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 Lawrence Shirley at to share your suggestion.

Upcoming Events

Kirkus Reviews:

"A warmly human portrait of an unlikely president … .  After giving a standard overview of Truman’s biography in the first third of the book, the author follows the new president’s day-to-day—and sometimes hour-by-hour—schedule as he confronted the great and numerous challenges of a nation embroiled in war."

Publishers Weekly:

"Baime opens a clear, if narrow, window on a pivotal moment in history."

emissourian.com (Bill Schwab):

"If you want a fast-paced, engrossing, well-researched introduction to 'the man from Missouri,' I highly recommend The Accidental President, a name given to him by his daughter Margaret."

The TURFA book group meets virtually on Zoom; the link will be sent the day before the meeting. We welcome new participants.  If you want to be part of the discussion and are not a part of the regular group, please email Jo-Ann Pilardi for the link ().

It takes place in the mid-1800s. Holly Hunter stars as Ada McGrath, a Scotswoman who arrives in New Zealand with her daughter (Anna Paquin) to marry a man she has never met. Ada has not spoken since the age of six; she uses sign language, with her daughter translating. Much of the film is about sexual tension between Ada, her husband (Sam Neill) and a neighbor (Harvey Keitel). This film was nominated for eight Academy Awards and won three, for Best Actress (Hunter), Best Supporting Actress (Paquin) and Best Original Screenplay (Campion). Sight and Sound recently named it one of the 100 best films of all time -- #50, tied with The 400 Blows.

The Piano is available for free from Baltimore County Public Library Kanopy and Pratt Library Kanopy. It is not available from Towson U. Kanopy. The film can be streamed as a rental from Amazon and other sources for $3.99. It is available on Paramount + by subscription. There are two DVD copies at Baltimore County Public Library, and one at Enoch Pratt Library

WebEx link: https://towson.webex.com/towson/j.php?MTID=m754406613194d7ca9b6a12d9dd2122b6

Join friends and former colleagues for this year’s Retired Faculty Brunch at the South Campus Pavilion, next to the Auburn House.  The speaker will be Dr. Sidd Kaza, Associate Provost for Research and Dean of Graduate Studies. We expect he will tell us about Towson’s new directions in research.

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

Parking is available in the lot across from Auburn House. TURFA members should obtain a parking permit for free parking for June 26 via this link: TURFA PARKING.

Details to follow.

Details to follow.

Details to follow.

Additional Events Being Planned

  • literary salons
  • discussion on topics of interest to members
  • bicycle rides
  • film group discussions
  • non-fiction book group discussions

Recent Past Events

  • May 25, 2023, from 4 – 6 PM: TURFA Thirsty Thursday Happy Hour at Michaels Cafe, 2119 York Road, Timonium, Maryland.
  • May 19, 2023, from 3:00 – 4:30 PM: TURFA Film Club – Virtual discussion of the film “Drive My Car” (2021) directed by Ryusuke Hamaguchi, Japan.
  • May 11, 2023, from 2 – 3:30 PM: Non‐fiction Book Group Virtual Discussion – “The Chaos Machine,” by Max Fisher.
  • April 28, 2023, at 11 AM: TURFA Bicycle Club on the NCR and Heritage Trails between Bentley Springs, MD and New Freedom, PA.

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.