After belonging to the Suffolk community for decades, Nancy Stoll found retirement an all-too-abrupt separation from campus involvement.

“One day you were working at the institution, and the next day you weren't,” says, Stoll, the former dean of students, who retired in June 2016. “There was no plan for how to stay connected to the University.”

Stoll decided to do something about the detachment she was sure other retirees also were lamenting, and she believed it was important to preserve the valuable University resource found within the people who have dedicated their careers to Suffolk.

She had a strong supporter in President Marisa Kelly, who hosted a luncheon and brainstorming session with a dozen retirees two years ago. An organizing committee, with Stoll and then-Chief Human Resources Officer Katherine Whidden as co-conveners, grew out of that meeting, and more than 160 retirees were identified and contacted.

The movement now has a name: SURF, or Suffolk University Retired Friends.

One of SURF’s initial projects was a collaboration with History Chair Pat Reeve and University Archivist Julia Howington to collect oral histories from retirees, reviving an effort begun years ago. Recordings and transcripts of the interviews, conducted by Suffolk students, are being posted online.

The president hosted a reception reuniting retirees this past May, during which she gave an overview of the strategic plan. SURF plans to make the luncheon with the president an annual event.

As much as the retirees are interested in the University’s progress, “just getting together was what people enjoyed. …We quickly realized the social piece was important,” says Stoll.

A SURF survey was conducted in June and results shared with Kelly. Those responding offered ideas for activities and services, such as inclusion on a campus communication list. As a result, retired employees who opted in are now receiving the Inside Suffolk newsletter and other University missives.

The retired employees also requested that they be allowed to keep their Suffolk.edu email addresses, and they would like to be invited to events such as the Heritage Awards ceremony and the Ford Hall Forum as well as events geared particularly to retired employees, such as book groups and wine tastings.

They also want to contribute to the life of the University by assisting with alumni events, mentoring younger faculty and staff, and teaching classes when faculty have planned absences.

The next SURF event is a Founders Day lunch on Sept. 19, followed by activities during October’s alumni and family weekend.

SURF Committee

John Berg, Government
John Deliso, Law School
Nancy Fine, Admission
Ken Garni, Counseling Center
Myra Lerman, Sawyer Business School
Fred Marchant, English
Morris McInnes, Accounting
Anthony Merzlak, English
Jim Nelson, Athletics
Chris Perry, Financial Aid
Gail Sergenian, Accounting
Nancy Stoll, Student Affairs, Co-Convener
Katherine Whidden, Human Resources, Co-Convener