DURHAM, N.H.—The Active Retirement Association will host Mark W. Huddleston, president of the University of New Hampshire, at its general meeting to open the fall term Tuesday, Sept. 14, 2010, at 1:30 p.m. in the meeting room of the Durham Evangelical Church. Huddleston will be renewing a practice of several of his predecessors, who spoke annually on the state of the university to the ARA, an affiliate of the university since its founding in 1982.

On Wednesday, Sept. 15, 2010, at 4 p.m. in Durham Community Church's Fellowship Hall UNH Professor of History Ellen Fitzpatrick will speak on her book, Letters to Jackie: Condolences from a Grieving Nation. Her examination of the outpouring of grief after the assassination of John F. Kennedy has drawn national attention and wide praise. Fitzpatrick's talk and book signing, sponsored by the Memorial Fund of the Active Retirement Association, is free and open to the public.

The Active Retirement Association was founded in 1982 as an affiliate of UNH. Its Memorial Fund, which sponsors events and lectures open to the public, was established in memory of former members in 2004. The general meeting will kick off the year's first four-week term of educational and cultural programs. Three other four-week terms are scheduled during the 2010-2011 academic year. Membership is open to individuals who reside in the area. Total retirement is not necessary for enrollment, as many members still hold full- or part-time positions. Currently the ARA has over 300 members representing 34 towns in New Hampshire, Maine, and Massachusetts. Membership is $50. Anyone interested in joining is encouraged to attend a program during the first week for free.

For more information contact Charles E. Clark at (603) 868-5046, chaseclark@comcast.net, or visit http://www.unh.edu/ara/.

The University of New Hampshire, founded in 1866, is a world-class public research university with the feel of a New England liberal arts college. A land, sea, and space-grant university, UNH is the state's flagship public institution, enrolling more than 12,200 undergraduate and 2,200 graduate students.

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