Edna Primrose ’84 builds legacy of philanthropy at TU

By Rebecca Kirkman

Edna Primrose ’84 draws on her experiences as an alumna donor and entrepreneur as the  Towson University Foundation president.

“I always say great things are happening at TU, and it's true,” Primrose says. “I’m proud to be a part of shaping Towson’s achievements now and for the future.”

After six years of service on the TU Foundation board of directors, Primrose—who helms the workforce development, education and environmental consulting firm Differenza—succeeds prior board president Bill Murray '08, '11.

Primrose’s impact was honored by the Maryland Daily Record in its 2023 Top 100 Women list, which recognizes honorees’ outstanding professional accomplishments, community leadership and mentoring.

As a TU student, Primrose studied business administration and was a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., the TU Marching Band and the Black Student Union. Reflecting on her own student experience and the value of funding to ease the cost of tuition, books and living expenses inspired her to give back.

Primrose’s experience with the TU Foundation made her passionate about the value of philanthropy at all levels. In honor of her mother, Barbara Better, a single parent who helped Primrose afford her TU education, she established the Primrose-Better Scholarship to support students from Prince George’s County with financial need in the College of Business & Economics.

“I used to think I couldn’t make much of a difference philanthropically at TU, but I realized that every contribution matters and every contribution is appreciated,” she says. “I am creating a legacy of support and endowed the scholarship so that the Primrose-Better Scholarship will live on.

“Towson makes every effort to keep TU affordable, creating possibilities for all interested students to pursue their dreams,” she says. “Donor support is critical to support the depth and breadth of TU's deep commitment to maintaining a premier higher education institution.”