my life.
After practicing law for three years, I was invited to join the faculty of the University of Minnesota and was privileged to be a tenured professor at the U for more than 30 years. During that time, I also served as U vice president for administration and planning for two years and as dean of the law school for 15 years. I also was the U's faculty representative to the NCAA, the Big Ten, and the WCHA for almost 15 years.
For the past 11 years, I have been executive director and chief operating officer of the American Bar Association. The association's offices are in Chicago and Washington, D.C., but even living outside Minnesota I've had numerous opportunities to serve my alma mater. All of us can credit much of the success and richness in our lives to the University, and I believe we all have an obligation to pay back the U for all it has given us. Fortunately, there are many ways we can do so.
One obvious way is to join the UMAA and actively support the University and its mission. Get involved in advocacy efforts through the Legislative Network. Speak up for the U and write a letter to the editor of your local newspaper to spread the word about the value of the University.
Under the leadership of President Bob Bruininks, the University is currently undertaking major restructuring-not only to sustain the quality of life and the economic growth of Minnesota, but to create centers of leadership and educate today's students to solve tomorrow's problems. Alumni can help by rallying behind the president and giving invaluable feedback as the U transforms itself.
The U continues to seek the top students, and alumni can help by recruiting the best and the brightest. Perhaps you know a brilliant high school student in your neighborhood who is looking at other schools. Tell him or her that the U is already one of the best in the nation and is getting even better. Why go anywhere else?
A very enjoyable way to pay back is to become a mentor to a current student or a young alum in your field. And the UMAA has launched a career networking service on M Alumni Online, a new searchable directory of alumni, so you can be a mentor from anywhere in the world.
Of course, whether you live near or far, an important ongoing way to pay back the University is by making a gift-to your college, to intercollegiate athletics, for scholarships and fellowships, for faculty support, or whatever area is most important to you. And don't forget to ask your employer about matching the gift you make.
It's time to pay back the U. And the great thing about payback is the joy that comes in return. Not only will you satisfy a large debt, you'll share in the success of something much bigger than yourself. In a very real way, the University continues to enrich our lives through our efforts to pay back.
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