Beating the heat

My favorite do-nothing, Thomas Edison, famously said, “Genius is one percent inspiration and 99 percent perspiration.” Apparently, he didn’t live in Baltimore in the dead of summer which has just about all of us signing up for MENSA right about now. But as any smarty-pants will tell you, he was referring to grit and determination as the primary ingredients for innovation. Call it fortitude, persistence, tenacity, or spunk. It’s that intangible thing that’s necessary to pull off any idea worth having. Even Lou Grant (played by the recently departed Ed Asner on The Mary Tyler Moore Show) knew it. “You got a lotta spunk,” he told Mary Richards. “Why thank you, Mr. Grant,” she smiled back at his compliment. “I HATE spunk,” he replied—it was no compliment at all. But really, even Lou grew to admire Mary’s gumption. Years later, while everyone was dripping in gumption and stress to boot, some ad man came along and told us to “never let them see you sweat.” The message there was to be good at what you had to do and make it look easy. Whether it’s a bright idea that will change the world or just trying to figure out how to maneuver through consistently trying times, some good advice in the sweat department is the more recent “don’t sweat the small stuff.” I’d say that if ever there was a time to not sweat the small stuff, it’s now. I’m not sure if it’s humanly possible to follow each of these nuggets of wisdom at once, but I sure am going to give it a try.

Stay safe and healthy,

Tracy Jacobs

Online registration is open. The fall semester begins September 13 and runs through November 12 with a full schedule of in-person and online classes with the instructors and diverse subjects you've come to expect from Osher at Towson University.

• View the fall catalog (PDF)
• View online registration info and instructions (PDF)
• Register for classes

Fall Preview of Classes

Did you miss the preview of classes? Hear about the upcoming fall courses from the instructors themselves! View recording

Online Classes Available this Fall

• Stories of Baltimore: Challenges of the 20th Century with Jack Burkert
• This is How the World Ends and Ends and Ends with Arnold Blumberg
• World War I and the Shaping of the 20th Century with Jared Day
• Urban Wildlife: Wild Times in the City with Jody Johnson
• Earth as Art with Jim O’Leary

“I’m renewing my membership this semester…”

“…even though I won’t be taking classes this semester.” If you would like to show your support for Osher at Towson University, please consider renewing your Osher membership, even if you plan to take a break from classes this upcoming semester. As a renewing member, you are able to participate in book clubs and other interest groups free of charge.

Membership is required to register for classes and to attend book clubs and interest groups. The membership fee is $50* per person. Your 2021–2022 membership is good through June 30, 2022. You can renew your membership online easily now via the link below.

*Charter members, TU Alumni, and TURFA members, please contact Shelby Jones at sjones@towson.edu for more information on membership.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Are in-person classes going to be available on Zoom as hybrid classes?

A: Classes are either in-person OR online. We currently have a handful of online options available.

Q: What precautions are being taken for in-person classes?

A: Osher participants will be required to wear masks in all TU buildings and at Edenwald for in-person classes, regardless of vaccination status. The overwhelming majority of Osher members report that they are fully vaccinated (over 98%, according to recent survey) and 100% of Edenwald residents are fully vaccinated. We have reduced the capacity of the seating in the 7400 Building classrooms to comply with the physical distancing guidance in the TU Health & Safety Protocols.

Q: Is there a possibility of more online classes for the fall semester?

A: Depending on what happens in regards to the delta variant within the next several weeks, we will determine whether or not it is necessary to shift some in-person courses into online classes. Please be patient and understanding as we use our best judgment in making these decisions. We will communicate any changes as they are made.

Q: What happens if I register for a course but it is full?

A: If you register for a course using the online registration system, and learn that it is full, please add your name to the waitlist. It is possible that room may open up in the class and we will be able to let you into the class. We will notify you if an opening becomes available.

Q: Will online courses be recorded?

A: Yes. Online classes will be recorded and available to view at a later date by those who are registered for that course.

If you have a question, please contact osher@towson.edu and we'll answer it for you.