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Goucher College and Edenwald Senior Living announce plans for the first university retirement community in Maryland

Edenwald residents will have the opportunity to participate in Goucher’s nationally recognized study abroad, academic, and cultural programming

 

BALTIMORE (September 2024) – Goucher College and Edenwald Senior Living have announced plans for the first university retirement community (URC) in Maryland, combining lifelong learning and programming from a college with the attractive residences, services, and amenities of a Life Plan Community. Goucher and Edenwald will expand their decades-long relationship to offer robust integrated URC programming on a shared campus.

Goucher will offer unique educational and cultural activities for all current and new Edenwald residents, including the ability to participate in international study abroad programs, audit Goucher College classes, and collaborate in a cooperative community garden. Edenwald residents will also have access to other amenities on the Goucher College campus, including use of the library and attending performing arts events.

Edenwald will add 127 new apartments, common spaces, indoor parking, and other amenities in three new eight to 11 story towers comprising over 284,000 square feet of new construction on three acres of land leased from Goucher College. Programming will be launched and piloted with current residents in the 2024-2025 academic year and will expand to a host of services in time for the new URC facility’s debut.

Edenwald, founded originally in 1881 as the General German Aged People’s Home of Baltimore, relocated to Towson in 1985 on land acquired from Goucher College.

“This partnership builds on a 140-year legacy of educational innovation at Goucher College,” says Goucher College President Kent Devereaux. “Founded as a leader in higher education for women, today Goucher remains one of only two colleges in America to require 100% of its students to study abroad as part of its commitment to global education. Now, Goucher will be the first in Maryland to bring that same innovation and commitment to academic excellence to create a university retirement community with Edenwald, our long-time next-door neighbor.”

“The beauty of this collaboration with Goucher is that it builds on Edenwald’s 143-year-old history and mission to inspire people to continue to live lives of significance. This is accomplished through opportunities for continued growth and lifelong learning. The synergies can’t be denied,” says Mark Beggs, President and CEO of Edenwald.

Goucher will leverage its expertise in global education to offer an intensive course abroad (ICA) for Edenwald residents and undergraduate students. This co-generational study abroad experience will kick off with a three-week arts and culture ICA in Scotland in the summer of 2025. Goucher has consistently been ranked as having one of the best study abroad programs in the country, and these signature programs will expand to other countries in subsequent years.

Recognized as a national leader in undergraduate teaching, Goucher faculty will develop new co-generational classes that will be integrated into the undergraduate curriculum. These courses will span a range of topics and disciplines, with the first piloted in the Spring 2025 semester. Students will take these courses for academic credit, while Edenwald residents will audit them. Edenwald residents will be given the opportunity to register for classes once Goucher student registration is complete.

Additionally, co-generational engagement will extend to co-curricular and community engagement. Goucher and Edenwald will develop a cooperative community garden on Goucher’s campus that will offer Edenwald residents the opportunity to participate in student-led activities in the garden. Edenwald residents will also have access to live performing arts, lectures, and other cultural events on campus for free or at a discounted rate, as well as to the college library.

The new Edenwald senior living development will feature three towers including a total of 127 one- and two-bedroom apartments with open-concept floor plans ranging from 1,300 to 1,800 square feet and an under-building parking deck. The luxury apartments will include oversized windows, full gourmet kitchens, stainless steel appliances, balconies and more, while the overall development will include rooftop decks, beautifully landscaped commons, and a café. Residents will also have access to multiple classrooms and lecture spaces included in the property, as well as full access to Edenwald’s pool and fitness center, and other amenities. The new buildings will be directly connected to Edenwald’s campus via an enclosed walkway.

“All members of the Edenwald community are excited about this collaboration. We have so many residents who are Goucher alumni and retired faculty, that it creates a shared sense of community and ownership already, so that residents and Goucher faculty working together to build the programmatic elements is just amazing,” says Beggs.

“Edenwald has been a tremendous neighbor over the past 40 years and many in our Goucher community have chosen to retire there,” said Devereaux. “Both of our organizations emphasize the value of lifelong learning, and this URC will be an extension of those core values.”

A variety of expanded opportunities for the URC are being explored for future consideration, including potential volunteer opportunities, internships, student mentoring, faculty speaking engagements, classes taught by expertly trained staff from Goucher’s Pilates Center, and Goucher faculty development specific to co-generational learning and teaching. Evolving from the current Goucher student, staff, faculty, and Edenwald resident working group will be a new coordinating council that will help guide the progression of the partnership and services to ensure alignment amongst each organization.

About Goucher College

Named one of the best national liberal arts colleges, most innovative colleges, and best colleges for study abroad by U.S. News & World Report, Goucher College provides the academic and career experience that helps students become who they are meant to be. Located in Baltimore, Maryland, Goucher believes in the power of global education and offers flexible study abroad programs at no additional tuition cost. With a range of in-demand programs and small class sizes, the core curriculum equips students to collaboratively address complex problems, successfully navigate a global economy, and tackle humanity’s most pressing issues. For more information, please visit www.goucher.edu and follow Goucher College on X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, Facebook, Snapchat, and TikTok.

About Edenwald

Established in 1881, Edenwald is a Life Plan Community located in Towson, MD serving over 400 residents. Our continuing care retirement community provides a distinctive, fulfilling experience for people seeking the ability to define their own path toward aging amid a culture of belonging. Demonstrating a core value of supporting all individuals, Edenwald is designated as a “LGBTQ+ Long-Term Care Equality High Performer” in the Human Rights Campaign Foundation and SAGE’s Long-Term Care Equality Index (LEI). A resident-driven, intellectually rich community, community members enjoy a lifestyle steeped in culture, enhanced by elegantly appointed apartment homes, stellar service and amenities, and exceptional healthcare, if ever needed, right on campus. For more information, please visit www.edenwaldexpansion.org, which also showcases Edenwald’s new branding, follow Edenwald on Facebook and subscribe to the Edenwald YouTube channel.