00:00:03.830 - 00:00:58.890

Moore, Azariah: Alright. I'm gonna go ahead and get started with just a quick introduction again, and then you can introduce yourself, and then we'll get into all the questions, if that sounds good. Edna Primrose: Sounds good. Yes. Moore, Azariah: so really quickly. My name's Azariah Moore. I'm a senior international studies major, with a double minor in political science and Japanese here at Towson. And I'm also one of the student researcher, Research assistants for the unearthing Towson's history project. And yeah, we're really excited to have the opportunity to work with you today and learn more about your journey with Towson. Yeah. Edna Primrose: Well, thank you for having me Azariah. I certainly appreciate it. And, Ashley, this is just such a a wonderful opportunity and an honor to participate. So I'm Edna Primrose. I graduated from Tu in 1984.

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Moore, Azariah: Sounds good. Okay, so kind of right into the attending Towson. My first question for you is, what led you to attending Towson State college when you did Edna Primrose: so. I do want to say that Towson had had just become Towson State University, maybe a year before I went there. Edna Primrose: But I had always known it as Towson State College as well, so it was like a big deal when it changed over to be a university. So I was, I was probably one of the first Edna Primrose: freshman classes to go there under that new new name. So there were a couple things that led me to go to Towson.

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Edna Primrose: The one of the main reasons is that it's an excellent university. So it had. Had a really pretty great reputation, and I was looking for something that felt like it fit me. Edna Primrose: I had grown up in the Washington, DC. Metropolitan area, Maryland, Virginia, all of that, and had visited quite a few schools in Maryland at the time, so I felt like the University of Maryland College Park was a little too big for me, and then there were other colleges that were a little too small for me. Edna Primrose: that when I went to Towson Edna Primrose: I,I applied at the early decision day program, and it's the only college that I applied to, because that's how confident I would get in. I really wanted it. I really wanted to go there, and I think you know, when I did the visit, it's just fit. It just felt like it fit. The other thing is, I lived in Bowie, Maryland at the time, which is about an hour away, maybe a little less than that

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Edna Primrose: with no traffic. And so it was far enough that I had to live there, but close enough that I could get a ride home or get home pretty easily. And I'm I've never looked back on the decision, and so I think. December of my senior year. I already knew where I was going to college. Moore, Azariah: That's great. I think that's like similar to my experience with attending. It was like, right in the middle, like, not too big, not too small. So really interesting. Okay, so kind of just touch on it just a little bit. But did the University have a reputation that you knew about prior to attending? Edna Primrose: Well, like I said I was told that it was a really great university Edna Primrose: that it had excellent programs. And at the time I was thinking about becoming a teacher, so I knew that it was the Premier teachers, university or Teachers college in the State. So that was another thing that it was well known for at the time.

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Moore, Azariah: okay, great. Moore, Azariah: Okay? So my next question is, looking back now, how would you describe your time at Towson with all the things that you did? Edna Primrose: So? That is interesting. Edna Primrose: It was wonderful. It was. It was really fantastic. I,I have very fond memories of Towson, and you know, I think one of the things I wanna reflect on is the fact that

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Edna Primrose: my mother moved us to Bowie, Maryland when I was going into sixth grade. Edna Primrose: and I lived in Bowie from that period of time until my second year Edna Primrose: out of college. Edna Primrose: And so

00:04:27.040 - 00:05:47.740

Edna Primrose: it was interesting to me to move from a predominantly black neighborhood to a predominantly white neighborhood, and to kind of grow up in my adolescent years there. So that was a huge transition for me, and we were one of maybe 4 or 5 Edna Primrose: black families that actually lived in Bowie. It was a Levittown community, a planned community. So it's definitely majority white. And even though Bowie State University is right right around the corner. There wasn't a big presence of students from there. Edna Primrose: so I had to learn to adjust to to get along right. And I made some great lifelong friends that I still have today from Bowie High, you know, we have a real tight knit group, and at the same time there were other areas where I couldn't go over people's houses. You know, I couldn't date, guys. This is very interesting. But I,I excelled there. I thrived there and it was great. Edna Primrose: One of the things that I didn't realize, though, is that I sort of sacrificed my my identity as a black person. When I went to Towson. I thought it was going to be like Bowie, because it was majority white. I knew they had black students there, and I thought I would be very comfortable, and I got along with all the black students in Bowie.

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Edna Primrose: But what was strange was that Edna Primrose: it was segregated. So, even though everyone went to school together. The black students hung out Edna Primrose: by themselves. So you didn't. You didn't mix in the dining hall all the black people ate together. All the white people ate together, and the only time you really mixed socially Edna Primrose: only only black events. The only time you really mixed together was either in class, or if you were on a sports team, or like I was a pompom in my freshman year. So you you got to know folks that way, and then people in your dorms. But from a social standpoint it was very separate. So here I was now

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Edna Primrose: fitting into the black community. When I had been around a white community for most of my formative years, so I would say my freshman year was really hard until I met some great people who took me under their wing, both black and white, and helped me to thrive Edna Primrose: After that, the black community really became my family, because there were so few of us, relatively speaking. So you know, we are still very close together. We're we're like the largest group that comes back for homecoming. We started having a reunion group, and we took care of each other. So I remember that very fondly. I also pledged the sorority Delta Sigma Theta sorority incorporated in my junior year. Edna Primrose: which fed my public service, desire, and the the kinds of things my mom had taught me about social justice and civil rights. So I was able to to do that as well, and and also create a family Edna Primrose: from an education standpoint it my my experience was exceptional. I had wonderful professors very, very enlightening, very inspiring. And and it was hard

00:07:43.640 - 00:08:47.640

Edna Primrose: it was really hard. I'm not gonna lie. You know. Some of those classes were pretty tough. But I really like the I like the class size. Edna Primrose: I remember that Edna Primrose: I had to take an I had to take an elective, and I took intro to art history, and that opened up a whole new world for me, and introduced me to my favorite painter, Henri Matisse, who is still my favorite painter today, and I also think about Professor John Gissendanner, who was my professor for African American studies. I, its probably called Black Studies, might have been called African American studies, but Edna Primrose: he opened up my whole world by exposing me to black art and literature, which obviously didn't happen in Bowie. So I. The one book that I still have from Towson is my cavalcade book from Professor Gissendanner, and he really changed my life, you know. So overall I,I again, you know, I have really great memories of Towson, and I think that

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Edna Primrose: you know it has. It has progressed so much since then, but at the time I didn't realize how much I was creating a family that I would still have Edna Primrose: years later. Moore, Azariah: Yeah, that was such a good answer. I really love that like I think I've heard it's been like a common trend I've heard about when I've talked to other alum about the experiences they had, you know, during the time. And yeah, I always. I just always find it interesting when I hear about it. But that was so beautiful. Thank you for sharing that. Moore, Azariah: So the next question is so given, how successful you've been in life. I was doing a lot of research, and I just you worn so many different hats, you've been able to accomplish so many different things. Do you feel that Towson helped you grow these skills that you know you carried into your adulthood

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Edna Primrose: absolutely, without question. And you know that's part of the reason why I am engaged now at Towson, because I'm giving back to the University that gave me so much. First of all, one of the things that Towson taught me is to be able to navigate my way in any scenario, and with any group. Edna Primrose: So that is important especially for the kinds of jobs that I've had. Both, you know. Progressing in my career, you know, beginning as an administrative assistant, and working my way up all the way to being a a Federal senior executive, overseeing as many as a thousand people, and now, as a consultant, you know, working in education, workforce development and community development, I have to meet with. All kinds of folks have to work with all kinds of folks. Edna Primrose: As a Federal senior executive you serve at at the pleasure of the President of the United States. So you have people from both parties that that become your your leaders and your your bosses. And so I think that Towson Edna Primrose: really taught me to get along with everyone and to figure out a way to also kind of show up in that space and be seen. That's the other thing, you know. The black Student Union was very instrumental in giving black students a voice, and I didn't really have you know. I,I mentioned I was a cheerleader, and I thrived at Bowie, but

00:11:03.430 - 00:12:02.810

Edna Primrose: really couldn't talk about civil rights or social action stuff. You know what I mean. You kind of had to go in a particular direction, and it was really inspiring for me to be part of the black student Union, and to see the changes even when I think about Dean Julius Chapman at the time, who knew. Edna Primrose: the extent of the impact and influence he was creating both in front and behind the scenes on our behalf. So Edna Primrose: it it was just, really, it was just really an important time in my life to to regain my identity as a Edna Primrose: as a black person, but also to have that spark around social action be born in me in college. So through Delta Sigma Theta, which is a public service sorority, you know, we're very intricately involved in the community. And I took that on in the roles that I've had in jobs since then, working for underrepresented communities, working with underserved communities,

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Edna Primrose: providing a voice to people who didn't have a voice and really trying to contribute to people being able to achieve economic and social mobility. Edna Primrose: Particularly through the education lens as well. So yeah, Towson laid a great foundation for me, and you know I'm always grateful for it. Moore, Azariah: Wow, I like that. That was really interesting. Okay. So next, okay, are going to be about some of your actions. Moore, Azariah: Since coming back to Towson. So kinda to get the ball rolling, what inspired you to to return to Towson first on the board of directors and then now as the Towson University Foundation President.

00:12:43.100 - 00:13:25.880

Edna Primrose: Well, interestingly enough, Towson really didn't look for me for a very long time. I,I think the again, you know, black students were the minority. Edna Primrose: literally and figuratively. And so there was just not a lot of outreach to me as an alum, as an alumna. So while I did go back occasionally for homecoming I just didn't feel attached to the university like after I graduated. Edna Primrose: I just didn't feel attached, and I will say that after Dr. Kim Schatzel came on board, about a year after that one of my friends was being featured in

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Edna Primrose: vignette around Science and and Mathematics College of Science and Mathematics, because we were going to open up the new Science Building, and she's a physician's assistant on a transplant team, and she's a complete rock star. So I ended up meeting some Towson staff Edna Primrose: with her when she went to her like a lunch meeting, and Edna Primrose: they talked to me about getting involved, and I just hadn't thought about it, but you know I realized that Edna Primrose: I could be part of the solution or complain, and it would give me an opportunity to not only have a voice and and be a representative, but be engaged in something that

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Edna Primrose: I used to believe in. And so now, you know, it's been a little over 7 years. I'm all in. Edna Primrose: and I'm really excited to see that Towson's a majority minority University something I thought I would never see, and what I love about Towson now is that Edna Primrose: there's really an equity lens in everything that Towson does. It's not like you sort of put institutional equity over in the corner, and and that group just handles it like it's woven into everything Towson does, and it makes me very proud. I think the other thing is just the standard of excellence, you know no graduation gap between a minority and non-minority students Edna Primrose: there is less than I think. There are less than 10 universities in the country that can claim that

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Edna Primrose: we are touted for our social good, and again, being in service to others is very important to me, and I think the culture of philanthropy is is very service oriented. So Edna Primrose: so I'm delighted to be. I was delighted to be on the foundation board. It's really a dream come true to be the president of the Foundation Board. I'm the first black person, first black woman to be in that position, and I just work with an amazing team of people, not only on the board, but Edna Primrose: also the Deans and the and the college staff right? Who are dedicated to making sure that Edna Primrose: we maintain that standard of excellence for students, faculty and staff plus. It's like so fun, it's so fun. And we have the best students like you, Azariah. Our Towson students are so amazing. Even if I'm just

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Edna Primrose: walking on the yard and just not not in my my official capacity. I'm just walking to the Union, students are like, Hello, you know, one time I couldn't find something a student help me find something. I mean just wonderful. It's just a wonderful culture to great university and people believe in us. And and you know, I wanna be part of that. Moore, Azariah: Yeah, I love that I agree. I really do like Towson and like the community. And I can. I can see why you would want to come back and like give back, you know, especially when it's so important to you. Edna Primrose: Yeah, it's a good time. Good time to be here. Yes. Moore, Azariah: okay. So I kinda touched on it earlier. So you were a lot of different hats throughout your career. How do you feel like these roles? And you know, in the public and private sector led you back

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Moore, Azariah: and shaped your journey to Towson. Edna Primrose: Hmm. Edna Primrose: so it's interesting. I mentioned that I, I thought I might wanna be a teacher when I came to Towson, and over time I ended up changing my major to business administration. So I graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in business, with a concentration in finance. Edna Primrose: And then the first job I had was working for a labor union. So I learned a lot about not only workers rights but also the apprenticeship model. And I went from there into working for the job corp program, which is a program for out of school youth. It's a residential program for students. Between 16 and 24. They get a high school diploma. They can go to college. They learn a career pathway

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Edna Primrose: in about 11 industry sectors and I worked both locally with students at the 2 Maryland Centers, and also became National Director of Job Corps. Edna Primrose: Later on I went to the Department of agriculture. Edna Primrose: And I led programs in water and environmental programs for rural communities. So the thing that's kind of interesting is, you know, I was at job corp. Then I left and went back into the private sector work with the 2 Maryland centers and went back into the government. And Edna Primrose: I think that Towson taught me to be flexible, to always be in a learning posture, to remember, to have humility around your growth.

00:18:09.590 - 00:19:25.380

Edna Primrose: to be ready when opportunities come, so that, you know I always prided myself in in doing my best and being my best, working hard and also cultivating relationships. I think that was one of the major things that I learned at Towson. There's no way that I could have navigated all those paths without those building blocks, and the funny thing to me is. Edna Primrose: even though I thought I wanted to be a teacher. And then I got a business degree. I've worked a lot in education with my business degree. So when I talk to students, now, I'm I'm a mentor. Edna Primrose: in the College of Business and Economics, and I'm on the Advisory Board as well. No, I tell students like, you can literally work anywhere with a business degree. You can go anywhere. You could do anything because everyone needs those skills. And I also think that Towson really gave me a great foundation about Edna Primrose: responsible and empathetic leadership. And that's something that I've learned over the years through all the mentors I've had as well. But I would say, yeah. The Towson taught me to be flexible, to be able to to navigate to be able to cultivate relationships and also to get things done because that's important, too.

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Moore, Azariah: Yeah, thats really interesting. Okay. So since returning, you know, there's obviously gonna be some major differences. What are some that you notice the most. Moore, Azariah: you know, when you're on campus or just in the culture, the community stuff like that. Edna Primrose: Let's see. Edna Primrose: there's a couple of things. First of all, there are way more resources for students now than there were when I was there. First of all, we've got these amazing buildings right? And so you all have state of the art facilities and resources. I know that Towson was working hard to provide those things to us. And I think in the context of that time period, they did. I'm just amazed at

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Edna Primrose: the Grants. We're getting the support we're getting to create new living and learning spaces for students. Edna Primrose: the incredible faculty and staff we're attracting, and also just the feel of Towson, you know, when you walk on a college campus, you really get a sense of the feel of it. And so it just feels like home feels like family. Towson's twice the size almost twice the size it was when I was there. And Edna Primrose: yeah, it feels like a community. So I really love that. And again, it's that commitment to equity, commitment to a standard of excellence in academics. Edna Primrose: commitment to really creating responsible citizens. And then the other part is, Towson wasn't really part of the community. When I was a thousand we had the pizza Palace on the corner. And Towson Town center was very elite, so it had all these high end stores that no one could afford to go to. There weren't many restaurants there, you know. We didn't have all the stuff

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Edna Primrose: You guys have Chic-fil-a in the dorm in the dorm. So you all are eating very well. But I love the way that Edna Primrose: Towson created the startup at the armory. You know, free Co-Working space is really a part of the the city of Towson, and having apartments up there. So Towson University is really woven Edna Primrose: into the fabric of the city of Towson, and it. It was very separate when I was there. So that is wonderful, because it opens up all kinds of partnerships and support for you, for faculty and for staff. So there's there's quite a few changes that I think are all for the better, and I know Towson just will continue to grow and flourish, you know, in the years to come. Moore, Azariah: Yeah, that's really interesting. Like, through my research, I've never really heard that the like Towson the city was so separate from Towson University. And that's really interesting, because, like as a student now, I can't even imagine

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Moore, Azariah: uptown not being a part of your college experience, you know. That's so. Moore, Azariah: Such a different experience, of course. But it's really interesting to learn about. Edna Primrose: Yeah, yeah, it's very true. I hardly went, hardly went uptown. There's no reason to. There was. There was. There was nothing there for us. Moore, Azariah: It's too much sometimes like Where do I go? What's going on? That's really interesting, though. Okay, so

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Moore, Azariah: this is kind of like on the other side of the coin. So are there any aspects of Towson that you feel still need to be worked on from your time? Or do you think there are maybe some new challenges that with, you know, growing community, you know, changing leadership, a lot of different things. That maybe have a have risen. And you know things that need to be worked on. Edna Primrose: Well, I think when I think about the equity lens piece. We cannot take our eye off of that, so we always need to make sure that we are prioritizing equity at Towson. I think that it's a. It's a delicate and precarious time in our nation right now around that. So it is very heart warming and Edna Primrose: empowering that Towson is standing up for equity. So that to me is is in the forefront. And the reason I say that is because obviously, when you have more equitable practices and programs, then you're really opening up opportunities for everyone. And that is not just students, but Edna Primrose: also faculty staff partners. You know. It's something that we're gonna need to need to keep an eye on, you know, as I reflect on last year.

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Edna Primrose: when we renamed 2 dorms Edna Primrose: after the first black graduates of Towson, Ms. Barnes and Ms. Harris and Towson created a memorial for the 9 black Greek fraternities and sororities at Towson. Edna Primrose: I just can't tell you how much that meant to us because we Edna Primrose: we were not seen when we were here, and to see, like 500 people come back for that. And also they have, you know Dean Chapman still with us, Miss Barnes and Miss Harris still with us to see the legacy they created it like it just moves me to just even to talk about it. And so

00:24:49.250 - 00:26:13.080

Edna Primrose: we are creating a legacy here. And so it's important to honor that and and and not let that go. The other piece is around, you know, being a part of the community. Because, again. Edna Primrose: we have seen how much more Towson thrives by being part of the community, but also how much the community thrives by having Towson as a partner. So we we don't wanna drop the ball on that either, and just make sure that, you know, we're always reaching out and inviting people in not excluding, not excluding people and partners. I think the last thing is around advocacy and just making sure that people Edna Primrose: believe in Towson and support Towson. You know our donors are very important to us, whether they're giving us $5 or 5 million dollars that we appreciate everything that everyone gives to the university, because it makes us better to be able to support Edna Primrose: you. And again, the faculty and staff and and the broader community. So I think in these economic times, you know, we need to make sure that people get their money's worth and feel that they're a part of Towson when they do give their time, talent, and treasure. So I'm excited about our new president here at Towson. Dr. Schatzel's really the only Towson University president I've ever gotten to know.

00:26:13.190 - 00:26:53.170

Edna Primrose: The other ones just Edna Primrose: it doesn't just Edna Primrose: weren't there? Just weren't there? They just weren't there for everyone, I will say, and I feel confident that Dr. Ginsberg is going to continue that trajectory. And I was watching his videos introductory video today. And he, he said. Edna Primrose: he wants to make Towson is great, and he wants to make it better, and and I believe he will, so I'm excited about. You know the future of Towson, and I think that there's a lot we just still need to be mindful for, mindful of, and not take anything for granted whether it's safety programs, community

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Edna Primrose: equity and excellent or excellence. Moore, Azariah: I get that, not getting too comfortable. When you were talking I kind of ot a little like side question. About your time as a Greek student. So I know you said you pledged in your junior year, Was it 1982 or 1983. Moore, Azariah: Yeah. So like, you were saying, it's really important. I think I read somewhere about the the quad and how it's really beautiful that Dean Chapman was even able to be there, and I think, you know, like honoring people that you know supported our community when they're still around is really important. So that was a side note. But as a Greek student. Moore, Azariah: how do you feel like that? Impacted your time? And did you feel like welcomed in the community? Does that? I don't know if that makes sense.

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Moore, Azariah: my question. But when I talked to your charter member Dr. Jaky, she she explained that she really felt, you know, supported by the President at the time, was President Fisher. And do you? I don't know if he was still the present during that time. But did you also feel supported as a Greek, as a black Greek student. Edna Primrose: Yeah, I did. And you know the Greek fraternities and sororities really stood out to me again. That sort of that standard of excellence and commitment to community attracted me. And so I definitely felt like Edna Primrose: the chapter had a lot of support. So I, while I didn't deal directly with the President at the time, You know we had a strong presence. I think one of the things that surprised me is when I went back Edna Primrose: for the memorial dedication.

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I didn't realize how many people I knew Edna Primrose: who chartered the fraternities and sorority chapters at Towson. I don't know, I guess when I was there I thought they'd been there for a long time, and even. Edna Primrose: you know, when I think about me pledging in 1981. Ours, our chapter was the first Black Greek organization to be founded at Towson, and that was in 1975. So it's only 6 years later that is really young. And when I looked at the Kappas and the alphas and some of the names, you know, I hung out with those people. But, boy. Edna Primrose: what courage and leadership, you know, and even talking to Dr. Jaky and and the other charter founders, or our charter members. It's it's like talking to a rock star. I get nervous when I'm around them. I'm just like I don't know what to say, and I know that they're amazed at how many women have joined and pledged the chapter, and created and lived the legacy of Delta Sigma Theta. So

00:29:59.810 - 00:31:20.410

so I felt like we had a lot of support. But a lot of it is because we had that network of Edna Primrose: other black Greek fraternities and sororities and the broader black community. So you didn't have to be a Greek to be welcomed in the community. You know what I mean like we welcome everybody, so we're all still very close. And then, as far as the community goes, we're very welcome in the community because Towson really wasn't serving underserved communities that much. So we were reaching out to black communities to work with youth to raise funds for different organizations. And you know different activities to support people in the broader communities. I think we had a lot of support Moore, Azariah: yeah, I love that. I feel the same when I was talking to Dr. Jaky like I just admire like, all really all of the charter members because they were all kind of close in time but to do something like that is really so important and it created such a legacy for Black students here to continue and I really love that. Moore, Azariah: Yes. Okay. My last question about your actions. Now at Towson is like is, how do you feel that your work is impacting the Towson University community and the Overall Towson community?

00:31:21.650 - 00:32:06.780

Edna Primrose: Well, let's see, I mean, I'm like one person. So what I what I like to say, though, is like in this, this goes to my commitment to service. Overall is. Yes, I am one person. Edna Primrose: but in my little corner of the world I'm going to do everything I can to make a difference in my sphere of influence, I guess, is, is probably a good way to put it so. If I can Edna Primrose: do that and feel satisfied about Edna Primrose: how I'm contributing, how I'm showing up. Then that's very rewarding to me. And also, if I inspire others to do the same, that's even better. And I think that I think that's important.

00:32:07.180 - 00:33:00.540

Edna Primrose: yeah, you know. it's interesting, too. As a leader. Edna Primrose: I I've realized I've come to realize that you set the tone you set the tone for the environment as a leader. So you know, are you gonna be positive? Are you gonna be negative? Are you gonna complain? Are you gonna make things happen? Are you gonna bring people in? Are you gonna exclude people? You know the way you show up as a leader impacts how people behave around you and also Edna Primrose: what actions happen either or don't happen. So I think that you know the the little that I can do, I hope will go a long way, and you know that's one of the reasons why I established the Primrose. Better scholarship to honor my mom. Edna Primrose: Barbara better, and it gives me an opportunity to get like, I said earlier, to give back to the University, but also it. It gives us a place

00:33:00.700 - 00:33:56.380

Edna Primrose: in the culture of change, so that Edna Primrose: I was able to endow my scholarship through throughout the Rise campaign. 2021 is when I endowed it. So now it's permanently in the portfolio of scholarships that Towson has. The difference is before that I was funding it, paying $1,000 a year to fund it. Edna Primrose: I didn't pay the $1,000. It wasn't scholarship. But now it's going, it's gonna be in perpetuity. And that is so important. It's important to create that legacy. You know. I've gotten to know my students and my student recipients, and they're amazing. And they talk to me about how much the scholarship Edna Primrose: makes a difference. You know, I remember one student saying that you know that she had applied for like 20 and hadn't gotten them, and was about to maybe not go to Towson, and that's how I was. It was very precarious for me financially.

00:33:56.800 - 00:35:18.350

Edna Primrose: With my mom being a single divorced parent. So to make that difference in her life in every student's life means the world to me. So I think there are ways, of course, that one person can make a difference, and if we all do our best and give our best like. Just imagine what we can can create. And I think that's what I've seen at Towson, collective voices, collective action, collective commitment that is made Towson what it is today, so I don't. I don't know how much I've done as an individual, but I do know I've done my best. And I feel good about that. Moore, Azariah: I definitely feel like you're impacting like you said with even you know, you're reaching out to students, helping them financially. And then also, I think what you said about being a leader and setting the tone for your team, I think, is really important. So I feel like of, you know. Of course, your work is impacting the overall community. Moore, Azariah: Okay? So now we're gonna get into the last set of questions. They're just about your legacy. Moore, Azariah: we just talked about a scholarship so like you said you're kind of, you know, honoring your mother. What inspired you to create your own scholarship to help students like you here at Towson. I read like the the criteria, and you know it's very specific. And like, I see that you're trying to help students who are in similar situations to you. So

00:35:18.750 - 00:36:21.880

Edna Primrose: yeah, that. So you know, it's interesting, because I always thought of philanthropy as as something you do when you're rich. Edna Primrose: And I'm not. I'm not rich, but I wanted to. I really wanted to be a part of the university in a permanent way. And so, you know, I worked with Sarah Metzgar, who is my Towson angel. I always say that because she's the one who talked to me about becoming part of the foundation board, and I remember when she asked me, I said, Why, me? And she said, Why not you? Why not you? I was like. Edna Primrose: okay And so, you know, when I when I talked to her about the Scholarship. Edna Primrose: she thought it was a great idea. And I think just being around people who do the best with Towson gifts inspired me to want to do something. And so that was that was really cool, and then Frank Sneeringer in the College of Business and Economics, who works with CBE. Was was very instrumental in helping me to set it up. So

00:36:22.100 - 00:37:40.010

Edna Primrose: the specificity really is that as a student from Prince George's County, right? Because I lived in Pg County when I went to Towson, and then a student who has, who did can demonstrate financial need which I really have. So again, it's, you know, a as far as my time at Towson Edna Primrose: grants and scholarships, you know. Work, study later loans. Help me get through Towson. So I want to try to ease the burden of a thousand student by providing these funds, you know. It's one thing to get the tuition together, but then it's living expenses. It's books, and you know all of that. In fact, I was looking at this cavalcade today, and I bought it used from the black Student Union. It's got the black student Union thing right on there. So Edna Primrose: so I really want students to not have finances, be a a deterrent to stay in school, and, you know, to be able to to realize their dream. So that was important. And again, because my mother sacrificed so very much for me to be able to finish college and be the first one in my family to graduate. Edna Primrose: it's the least I can do to to honor her. And and again, I think again creating that culture of philanthropy in my family inspires my children. You know what I mean. So

00:37:40.380 - 00:38:45.020

Edna Primrose: by my mother doing what she did, she changed the trajectory of our entire family, and so, when I look at my sisters and their children. It's totally different. It's a totally different experience of than I had as a child of poverty Edna Primrose: and precariousness and anxiety and and and not feeling safe. So it it does mean a lot. It means a lot to to have this scholarship and to be able to offer that, and even to be able to get to know my student recipients and watch them grow. Edna Primrose: Thank you. I never yeah again, never! I never planned. I never dreamed that I'll be able to do it, and it feels wonderful. It feels wonderful. I think again, Towson has just opened my life in so many ways that Edna Primrose: I just didn't think we're possible. So it's it's been. It's been a great journey.

00:38:46.130 - 00:39:53.090

Moore, Azariah: Love it. Okay, So we're just talking. I feel like every question leads into the next. But yeah. So what do you consider to be your biggest accomplishment at Towson? Maybe one from your undergrad times and then one now working as an adult in the in the university. Edna Primrose: all right. Edna Primrose: okay. Well, I think my greatest accomplishment as an undergrad was graduating, you know, like I said, every semester was like, Am I gonna get to keep going, you know. And when I think of all the things I did to stay in school with all the stuff happening, you know, and my family and my life. Edna Primrose: It was a real thing. So that is the greatest accomplishment, because it opened all kinds of doors for me. And I think that the greatest accomplishment today is the scholarship, because we are creating a legacy. And

00:39:53.090 - 00:40:42.370

Edna Primrose: no, I'm I'm hoping that primroses will continue to go to scholarship Galas, and Towson for years to come, you know, long after I'm gone, and there will always be a primrose at at those galas meeting a student, you know, and changing a life. So I would say, those 2 are are probably my biggest accomplishments. Moore, Azariah: Yeah, makes sense. Moore, Azariah: Okay? So my last question for the oral history is, who else would you recommend that we speak to to continue the work with the Unearthing Towson's History project. Edna Primrose: Hmm, so I don't. I don't know if you talk to a lot of of deltas, but there are a couple of people, Allison Leonard Leach. who is one of my sorority sisters, Adrian Barron Mcmillan.

00:40:42.550 - 00:41:46.030

Edna Primrose: Georgine Smith is the physician's assistant that I mentioned that works on a transplant team, and she lives in Philadelphia. So she was an out of state student, Black student who went to school here. She didn't live on campus. She lived in the apartments that are right across the street from West Village, so I think that she'll have a different perspective as an out of school out of State student as well, and she also played sports here. So I think that she can can add Edna Primrose: some interesting dynamics. I had a chance to meet a gentleman, Barry Evans, who was instrumental in creating the black Student Union, and I think that he would be a really great person to talk to. I don't know if you have interviewed Valerie Smith, but she's somebody else that comes to mind. And Edna Primrose: I'll see if I can think of other people, but those are those are people that are top of mind for me at the moment, and I can give you the information to contact them if you care to do so. Yes, these are. That's a lot of names. I really appreciate that.

00:41:46.050 - 00:42:58.290

Edna Primrose: Yeah, I'll definitely I appreciate this initiative. I think it's wonderful, you know, to to capture all of this great history while people are here and and are able to tell their story. And again, you know, just creating a platform where everyone gets to tell their story is is so important. It's important everywhere. And and I appreciate Towson taking the time to do that. Moore, Azariah: Yeah, I remember when I like found about out about it. And I was like, this sounds so amazing like I have to apply. But I think it's really important, like you said, especially just to honor people while they're here and give them a chance Moore, Azariah: to, you know, share their story and keep it here at Towson for years to come. Yeah, I really enjoyed it. Moore, Azariah: but that is all for the oral history. I wanna thank you again for taking the time out of your morning to talk with me, and I really enjoyed our conversation today.

00:42:58.330 - 00:43:34.350

Edna Primrose: part of the history because you're helping to make history. So just just thank you for that. And you're awesome on top of it. So just thank you. And and and, Ashley, thank you for your leadership, and to to cultivate this with students. And it's just it's just wonderful. So just just thank you both for the opportunity to to tell my story. Edna Primrose: Use a lot. Todd-Diaz, Ashley: Thank you. Well, it means a lot to us as well. I mean to have the support Todd-Diaz, Ashley: and hopefully you will be able to to share as well with other colleagues across campus, so that

00:43:34.440 - 00:43:46.320

Todd-Diaz, Ashley: we can continue to raise awareness and bring in more speakers, and Edna Primrose: absolutely well, thank you. Thanks for everything. Moore, Azariah: Thank you.