Events

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

dan rodricks speaking
Dan Rodricks speaking at a 撸先生RA Fall Forum event.

Event Information 

撸先生RA 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 撸先生RA members and non-members interested in attending additional events on campus are encouraged to explore Calendars & Events,  Department of Music鈥檚 Events Calendar,  College of Liberal Arts Events and .

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

Upcoming Events

Join us for a lively discussion of the book 鈥� Not in My Neighborhood:  How Bigotry Shaped a Great American City by Antero Pietila (Pub. 2010).

It is a book about housing segregation in the U.S. which focuses on Baltimore from 1880 into the 21st century. Many copies are available in the public libraries. More information exists online about this highly regarded book.

From the Preface: 鈥淭his book examines how real estate discrimination toward African Americans and Jews shaped the cities of the United States in which we live.鈥�

For more information contact .

Join us for a lively discussion of the film 鈥� Souleymane鈥檚 Story, directed by Boris Lojkine (France, 2024).  

Souleymane, an undocumented immigrant from Guinea-Conakry, is always hurried, always stressed as he moves through the nighttime streets of Paris:  delivering takeout meals on his bicycle, catching the bus to a homeless shelter, preparing for an asylum interview.  The film鈥攆iction, but with a documentary-like feel鈥攑lunges us into Souleymane鈥檚 world, showing instability, danger, and sometimes help. This young man is smart, decent and hard鈥憌orking, but his chance of a future in France does not look good. Souleymane鈥檚 Story presents one person鈥檚 experience but also points to broader issues of South-to-North immigration.

 

Contact if you have any questions.

Join us for a lively discussion of the book 鈥� Family of Spies: A World War II Story of Nazi Espionage, Betrayal and the Secret History behind Pearl Harbor by Christine Kuehn (Pub. 2025, 247 pp.).

 For more information contact .

Join us for a lively discussion of the book 鈥� Mother Emanuel: Two Centuries of Race, Resistance, and Forgiveness in One Charleston Church by Kevin Sack (Pub. 2025, 480 pp.).

For more information contact .

Join us for a lively discussion of the book 鈥� Pride and Pleasure: The Schuyler Sisters in the Age of Revolution by Amanda Vaill  (Pub.2025, 600 pp.).

For more information contact .

Join us for a lively discussion of the book 鈥� Pride and Pleasure: The Schuyler Sisters in the Age of Revolution by Amanda Vaill continued (Pub.2025, 600 pp.).

For more information contact .

Join us for a lively discussion of the book 鈥� Regime Change: Inside the Imperial Presidency of Donald Trump by Maggie Haberman & Jonathan Swan (Pub. 2026, 496 pp.).

For more information contact .

Join us for a lively discussion of the book 鈥� Friendship:  The Evolution, Biology, and Extraordinary Power of Life鈥檚 Fundamental Bond by Lydia Denworth (Pub.2020, 312 pp.).

For more information contact .

Join us for a lively discussion of the book 鈥� The Anxious Generation:  How the Great Rewiring of Childhood Is Causing an Epidemic of Mental Illness by Jonathan Haidt (Pub. 2024, 400 pp.).

 For more information contact .

Join us for a lively discussion of the book 鈥� What We Owe the Future by William MacAskill  (Pub.2022, 352 pp.).

For more information contact .

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

  • June 11 from 2 to 3:30 PM: 撸先生RA Non鈥恌iction Book Group Virtual Discussion 鈥� of the book  Mailman:  My Wild Ride Delivering the Mail in Appalachia and Finally Finding Home by Stephen Starring Grant.
  • May 22 from 3 to 4:30 PM: 撸先生RA Film Club 鈥� Virtual discussion of the film Past Lives directed by Celine Song (South Korea/USA, 2023).
  • April 16 from 4 to 6 PM: 撸先生RA Thirsty Thursday Happy Hour at Michael's Caf茅, 2119 York Rd, Timonium, MD.
  • February 28, starting at 2 PM: Towson versus Cambell University Basketball Game.
  • October 30 from 2 to 4 PM: 撸先生RA Fall Forum in the South Campus Pavilion.

撸先生RA Flicker Event Photos

  • Check out photos from previous events on the .

Groups

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

撸先生RA Non-Fiction Reading Group

This group meets regularly each month. If you are interested in participating please contact the group facilitator, .  A listing of all books previously discussed by the group is available .

撸先生RA Film Group

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

撸先生RA Bicycling Group

The bicycling group plans short rides depending on the weather. If you want to get involved, contact .

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. 撸先生RA will support your efforts and get the word out to members.