Events

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

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

Event Information 

TURA 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 TURA 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.

TURA has a special relationship with the Osher Institute for Lifelong Learning at Towson. Osher offers discounted membership and tuition fees for TURA 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 TURA President to share your suggestion.

Upcoming Events

Please join us on Thursday, September 11 from 2 to 3:30 p.m. for a virtual discussion of the book How Democracies Die, by Steven Levitsky and Daniel Ziblatt.  (Pub. 2018, 231 pages)

This book was published in 2018 to much discussion, and interest in it has been recently renewed for obvious reasons.

From “Review Symposium on How Democracies Die,” of the American Political Science Association, Dec., 2018.:

"Levitsky and Ziblatt’s How Democracies Die showcases the potential of political science. It demonstrates the value of comparative work, bringing together scholars of Latin America (Levitsky) and Europe (Ziblatt) who use their knowledge of these regions to help us better understand what is going on in the United States.” (Sheri Berman, Professor of Political Science, Barnard College, Columbia U.)

"I disagree with Levitsky and Ziblatt in some ways, but I also appreciate their attention to the norms or ethos of democracy. I trust that across these differences, we will be aligned to resist efforts to assassinate democracy. (William Connolly, Krieger-Eisenhower Professor of Political Science, Johns Hopkins University.)

“Political Science Now” newsletter, APSA, Nov., 2019:

"Using a comparative approach to analyze the process of democratic decline in several countries, the authors find that democracies 'die' when politicians weaken democratic safeguards against authoritarian rule. How Democracies Die is about the role that party elites play or fail to play in the process of democratic backsliding.

. . . The book was published to high critical acclaim, discussed in mainstream and scholarly outlets and made The New York Times' Best Seller list in 2018.”

Financial Times: “The great strength of How Democracies Die is that it rejects the exceptionalist account of U.S. democracy."

Please join us on Wednesday, September 17 from 3 to 4:30 p.m. for a virtual discussion of the film Yi Yi (Taiwan, 2000), directed by Edward Yang.

This is a modern film about a middle-class family—father, mother, teenage girl, eight-year-old boy—where each member is facing basic problems such as love, family bonds, work pressures, death of a loved one, and so on.  Particularly interesting is the little boy, who asks questions his elders have learned to avoid; for example, what is the difference between what you see, and I see?  One fascination of the film is how modern and westernized the city of Taipei has become.  According to critic Victoria Meng, the characters in Wang’s films “struggle to find maturity and meaning” within this hybrid, cosmopolitan setting.

Yi Yi is available for free streaming on Kanopy from TU, but not on Baltimore County Public Library.  There are five DVD copies at Baltimore County Public Library.  A streamed copy can be rented from Amazon for $3.59.

Setember's Thirsty Thursday will be at Racer's Cafe, Harford Road and Taylor Avenue September 18th, 4pm to 6pm.- the 4th Thursday of the month. Racer's Cafe has 20 beer brands on Tap (plus all other kinds of 'adult' drinks).   

Park in the shopping center parking lot directly across the street from Racer's or in the lot behind Racer's (accessible from Taylor Ave, right before the light).  Metered parking is sometimes available directly in front of Racer's Cafe on Harford Road. 

If the weather is good, we can sit outside and visit in their beer garden. 

Come join us for libation and conversation.

For more information snd an email to Tom Maronick.

Please join us on Thursday, October 9 from 2 to 3:30 p.m. for a virtual discussion of the book The Woman Behind the New Deal: The Life and Legacy of Frances Perkins:  Social Security, Unemployment Insurance, and the Minimum Wage, by Kirstin Downe.  (Pub. 2009. 480 pages)

Details to follow.

The guest speaker is Alison McCartney, Dean of TU’s Honors College. The topic is “Civic Engagement in Retirement and at Towson.”

More details to follow.

Please join us on Thursday, November 13 from 2 to 3:30 p.m. for a virtual discussion of the book The Golden Road: How Ancient India Transformed the World, by William Dalrymple (Pub. 2025, 432 pages)

Details to follow.

Please join us on Thursday, December 11 from 2 to 3:30 p.m. for a virtual discussion of the book Class Clown: Memoirs of a Professional Wiseass, by Dave Barry.  (Pub. 2025, 256 pages)

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

  • August 14, 2025, from 2 – 3:30 PM: Non‐fiction Book Group Virtual Discussion – The Bird Way: A New Look at How Birds Talk, Work, Play, Parent, and Think by Jennifer Ackerman.
  • June 25, 2025, from 11:30 AM – 1 PM: Office of the Presidents’ Luncheon to Celebrate All Retired Faculty and Staff at the TU South Campus Pavilion.
  • May 30, 2025, from 3 – 4:30 PM: TURA Film Club – Virtual discussion of the film “Walkabout” (Australia, 1971), directed by Nicholas Roeg.
  • May 29, 2025, from 4 – 6 PM: TURA Thirsty Thursday Happy Hour at Racer's Cafe, Harford Road and Taylor Avenue.

TURA Flicker Event Photos

Groups

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

TURA 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 .

TURA Film Group

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

TURA 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. TURA will support your efforts and get the word out to members.