Events

The Towson University Retired Faculty Association (TURFA) offers many events throughout the year for the enjoyment, engagement and continued edification of members. 

dan rodricks speaking
Dan Rodricks speaking at a TURFA Fall Forum event.

Event Information 

TURFA events are wide ranging and include such things as: timely talks on current affairs, social get-togethers, informative talks by invited speakers and by members on their areas of expertise, virtual and live tours of both on-campus and off-campus facilities, conversations with university administrators and project directors, film discussions, non-fiction book group discussions, bicycle rides and many other types of events.

Events are open to all members and typically are held all year long. Upcoming events are posted below. Event announcements and details are also sent to members via email. Frequently, members are invited to bring guests.

Both TURFA members and non-members interested in attending additional events on campus are encouraged to explore Calendars & Events,  Department of Music’s Events Calendar,  College of Liberal Arts Events and TU Today.

TURFA has a special relationship with the Osher Institute for Lifelong Learning at Towson. Osher offers discounted membership and tuition fees for TURFA members giving discounted access to classes, lectures, trips and special events.

Members are encouraged to make suggestions for events or to create interest groups. Have an idea for an event?  Email the TURFA President to share your suggestion.

Upcoming Events

The nearly 600-page book will be read and discussed over 2 months.

In the May session we will discuss the first 100 pages.

Reviews:

"Magisterial … I can only wish that, when I was that lonely college junior finishing Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee, I’d had Hämäläinen’s book at hand.  It would have helped me see that there was indeed a larger story: that my civilization hadn’t been destroyed; that my tribe’s contribution to the past wasn’t merely to fade away in the face of history; that Native peoples―for better or for worse―made this country what it was and have a role to play in what it now struggles to be."

― David Treuer, The New Yorker

"[T]he single best book I have ever read on Native American history, as well as one of the most innovative narratives about the continent."

― Thomas E. Ricks, New York Times Book Review

New people are welcome.  We hope you'll join us to discuss Indigenous Continent.

The TURFA Non-Fiction Book Group meets virtually on Zoom; the link will be sent to regular attendees the day before the meeting. We welcome new participants.

If you want to be part of the discussion and are not a member of the regular reading group, please email Jo‑Ann Pilardi () for the link.

 

The plot involves eleven-year-old Sophie and her father spending time together at a Turkish beach resort.  There are also brief scenes of an older Sophie recalling this time in her life.  The film is visual, audial, and tactile.  It’s not so dependent on dialogue, though the emotional tone of dialogue is important.  This is a film about memory, but, as A. O. Scott says In the New York Times, “The boundaries between memory and experience aren’t so much blurred as rendered moot.”  Scott also praises the filmmaker’s ability to disclose “inner worlds of consciousness and feeling.”  Aftersun premiered at the Cannes Film Festival, and later won several awards for best first feature.

Aftersun can be streamed on Kanopy, a free service at TU Library, Baltimore County Public Library, and Enoch Pratt Library.  And it is available on Amazon Prime, Showtime, Hulu and other subscription services.

WebEx Link: https://towson.webex.com/towson/j.php?MTID=m36ac1fb1274babf1d84f7a4e0b3c55f0

 

The nearly 600-page book will be read and discussed over 2 months.

In the June session we will discuss the last 500 pages.

Reviews:

"Magisterial … I can only wish that, when I was that lonely college junior finishing Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee, I’d had Hämäläinen’s book at hand.  It would have helped me see that there was indeed a larger story: that my civilization hadn’t been destroyed; that my tribe’s contribution to the past wasn’t merely to fade away in the face of history; that Native peoples―for better or for worse―made this country what it was and have a role to play in what it now struggles to be."

― David Treuer, The New Yorker

"[T]he single best book I have ever read on Native American history, as well as one of the most innovative narratives about the continent."

― Thomas E. Ricks, New York Times Book Review

New people are welcome.  We hope you'll join us to discuss Indigenous Continent.

The TURFA Non-Fiction Book Group meets virtually on Zoom; the link will be sent to regular attendees the day before the meeting. We welcome new participants.

If you want to be part of the discussion and are not a member of the regular reading group, please email Jo‑Ann Pilardi () for the link.

 

Join friends and former colleagues for this year’s Retired Faculty Brunch at the South Campus Pavilion, next to the Auburn House.  The keynote speaker will be Dr. Melanie Perreault, Provost, Towson University.

Directions:  Use the south entrance closest to Stevenson Lane. Drive up the hill until you see Auburn House on your right. If you are unfamiliar with the area, consult the campus map at this link:  https://www.towson.edu/maps/?id=PA

 

Additional Events Being Planned

  • Thirsty Thursdays
  • Discussion on topics of interest to members
  • Bicycle rides
  • Film group discussions
  • Non-fiction book group discussions

Recent Past Events

  •  April 18, 2024, from 4 – 6 PM: TURFA Thirsty Thursday Happy Hour at Mucho Gusto in the Shops at Kenilworth (where Trader Joe's is) on Kenilworth Drive, Towson, Maryland.
  • April 11, 2024, from 2 – 3:30 PM: Non‐fiction Book Group Virtual Discussion – “Master Slave Husband Wife: An Epic Journey from Slavery to Freedom,” by Ilyon Woo.
  • April 10, 2024, from 3 – 4:30 PM: TURFA Film Club – Virtual discussion of the film “Maestro” (2023) directed by Bradley Cooper.
  • November 17, 2023, at 11 AM: TURFA Bicycle Club on the Torrey Brown Trail (aka NCR).

Groups

As the listing above shows, there are several active special interest groups.

TURFA Non-Fiction Reading Group

This group meets regularly each month. If you are interested in participating please contact the group facilitator, Jo-Ann Pilardi at .

TURFA Film Group

The film group has been meeting regularly. If you are interested in joining, please contact Peter Lev at .

TURFA Bicycling Group

The bicycling group plans short rides depending on the weather. If you want to get involved, contact Jim Paulsen at .

There are plenty of opportunities to take the lead and initiate a new group. Local theater, hikes, crafts, genealogy, etc., await a member with an interest to take the lead. TURFA will support your efforts and get the word out to members.