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Walkie Talkie
As the phone rang in my dorm room, I could see that the call was coming from home. I picked up and on the other end of the phone was my father. He sounded so excited that he could barely contain himself. He was speaking loudly. “Guess where I am?” Of course, he must be at home. That was what the caller ID said. Before I could say a word, he exclaimed, “I’m on Jay Street! Now I’m about to turn onto Main Street! I’m testing out the new phone.” This was before cell phones had become ubiquitous, so it became clear to me that my father was walking around the neighborhood while talking on a cordless phone. “I’m trying to see what the range is,” he explained. He faded out as he made his way toward College Street. I couldn’t stop laughing as I pictured my dad sauntering down the street yelling into the phone. Anyone driving by must have thought he was a crazy person talking to himself. Chances are that whoever saw him might have thought, “there goes Dr. Jacobs again”. He was known to be a bit eccentric. Nowadays it’s not uncommon to see people walking down the street talking loudly on their phones. Half the time, they’re talking and there’s no phone in sight. On numerous occasions, I have innocently responded to someone who is having a phone conversation via their miniscule Bluetooth earpiece. They usually look at me like I’m nuts. When that happens, I just pretend that I'm having a phone conversation of my own as I go my merry way.
Stay safe and healthy,
Tracy Jacobs
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The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at Towson University was generously endowed by the Osher Foundation in 2009. However, we must still generate significant portions of our annual budget from annual dues, course fees, and philanthropic contributions to sustain our programs.
Annual giving is a vital part of our annual budget. Funds donated to the Osher Excellence Fund have been critical over the last few years in helping to cover instructor pay, facilities rentals, technology and marketing expenses.
Gifts of any size are vital in helping us to reach our goals, to grow programming and participation, and to provide high-quality educational opportunities. Your philanthropy also helps us as we apply for grants to aid in program expansion.
As we close out our fiscal year, please give as generously as you are able. A vibrant culture of giving nurtures growth and program excellence beyond what an endowment alone can provide. With your gift to the Osher Excellence Fund or one of the other four Osher Funds, we have the ability to invest in Osher for tomorrow and in the here and now.
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What classes will you be taking this fall? Take a look at the Fall 2025 At-A-Glance (PDF). Classes start September 8 and run through November 7.
- Mondays and Fridays—online classes
- Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays—in-person classes
- We’re excited to announce that all in-person classes will be held at Edenwald
- The complete fall catalog will be online August 1
- Fall Preview of Classes will be presented online on Monday, August 4
- Registration Opens Tuesday, August 5
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Baltimore Still Rising
Thursday, June 19, at 7 p.m.
The Senator Theater in Baltimore
Baltimore Still Rising is the powerful first installment of The Baltimore Legacy Project, a documentary series. Baltimore Still Rising gives voice to the people who lived through one of the most pivotal moments in the city's history. In this debut episode, we hear from 20 Baltimore residents who share their personal stories and first-hand accounts of the aftermath of Freddie Gray’s death in 2015, following his tragic encounter with the Baltimore City Police. Through intimate interviews, the documentary captures the raw emotions, frustrations, and resilience that defined the city’s response to the injustice and unrest that followed. Baltimore Still Rising is not just a recount of events—it is a testament to the ongoing fight for justice, the spirit of community, and the hope that, despite the challenges, Baltimore is a city still striving to heal, rebuild, and rise above.
This world premiere of Baltimore Still Rising combines a powerful documentary screening with a panel discussion featuring activists who were directly involved during the 2015 Uprising. This event offers a rare opportunity to connect the themes of resistance, activism, and policy change—core ideas in historical scholarship—to the lived experiences of a modern movement. It’s a chance to see history in motion, bridging the lessons of the past with the challenges of today. This documentary is not merely a recounting of events; it is a contemporary lens on the continuous struggle for justice, community rebuilding, and systemic change. It reminds us of the cyclical nature of history and the enduring need to learn from the past to build a better future.
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Summer at the Center 2025
June 13–29
Towson University, Center for the Arts
Summer at the Center 2025 features dazzling and delightful performances, exhibitions, and creative undertakings from a celebrated lineup of returning Towson University alumni, as well as faculty, students, and friends! Running June 13–29, the Center for the Arts’ doors will be open for a variety of free and ticketed arts and entertainment events.
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Summer Osher Online 6-week Courses
Through a special collaboration with the Osher National Resource Center, we are offering 6-week online courses. These courses meet via Zoom and each is 90 minutes long. Space is limited, so register early. Each course is $80. Osher membership is required. Join or renew now for the 2025–2026 membership year (July 1, 2025–June 30, 2026).
- The Economics of Public Policy Issues starts July 8
- Behind Those Baby Blues: The Films of Paul Newman starts July 8 with Arnold Blumberg
- History of Beer starts July 8
- Demystifying Energy Security starts July 9
- Public Health Across the Lifespan starts July 9
- Architectural Oddities starts July 10
- 100 Years of Magic: The Disney Legacy and Influence starts July 10
- Stories of Adventure: The Norse Sagas starts July 16
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