A tree was dedicated on the north side of the Scheman Building Friday afternoon to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the ISU Retirees Organization and the Retirement Advising Office.

Robert W. Parks, former president of Iowa State, and George Christensen, Parks’ vice president of Academic Affairs spoke to the organization before the dedication. The two reminisced about the era when they were administrators for ISU.During the Parks administration, 1965-1986, the colleges of education, design and business were born, and the then separate departments for male and female physical education were integrated. Many new buildings were constructed as well. Parks ended his speech by saying, “there is no other job I’d have rather had than president of Iowa State University.”

The ISU Retirees Organization was founded by the retired Dean of Home Economics, Helen LeBaron Hilton, on Sept. 8, 1975. The first meeting of the 12 member advisory committee was held on that day to take “suggestions on how the community can better serve retirees,” according to the proposal for the organization that was given to Dr. Parks in 1975. The group became an official university committee on Sept. 1, 1981.The organization, composed entirely of former Iowa State employees, now has 1,700 members. They meet the third Friday of every month to socialize and listen to guest speakers. They also have special events such as picnics and a holiday dinner. About 100-120 people are present at any given meeting, and 250 people were present for Friday’s celebration.

“The meetings provide a way of reminding each other that this is an important organization that has been present here both in pre-retirement, to help people with their retirement planning, as well as in retirement,” said Ann Molison, the present Retirement Office Adviser.

Another branch of the organization is the College for Seniors. The college offers classes to retired people which are taught by retired professors. It is in its fifth semester, and about 400 people have been involved so far. This semester’s classes begin Monday offering such courses as: American Constitutional Development, Western World Costume-A Brief History and Literature of the Bible. In recognition for their work as co-chairs of the College for Seniors, the Scheman first floor lobby was renamed for, and a plaque was mounted in honor of Julia and Marvin Anderson.