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 Musicā€™s Events Calendar,  College of Liberal Arts Events and .

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

This book is the 2021 winner of the Pulitzer Prize in General Nonfiction.

From the Pulitzer website:

Wilmingtonā€™s Lie, a gripping account of the overthrow of the elected government of a Black-majority North Carolina city after Reconstruction, untangles a complicated set of power dynamics cutting across race, class and gender.

By the 1890s, Wilmington was North Carolinaā€™s largest city and a shining example of a mixed-race community... (until) white supremacists rolled out a carefully orchestrated campaign that included raucous rallies, race-baiting editorials and newspaper cartoons, and sensational, fabricated news stories.  The result:  a brutal insurrection, a rare instance of a violent overthrow of an elected government in the U.S. It halted gains made by blacks and restored racism as official government policy.

Journalist David Zucchino uses contemporary newspaper accounts, diaries, etc., to create a gripping and compelling narrative full of characters, good and bad. This is a dramatic account of a remarkable but forgotten chapter of American history.  

(Source: )

Please use this link to attend the discussion on Thursday, Feb. 13, 2025.

If you have any questions or problems, contact book group coordinator Jo-Ann Pilardi, .

The body of work created by Godard between Breathless (1959) and Weekend (1968) is one of the great achievements in world cinema:  innovative, challenging, overflowing with ideas.  In Masculine-Feminine, the director is very pessimistic about French society but intrigued and touched by the young actors/characters in the film.  Most of the actors were inexperienced, by Godardā€™s choice, and basically playing themselves.  For example, Chantal Goya, age 19, a real-life pop star, had never appeared in a film. Many conversations are semi-improvised, with one actor asking questions written by Godard but the other person responding spontaneously.  There are other techniques breaking with conventional cinemaā€”intertitles, voiceovers, quotations, news footageā€”so the film becomes almost a collage.  Masculine-Feminine is not a perfect film:  it can be obscure; it can be infuriating.  But it will surprise you with ideas and feelings.

Here's critic Pauline Kaelā€™s take on the film: ā€œGodard has, at last, created the form he needed. It is a combination of essay, journalistic sketches, news and portraiture, love lyric and satire.ā€

Masculine-Feminine can be streamed free of charge on TU Kanopy (but not BCPL or Pratt Kanopy).  It can also be rented for a few dollars on Amazon and other streaming services.

Zoom Link:

Meeting ID 962 5607 9733

Contact Peter Lev at if you have any questions.

Details to follow.

Details to follow.

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

  • January 23, 2025, from 4 ā€“ 6 PM: TURFA Thirsty Thursday Happy Hour at Mucho Gusto (in Kenilworth Mall).
  • January 15, 2025, from 3 ā€“ 4:30 PM: TURFA Film Club ā€“ Virtual discussion of the film ā€œThe Blue Caftanā€ (Morocco, 2022), directed by Maryam Touzani.
  • December 12, 2024, from 2 ā€“ 3:30 PM: Nonā€fiction Book Group Virtual Discussion ā€“ ā€œElderhood: Redefining Aging, Transforming Medicine, Reimagining Lifeā€, by Louise Aronson.
  • November 2, 2024, from 12 noon ā€“ 4 PM: Computer Workshop for Medicare Part D Prescription Plans at the Liberal Arts Building in Room 2329 on the Towson University Campus.
  • October 10, 2024, from 2 ā€“ 4 PM: TURFA Fall Forum: Making the Transition to Medicare Part D Prescription Plans for Maryland State Retirees, at the Towson University South Pavilion.

Groups

As the listing below 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.