NEWSLETTER
WINTER/SPRING 2012
AFFiLIATED WITH Wayne State University
SOAR Spring Term Begins April 9
THE CHAIR’S
CORNER
R emembering Norma
As many of you know, Norma Goldman, beloved SOAR member and teacher, lost her battle
to cancer this past fall.
Many years ago when the idea of a Learning in Retirement program was just beginning to
germinate in my head, Norma was the first person I talked to about it. Her encouragement and
willingness to help spurred me on to get the program developed and on its way. Norma served
on the first advisory board and remained on subsequent boards until she entered the hospital.
In 2003 when we were finally ready to open the SOAR program at the Wayne State Oakland
Center, Norma almost single-handedly twisted arms, cajoled, and charmed most of the professors
who taught our first 20 or so classes. What would we have done without her?
Many of our SOAR members enjoyed Norma’s classes on Greek and Roman mythology and
other classic subjects. She eagerly learned how to give powerpoint presentations. New technology was not going to
intimidate her! She traveled to Rome every year and kept her scholarship current even after she retired from the
university. Norma also started the SOAR Singers, a group of members that enjoyed singing and regular get togethers.
Norma’s enthusiasm for and dedication to SOAR were contagious. She loved the organization and we loved her.
She will not be forgotten – ever.
, Chair
Meet the Office Managers
Our Co-office Managers have finished their first full term working with SOAR and meeting the needs of both our
faculty and members. Putting together all of the components necessary for a successful term is an extremely detailed
and laborious task and I feel that both of our managers have achieved all of our expectations in providing us with the
support necessary for an excellent Fall 2011 term. For those of our members who have not met our office managers,
Jennifer Norber and Madhura Marathe, I would like to formally introduce them to our membership.
Jennifer Norber is a graduate
of Oakland Community College
with a major in Mental Health/
Social Work and is a member of
the Phi Theta Kappa National Honor Society.
Jen came to SOAR as a result of a recommendation
of Ann Marie Fischer, Executive Director of
Birmingham Temple where Jen was a Sunday
School Teacher. Jen has extensive experience in
office management, event coordination, marketing
and public relations. Jen and her husband Jeff
have been very active as volunteers in Beaumont
Parenting Program. Jen has two sons Jacob (7)
and Aaron (4).
Madhura Marathe came highly
recommended by a SOAR member
who met Madhura at the Southfield
Public Library where Madhura worked
assisting patrons with the use of
computers. Madhura brings a significant
amount of computer expertise to SOAR and along with Jen
has moved SOAR forward in the area of information
technology. Madhura came to Michigan from Mumbai,
India with her husband Kiran and her son Neel (7).
Madhura is a graduate of Mumbai University and has degrees
in Finance and Economics. She also has a graduate degree
from the National Institute of Information Technology.
Madhura worked for Thirdware Incorporation, a software
company in the capacity of ERP (Enterprise Resource
Planning) Specialist and Consultant for over 5 years.
Come Learn With Us
WSU Oakland Center
33737 West Twelve Mile Road
Farmington Hills, Michigan 48331
Permit No. 167
NONPROFIT ORG
U.S. Postage
PAID
Farmington Hills, MI
FROM
THE
DIRECTOR
SOAR has recently become a taxexempt organization and now, in
accordance with federal and state
law, all donations made to SOAR
are tax deductible. Your donation
will directly benefit our members:
those who attend classes, those
who participate in field trips, and
those who enjoy other educational
and social activities sponsored by
the Society.
Recruiting and maintaining an
excellent faculty, and the quality
of its faculty is the primary reason
why most of you have joined
SOAR, requires a considerable
A Gift To SOAR
amount of time and effort.
With additional assistance
from you, the Society will be
provided with the resources
to support and expand its
already outstanding cadre of
teachers. In addition, your
donations will permit us to
offer enhanced programming
and make SOAR even more
accessible by improving such
processes as registration and
communication.
Memorial or in honor of
giving provides a tangible
way to remember family
members and friends, as well as
former SOAR students and faculty
members. It offers an appropriate
way to express sympathy or congratulations and to assist SOAR as
it strives to offer the highest quality
and most memorable educational,
cultural, and social opportunities
available.
The SOAR Board of Directors
invites your participation. A gift to
SOAR will serve as both a suitable
memorial and a token of your
appreciation.
, Executive Director
A TRIBUTE TO A BELOVED EDUCATOR
In tribute to Norma Goldman, SOAR is in the process of developing
a memorial fund in her name, which will be established at
Wayne State University.
Volunteer News
The SOAR Planning Committee is considering a program to
recognize volunteers who contribute their time, skill and
knowledge to the Society. In order to quantify individual
contributions, SOAR’S current database will have to be updated
so that prospective volunteers for specific tasks can be readily
identified and “volunteer hours” systematically tracked. Equally
important, however, is the quality of volunteer contributions.
They too will have to be evaluated and recognized.
The project, provisionally named “SOAR Cares” is still in the
planning stages, and we eagerly solicit your advice and counsel.
If you wish to share your ideas and/or participate in this proposed
project, please contact the SOAR office and indicate that you
are interested in “SOAR Cares”.
Newsletter prepared by:
Ilene Mathis
Edited by:
Martin Herman
HOW TO CONTACT SOAR
• Phone: 248-489-0005
• Web Site:
www.SOAR.wayne.edu
• E-mail:
SOARcontact@gmail.com
• Office:
Room 148
Oakland Center
• Address:
33737 W. 12 Mile Road
Farmington Hills, MI 48331