Our People

TCU Retirees Association Officers 2023–2024

Came to TCU in 1993 as Manager of Printing Services; became Director of Extended Education in 1997; retired 2020. Just for fun… ask me about my cycling passion.

David Grebel

President
d.grebel@tcu.edu

Worked in the Registrar’s Office from 1994 to 2017. Melinda was wizard scheduler of academic classrooms for classes and events – as new buildings, new classrooms and more classes and events needed to be organized – Melinda miraculously managed it all. Just for fun … ask me about “All things Disney”.

Melinda Rubenkoenig

Past President
m.rubenkoenig@tcu.edu

Came to TCU in 1995 as the Lillian Radford Chair of Rhetoric and Composition in the English department. Retired as an emeritus professor in 2019. Just for fun…ask me about when I was stranded on a Greek island in the Summer of 1974 when the military dictatorship was overthrown and democracy was restored!

Rich Enos

Vice President
r.enos@tcu.edu

Born in Stockholm, Sweden. Received his Bachelor’s degree from TCU in 1975 and his master’s in 1978. Served as executive director, Tarrant Area Food Bank, from 1997 to 2020. Voted in as an associate member of TCURA in 2020. Just for fun…ask me about my career in Sweden as a fine arts appraiser and auctioneer.

Bo Soderbergh

Secretary
bo.soderbergh@outlook.com

Member of the TCU Class of 1968. Wendy started working for TCU in 1993 and retired in 2016 as Director of Student Financial Services. Just for fun…ask me about Books or TCU Sports.

Wendy Crowley

Treasurer
wencro@aol.com

Other Council Members

From Erie Pennsylvania; Fred came to TCU in 1974 and taught interior design and lighting until retiring in 2009. Just for fun…ask me about all things lighting or cycling.

Fred Oberkircher

Educational Programming Chair
f.oberkircher@tcu.edu

Her story coming soon.

Shawn Wagner

Membership Chair
s.wagner@tcu.edu

Came to TCU in 1999 to User Services in IT, retiring in 2020 as Information Services Security Engineer. As a security engineer, Lenelda was the gatekeeper to what data you could or couldn’t see on the TCU systems. Just for fun…ask me about my road trips.

Lenelda Pennington

Communications Chair
l.pennington@tcu.edu

Members-at-Large

Came to TCU in 1998 to work in Donor Relations. She retired in 2017 as director of Donor Relations.

Nancy Madsen

Newsletter Editor
n.madsen@tcu.edu

Came to TCU in 2002 as a student and graduated in 2006. Joined the TCU Donor Relations team in 2012 before moving on as the Manager of Parent Relations for All Saints' Episcopal School in Fort Worth. Just for fun... ask me about when I took a live kangaroo through DFW airport.

Ashley Sutton

Newsletter Designer
Ashley.j.sutton@gmail.com

HR Benefits Consultant – Retirement. Texas Christian University. Just for fun…ask me about chocolate.

Robin Scruton

TCU HR Liaison
817-257-5017
r.scruton@tcu.edu

Governance

The objective of the TCU Retirees Association is to promote the general welfare of its members and of Texas Christian University.

Executive Council Meetings

All meetings will be held on Mondays in the Monroe Conference Room at the Kelly Alumni Center beginning at 10:00am and will dismiss by no later than 12:00 noon.

TCURA Job Descriptions

President

Oversee everything!!
Confirm dates for luncheons (fall and spring) and reserve room for meetings
Confirm date/place for summer Coffee with the Chancellor
Provide headshot and message for web site
Obtain web access for luncheon registrations
Provide registration information to the Kelly Center
Write monthly newsletter column
Schedule Executive Council meetings – date/time/place – send agenda/reminder weekend before
Meet with new officers/committee chairs
Coordinate with past-president on TCU Treasure selection process
File financial request for TCU Treasure
Provide Annual report
Meet annually with Chancellor to update and confirm budget needs (Mar/Apr)
November – promote TCU Gives Day (October/November newsletters)
Follow up on luncheon reminders
Summer – June and August newsletter deadlines
AROHE membership renewal
AROHE biennial conference attendance

Vice President

Serve as chair of Program Committee
Monthly luncheon speaker – info (write-up and photo) to newsletter editor by deadline
Deadline with Catering and Kelly Center is Tuesday a week before luncheon.
Provide luncheon registration information to Sodexo one week prior to luncheon
Deadline for reservations is the Monday a week before luncheon.
Develop special outings with help from committee members
Educational programs
Coordinate SIGS – Book group (Judy Smith – o.smith@tcu.edu), Mah-jongg – Jane Mackay (j.mackay@tcu.edu), Bridge – Nancy Madsen (n.madsen@tcu.edu), Arts & Antiques – Gail and Jack Davis (gdavis@twu.edu, davis@unt.edu)
Ensure SIG chairs provide info to Newsletter editor for newsletters
Serve as contact person for those interested in starting a SIG

Secretary

Take minutes at EC meetings
Distribute minutes prior to EC meetings
Provide luncheon lists to board members
Send out notices

Past President

Serve on the UCAC Committee as TCURA representative with focus on needs of retirees (particularly in terms of health care decisions)
Provide monthly reports of UCAC activity to EC
Chair Nominating committee
Be a resource for the EC
Help develop programming for special events

Treasurer

Manage the budget and keep records of all expenditures and income
Collect money at luncheons
Provide budget reports monthly
Maintain budgetary policies of the university

Committee Responsibilities

Communications

Manage TCURA web presence
Lead an annual review of the TCURA website
Oversee implementation of web changes as determined by the board
Liaise with webmaster and ensure information of the website is up to date
Provide support for the editor of the newsletter as requested
Manage annual updates to the TCURA brochure and distribution to current membership and new retirees
Oversee the organization’s branding efforts

Membership

Get monthly retiree list from HR – prepare welcome letters/emails/brochures (updated as year progresses) for HR to mail
Add info (from Frog Calls or other sources) for new retirees and forward to List Master
Include activity insert/handout in letters to new retirees
Identify potential Associate members
Encourage participation from all members/associates/spouses/surviving spouses
Write condolence notes to families of retirees who have passed away

Educational Programming

Develop occasional pre-luncheon programs on health, wellness, and other issues of concern to retirees
Advocate with HR on health benefits
Coordinate “Pathways to a Successful Retirement”

Newsletter Editor

Develop monthly newsletter (except August)
Set and maintain deadlines for newsletter items and inform EC members
Solicit articles from president, committee chairs and contributors
Obtain information on luncheons, workshops, SIGS, cultural events
Work with outside graphics designer for layout and printing
Ensure distribution of newsletter

Listmaster

Keep records of membership, Newsletter mailings, and spouses for use by other board members
Roster maintenance (including email reminders, newsletter list)
Encourage members to register on the online website to appear in the directory and to access message board
Get monthly retiree list from Tracy – prepare welcome letters to determine how members want to be contacted (email or snail mail)
Attend meetings when Membership group convenes to coordinate with them
Conduct occasional membership surveys

HR Retirement Manager

Attend EC meetings
Update EC about HR policies affecting retirees
Control payments from TCURA budget

Your Generous Gift Helps.

Your tax deductible gift to the TCU Retirees Association helps underwrite the cost of our monthly luncheons, provides honorariums for our student speakers, covers printing and mailing expenses, and keeps our website current. Please take time to make an annual contribution in support of our good work.

You are welcome to send an annual contributions by mail:

Texas Christian University
Attention Office of Loyalty Giving
TCU Box 297440
Fort Worth, TX 76129

NOTE: In the memo area of your check, please be sure and write “TCU Retirees Association.”