CU Anschutz Retired Faculty Association: Reconnecting Legacy with Community

CU Anschutz has proudly relaunched the Retired Faculty Association (RFA) – a vital initiative designed to honor, engage and reconnect the distinguished faculty who helped shape the university’s legacy. 

The RFA hosted a kick-off event on Sept. 29 with more than 40 retired faculty members in attendance from across the schools, college and the Strauss Health Sciences Library. Attendees swapped stories and updates, and mentors reconnected with their mentees. 

Michael Glode, MD, professor emeritus, served as longtime mentor and colleague to Tom Flaig, MD, vice chancellor for research. 

“It is terrific to see the RFA being reconstituted,” Dr. Glode said. “Their input into the Faculty Assembly when I chaired it decades ago was always very helpful to our current faculty. Seeing Vice Chancellor Flaig, who took over my lab and clinic, rise to his current position brings me immense pride, and I know he will do a great job leading the campus through these challenging times.”

Paused during the pandemic, the RFA is reestablished with renewed purpose: to provide retired faculty a meaningful way to stay connected with the campus community they helped build. 

Dr. Flaig said, "It’s always a pleasure to reconnect with members of the RFA, including Dr. Glode, my initial mentor at CU, whose guidance greatly influenced my professional growth. Our campus continues to benefit from the wisdom and experience of faculty who have come before us. Their historical perspective enriches our understanding and helps inform the campus’s future."

Retired faculty at CU Anschutz have played a foundational role in the university’s growth and success. They have educated generations of students, advanced research across disciplines and laid the groundwork for the campus’s current achievements. 

The RFA acknowledges these contributions while offering opportunities for ongoing involvement – whether through mentoring, research, campus events or other opportunities for engagement.

Interested in becoming part of the RFA? Email Jodi Waterhouse, director of strategic partnerships and programs for the CU Anschutz Multidisciplinary Center on Aging at jodi.waterhouse@cuanschutz.edu.