LIRA 2026 Annual Meeting

Ardeth Thawnghmung is the Chair and Professor in the Department of Political Science at UMass Lowell.

Ardeth Thawnghmung.

Come to the LIRA Annual Meeting:

Elect new LIRA Officers and Learn about the Summer Schedule!

Speaker: Professor Ardeth Thawnghmung, Acting Chair of UMass Lowell Political Science Department.

From the President

Dear Friends,

It is hard to believe the Communications Committee is writing the final newsletter for the 2025-2026 season. Where has the time gone? This has been a wonderful year filled with exciting programs and opportunities to engage with new friends and experiences. Many thanks to the Curriculum Committee for organizing a fabulous spring semester. LIRA members have been able to participate in many diverse classes, field trips, book and film discussions, and cultural experiences.

I hope you will join me in-person or via Zoom at LIRA’s Annual Meeting on Wednesday, May 6 from 10 a.m. to noon in the Moloney Ballroom at University Crossing. Please see the details about parking in the newsletter. The Annual Meeting is a time for LIRA members to reflect on the past year, celebrate our successes, and plan for the future.

We are delighted to have Professor Ardeth Thawnghmung, Acting Chair of UMass Lowell’s Political Science Department, and several of her graduate students as our guest speakers. Professor Thawnghmung is the recipient of UMass Lowell’s 2025 Distinguished University Professor Award and is recognized for her work to support Burmese refugees in the Lowell community and educational programs for students in Myanmar. In 2025, LIRA members participated in the “Eat-to-Educate” luncheon at the “Say-Da-Nar Community Development Center.”

The agenda for the Annual Meeting includes a review of the budget, an overview of the Summer 2026 class schedule, and plans for the future. We will also receive nominations and hold the annual election of LIRA officers (President, Vice-President, Treasurer, and Recording Secretary.)

During the break, LIRA members will enjoy refreshments, sign up for summer classes, join one of LIRA’s Committees and Support Teams, and catch up with LIRA friends. LIRA’s success depends on its members’ support. 

I look forward to seeing you at the Annual Meeting on May 6. To borrow travel-writer Rick Steves’ advice of “Keep on Traveling,” I say “Keep on Learning” with LIRA.

Best regards,
David Troughton

LIRA Annual Meeting Parking Information

LIRA Annual Meeting Parking Information

If you have a LIRA Parking Hangtag you can park in the Fletcher Lot (Map location of the Fletcher lot), Merrimack Lot (Map location of the Merrimack lot) and on street parking on Father Morrisette Boulevard (Map Location of Father Morrisette Boulevard parking).

If you don't have a LIRA Parking hang tag there is a Public metered parking lot (Map location of the Public metered lot).

Spring Field Trips

Lowell dining Experience

Thanks to the Diversity Committee, LIRA members enjoyed a Brazillian lunch at Tren Caipira in Lowell.

Learning in Retirement Association (LIRA) members seated at the table at Tren Caipira, Lowell. Image by Stan Powers

Do the Conga

LIRA members learned some Conga dance moves from Dance Historian Susan Guardiola.

2 images of Learning in Retirement Association (LIRA) members participating in a Conga Line dance. Image by Marge Nardini

The Next Newsletter

The next newsletter will be out on September 1, 2026; the deadline for news items is August 15, 2026.

Please submit all member news to Laura Boerman. All other LIRA news items should be emailed to Becky Bronson.

Please note that emails for all members can be found in the LIRA directory, which you can access from the email sent by Peter Sebelius on March 12.

Becky Bronson

Newsletter Committee

Becky Bronson, Editor
Marge Nardini, Layout and Production
Charlotte Evans, Calendar
Laura Boerman, Member News
Peter Sebelius, Website Coordinator