Age Builds Wisdom, Community Carries it Forward.
Retired Professors Associations Network
Foundation
The Retired Professors Associations Network – RPAN was established following a Zoom meeting of Professors Emeriti Network on November 19, 2025, with the idea to collect and share website addresses of retired professors’ associations globally.
Its purpose is to facilitate collaboration, knowledge sharing, and websites interlinking among associations so that retired academics can continue meaningful engagement.
Members of the Network include associations such as the Age-Friendly Universities Global Network, Association of Retirement Organizations in Higher Education – AROHE, College and University Retiree Associations of Canada – CURAC, AGE Platform Europe and others from Europe, North America, and Australia. The Network is open to associations and groups that are willing to link their websites and participate in international connection and collaboration.
In the meeting on November 19, 2025, the following topic was discussed: How Retired Professors are Organized and how they eCollaborate.
Chair
Dr. Eric Hockert, University of Minnesota Retirees Association (Past President FY24). Association of Retirement Organizations in Higher Education – AROHE (President-elect), United States. Big Ten Retirees Association (BTRA) 2026 Conference Planning Group Chair. University Retirees Volunteer Center (Past Board Chair), Office for Technology Commercialization (Retired), EHockert@Alumni.UMN.edu
Panel Members
Al Hermsen, MBA, Member, Board of Directors, University of Michigan Retirees Association, United States, AHermsen@UMich.edu
Dr. Heinz V Dreher, Independent Researcher, Professor Emeritus of Informatics, Mahogany Creek, Western Australia, H.Dreher@outlook.com
Dr. Walter Archer, Professor Emeritus. University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada. President, College and University Retiree Associations of Canada – CURAC. Book Review Editor, Canadian Journal of Higher Education, WArcher@UAlberta.ca
It was proposed that a further meeting be held in February 2026.
In the Professors Emeriti Network Zoom Meeting on February 18, 2026, the following topic was discussed: Linking groups of retired academics across nations and beyond.
Co-chairs
Dr. Eric Hockert, University of Minnesota Retirees Association (Past President FY24). Association of Retirement Organizations in Higher Education – AROHE (President), United States. Big Ten Retirees Association (BTRA) 2026 Conference Planning Group Chair. University Retirees Volunteer Center (Past Board Chair), Office for Technology Commercialization (Retired), EHockert@Alumni.UMN.edu
Dr. Walter Archer, Professor Emeritus. University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada. President, College and University Retiree Associations of Canada – CURAC. Book Review Editor, Canadian Journal of Higher Education, WArcher@UAlberta.ca
Discussant
Dr. Bernhard Schrefler, Professor Emeritus, Mechanics of Biological Materials, Department of Civil, Environmental and Architectural Engineering, University of Padua, Italy. Vice President, Management Board, The Patavinae Libertatis Emeriti Association (PLE), Bernhard.Schrefler@dicea.UniPd.it
In the meeting, RPAN Working Group for RPAN goals discussion was formed:
Dr. Heinz V Dreher, Independent Researcher, Professor Emeritus, Western Australia
Dr. Jože Gričar, Professor Emeritus, University of Maribor, Slovenia.
Al Hermsen, MBA, Past-President and Member, Board of Directors, University of Michigan Retirees Association, United States, Group Organizer
Dr. Sandra Patricia Hirst, Associate Professor Emerita. University of Calgary Canada
Dr. Michelle Porter, Professor, University of Manitoba, Canada
Dr. Nina M. Silverstein, Professor Emerita,University of Massachusetts Boston, United States.
The Working Group met in Zoom meetings on March 3 and May 4, 2026. The meetings focused on discussing initiatives and goals for the Retired Professors Associations Network – RPAN, which aims to connect retired faculty across continents. Participants shared ideas on maintaining access to university resources like email, libraries, and health insurance after retirement. They explored opportunities for continued research collaboration and the possibility of establishing an “emeriti college” for lifelong learning. The group also discussed expanding the organization through conferences and connecting with sister institutions. They agreed to collect more ideas from members.
In the June 17, 2026 Zoom meeting of Professors Emeriti Network, the following topic was discussed: eCollaboration of associations of retired professors to accelerate cross-border eCollaboration of their members.
Chair
Al Hermsen, MBA, Past-President and Member, Board of Directors, University of Michigan Retirees Association, United States, AHermsen@UMich.edu
Presenters
Dr. Heinz V Dreher, Independent Researcher, Professor Emeritus. Mahogany Creek, Western Australia, H.Dreher@outlook.com
Dr. Jože Gričar, Professor Emeritus. University of Maribor, Slovenia. Program Coordinator, Inter-Municipality Initiative: Cross-border eCollaboration in the eRegion & Secretary, Professors Emeriti Network, Joze.Gricar@UM.si
Dr. Sandra Patricia Hirst, Associate Professor Emerita. Faculty of Nursing, University of Calgary, Canada. Vice President, College and University Retiree Associations of Canada – CURAC. E-letter Editor, University of Calgary Retirees Association – UCRA, SHirst@UCalgary.ca
Dr. Michelle Porter, Professor. Faculty of Kinesiology and Recreation Management, University of Manitoba, Canada. Director of the Centre on Aging. Co-lead, North American Region for the Age-friendly University Global Network, Michelle.Porter@UManitoba.ca
Dr. Nina M. Silverstein, Professor Emerita. Gerontology Department, University of Massachusetts Boston, United States. Associate Editor, Journal of Transport & Health, Nina.Silverstein@UMB.edu
Associations
Age-Friendly Universities Global Network. Contact person for website interlinking: Dr. Aaron Guest, Aaron.Guest@ASU.edu
Association of Retirement Organizations in Higher Education – AROHE, United States. Contact person for website interlinking: Dr. Eric Hockert, EHockert@Alumni.UMN.edu
Australian Association of University Professors – AAUP. Links of interest. Contact person for website interlinking: Dr. Rylee Dionigi, Rylee.Dionigi@Professoriate.org
College and University Retiree Associations of Canada – CURAC, Canada. Contact person for website interlinking: Dr. Walter Archer, WArcher@UAlberta.ca
AGE Platform Europe, A society for ALL ages, Brussels. Contact person for website interlinking: Marine Luc, Project and Membership Officer, Marine.Luc@AGE-Platform.eu
University of Western Australia Emeriti Professors College. Contact person for website interlinking: Dr. Marc Tennant, Marc.Tennant@UWA.edu.au
University of Manitoba Retirees Association, Winnipeg, Canada. Contact person for website interlinking: Dr. Bill Kops, William.Kops@UManitoba.ca
Patavinae Libertatis Emeriti Association – PLE. University of Padua. Italy. Contact person for website interlinking: Dr. Bernhard Schrefler, Bernhard.Schrefler@dicea.UniPd.it
Association Professors Emeriti of Federico ll University in Naples – APEF, Italy. Contact person for website interlinking: Dr. Carlo Lauro, CLauro@UniNa.it
Michigan Retirees Association, United States. Contact person for website interlinking: AHermsen@UMich.edu
USC Emeriti Center, University of Southern California, United States. Contact person for website interlinking: Debbie Jones, JonesDeb@USC.edu
University of MInnesota Retirees Association (UMRA), United States. Contact person for website interlinking: Diane Young, YoungDianeC@gmail.com
Retired Faculty and Administrative Officers (RFAO) Organization, University of Vermont, United States. Contact person for website interlinking, Dr. Michael A Gurdon, Michael.Gurdon@UVm.edu
Links to the Retired Professors Associations Network
Age-Friendly University Global Network, Resources
Professor Emeriti Network
Organizational network of retired faculty contributing to the understanding of global changes based on aging. They collaborate to address emerging challenges through innovative solutions and disseminate these efforts to a broad range of stakeholders.
Retired Professors Association Network
Retired professors offer decades of specialized expertise. Network members participate in online meetings to discuss problem-based and action-oriented topics of concern to retired professors. The network is open to associations of retired professors and to associations.
Founding Members
Dr. Walter Archer, Professor Emeritus. University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada. President, College and University Retiree Associations of Canada – CURAC. Book Review Editor, Canadian Journal of Higher Education. WArcher@UAlberta.ca
Dr. Heinz V Dreher, Independent Researcher, Professor Emeritus of Informatics, Mahogany Creek, Western Australia, H.Dreher@outlook.com
Dr. Aleksandar Erceg, Professor, Faculty of Economics and Business, Strossmayer University of Osijek, Croatia. International Center for Entrepreneurial Studies (ICES), Aleksandar.Erceg@EfOs.hr
Dr. Robert D Galliers¸ University Distinguished Professor Emeritus. Former Provost, Bentley University, United States. Former Associate Director/Senior Advisor, Quality Services, European Foundation for Management Development, Belgium. Former Research Director, Department of Information Systems, London School of Economics, UK. Professor Emeritus and former Dean, Warwick Business School, UK. Former Head and Foundation Professor, School of Information Systems, Curtin University, Australia. Former President and LEO Award recipient, The Association for Information Systems, RGalliers@Bentley.edu
Dr. Michael J. Ginzberg, Professor and Dean Emeritus, School of Business, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Partner, ELM2 Advisors LLC, Strategic Transactions for Higher Education, United States, MJGinzberg@WPI.edu
Dr. Peter Glavič, Professor Emeritus, Chemical Engineering, University of Maribor, Member, University of Maribor Centre for Professors Emeriti and Retired Higher Education Teachers, Contact person: Active Aging Networks, Peter.Glavic@UM.si
Dr. Jože Gričar, Professor Emeritus. Secretary, Professors Emeriti Network. University of Maribor, Slovenia. Program Coordinator, Inter-Municipality Initiative: Cross-border eCollaboration in the eRegion. Joze.Gricar@UM.si
Dr. Aaron Guest, Assistant Professor of Aging. Edson College, Arizona State University, Unites States of America. Head, Age-Friendly Universities Global Network Secretariat, Aaron.Guest@ASU.edu
Dr. Michael A Gurdon, Professor Emeritus of Business Administration. Grossman School of Business, The University of Vermont, United States. President, Retired Faculty and Administrative Officers (RFAO) Organization, Michael.Gurdon@UVm.edu
Al Hermsen, MBA, Member, Board of Directors, University of Michigan Retirees Association, United States, AHermsen@UMich.edu
Dr. Sandra P. Hirst, Associate Professor Emerita. Faculty of Nursing, University of Calgary Retirees Association, (UCRA), Canada. e-letter editor, College and University Retiree Associations of Canada (CURAC). Vice-President, Past Chair, Canadian Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse (CNPEA). SHirst@UCalgary.ca
Dr. Eric Hockert, University of Minnesota Retirees Association (Past President FY24). Association of Retirement Organizations in Higher Education – AROHE (Presiden), United States. Big Ten Retirees Association (BTRA) 2026 Conference Planning Group Chair. University Retirees Volunteer Center (Past Board Chair), Office for Technology Commercialization (Retired), EHockert@Alumni.UMN.edu
Debbie Jones, MPA, Director, USC Emeriti Center & Director, Faculty Retirement Navigation & Advancement. University of Southern California, Los Angeles, United States, JonesDeb@USC.edu
Dr. Michael Kunze, MD, Professor Emeritus, Public Health, Medical University of Vienna, Department of Social and Preventive Medicine, Center for Public Health, Austria. Member, European Association of Professors Emeriti, Michael.Kunze@MedUniWien.ac.at
Dr. Carole-Lynne Le Navenec, Associate Professor Emerita, Nursing. University of Calgary, Previous Program Director, University of Calgary Retirees Association. Board Member, College and University Retiree Associations of Canada – CURAC , CLLeNave@UCalgary.ca
Dr.Dr.h.c. Heinrich C. Mayr, Professor Emeritus, Application Engineering, Former Rector, Alpen-Adria University of Klagenfurt, Austria. Head, Application Engineering Research Group, Department of Applied Informatics, Heinrich.Mayr@AAU.at
Dr. Nava Pliskin, Professor Emerita, Information Systems Management, Department of Industrial Engineering and Management, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Israel, PliskinN@BGU.ac.il
Dr. Danijel Rebolj, Professor Emeritus, Former Rector, University of Maribor, Slovenia, Danijel.Rebolj@UM.si
Dr. Bernhard Schrefler, Professor Emeritus, Mechanics of Biological Materials, Department of Civil, Environmental and Architectural Engineering, University of Padua, Italy, Bernhard.Schrefler@dicea.UniPd.it
Dr. Nina M. Silverstein, Professor Emerita, Gerontology Institute, University of Massachusetts Boston, United States, Nina.Silverstein@UMB.edu
Dr. Giuseppe Baldovino (Pino) Suffritti, Professor. Department of Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Sassari, Italy, Pino.Suffritti@gmail.com
Dr. Marc Tennant, Winthrop Professor. Chair of Academic Board. Member of the Senate. University of Western Australia Emeriti Professors College, Marc.Tennant@UWA.edu.au
Jodi Waterhouse, Director, Strategic Partnerships & Programs. Colorado University Denver, Anschutz Multidisciplinary Center on Aging. Office of Vice-Chancellor of Health Affairs, Department of Medicine|, Division of Geriatrics, United States, Jodi.Waterhouse@CUAnschutz.edu
Dr. Richard Welke, Regents Professor Emeritus. Computer Information Systems. Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, United States, RWelke@RWelke.com
Dr. Doug Vogel, Professor of Information Systems & eHealth Research Institute Director. Harbin Institute of Technology, China. Fellow and Past-President, Association for Information Systems – AIS. Member, Cross-border eCollaboration Consortium. Fellow, Australian Institute of Digital Health – AIDH, South Melbourne, Victoria, Australia in association with the University of the Third Age, Vogel.Doug@gmail.com
Dr. David Zitner, Professor Emeritus. Founding Director, Medical Informatics, Dalhousie University. Consultant and Policy Advisor. Retired Family Physician, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, David.Zitner@Dal.ca
Links
Emeriti Opportunities in Internet supported active aging for retired professors. ChatGPT 24.01.2026
Emeriti Network of retired professors Importance ChatGPT 29.11.2025
Emeriti Associations of retired professors Benefits of websites interlinking ChatGPT 25.11.2025
Emeriti Collaboration engineering for retired professors ChatGPT 20.09.2025