A Sea Change:
Retired Faculty Share Memories of Struggle, Innovation, and Community to celebrate Towson University's 50 Years of Women's Studies
The Towson University Retired Faculty Association (TURFA) offers many events throughout the year for the enjoyment, engagement and continued edification of members.
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 Annette Chappell to share your suggestion.
Origin is based on the nonfiction book Caste: The Origins of our Discontent, by Isabel Wilkerson. This is an unusual book-to-film adaptation because the subject is Isabel Wilkerson’s process of writing the book. We experience her personal tragedies and achievements as well as the developing thesis that caste rather than race explains the violent subjugation of outsider groups in the United States, Nazi Germany, and India. Writer-director DuVernay had the challenge of presenting the book’s ideas in a heavily abridged form, but with the advantage of emotionally powerful images. Most critics thought that she succeeded.
Zoom Link: https://towson-edu.zoom.us/j/92338576372?pwd=9p3rjqdn9US1sg0UdQQt1xTtR6TO7f.1
Contact Peter Lev at PLev AT_TOWSON if you have any questions.
TURFA invites you to use a computer on campus to register with Via Benefits, the State contractor for the Medicare Part D transition, and enter your personal and prescription information on the Via Benefits website. Volunteers will be available to help you navigate the website, but they won’t be able to help you evaluate prescription plans or choose the best plan for you. You will be asked to sign a HIPAA release form, since the volunteers may see some of your personal information as they help you. TURFA will not retain any of your personal information and your personal information will be kept confidential. Please fill out this list of prescriptions and pharmacies before you come to the workshop. Please remember to bring your password and a cell phone if you already set up a Via Benefits account. You must make a reservation for the workshop at the following website. If you are using a cell phone, you need to download the Google Sheets app before you make the reservation.
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1Q8KvgVQv1rzifvfHgD7uO_jT_goBrRe8IHdyCuvScFg/edit?usp=sharing
This is historian Doris Kearns Goodwin's narrative of not only her 42-year marriage to Richard Goodwin, but of the deep loyalty of each to the presidents they worked for: JFK and LBJ. The book is based on a trove of materials (documents, letters, etc.) that Richard saved over 50 years.
In his Post review, Charles Kaiser summarized the book:
"We live in dangerous times. But nothing we’re feeling can rival the convulsions of the years between 1961 and 1969 ... Kearns gives us hundreds of interesting vignettes about the times and characters, but the spine of the book is the eternal debate about who deserved more credit for the landmark legislative accomplishments of the ’60s — JFK or LBJ ... There are hundreds of books about the politics of this period ... but Goodwin’s book is different, because she and her husband were both extremely close to the Kennedys and Johnson, and each of them held on to their fierce and competing loyalties to the presidents through four decades of marriage.”
(Washington Post, 5/10/24)
Please use this link to attend the discussion on Thursday, November 14, 2024, 2--3:30 PM.
https://towson-edu.zoom.us/j/95048507116?pwd=S9gk01AKDw4kNgKbowlgx4ZbjzvfXN.1
If you have any questions or problems, contact book group coordinator Jo-Ann Pilardi, jpilardi AT_TOWSON.
Details to follow.
As the listing below shows, there are several active special interest groups.
This group meets regularly each month. If you are interested in participating please contact the group facilitator, Jo-Ann Pilardi at jpilardi AT_TOWSON.
The film group has been meeting regularly. If you are interested in joining, please contact Peter Lev at plev AT_TOWSON.
The bicycling group plans short rides depending on the weather. If you want to get involved, contact Jim Paulsen at jpaulsen AT_TOWSON.
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.