September 15, 2017
EPIC News and Events
From the President's Desk

EPIC’s annual membership meeting on September 12 was well attended, thoughtful and well, yes, fun. A revised EPIC charter was approved, pending the insertion of a new, expanded section on advocacy for retired officers. The slate of officers and steering committee was elected .  We have a busy and productive year ahead.
 
Yoga is underway and our excellent instructor Professor Emerita Ginny Papaionnou is now offering a second session for beginners/chair yoga, if there is sufficient interest. See Ginny’s note below. Also, a reminder to read Carolyn Greenberg’s note on our new music initiative. Please contact them directly if interested in either of these activities.
 
Remember to mark your calendars for EPIC’s September 26 luncheon meeting to welcome Columbia’s new retirees and to be entertained by famed and talented magician Sebastian, (aka Professor Emeritus, Philosophy, Bernard Berofsky). We can all use a bit of good cheer .  These past couple of weeks walking across campus has reminded me of spring – one day bare trees – the next leaves and daffodils. (I once had a student from Oregon who said she always knew that spring had arrived in NYC when daffodils appeared in pots at the corner stores!) The blossoming of students on College Walk means that now I not only have to watch my step on the bricks, but also navigate around iPhone-reading students. Funny world.
 
Have a good day.
 
Jeanne Mager Stellman, President, EPIC
Professor Emerita & Special Lecturer
Mailman School of Public Health
Yoga for All
Chair/Beginner Sessions
Additional CUMC Session
EPIC Yoga is considering an expansion of the program to include two new classes:

  • A 45-minute Chair Yoga/Beginner class for those who would like the benefits of yoga but have limited flexibility or mobility issues. This is a gentle form of yoga practiced while seated on a chair or standing using a chair for support. No mats or equipment necessary. The class would be Thursday mornings at 11:15 at the Faculty House on the Morningside Campus

  • A one-hour, mixed-level class similar to the one offered at the Faculty House to be held at the Medical Center campus. This class is suitable for beginners or experienced yogis alike. Time and day to be arranged.

If you are interested in either of these options, please contact Ginny Papaioannou for more information.
EPIC Musicians and Music Lovers: Let's play!
A note from Professor Emerita Carolyn Greenberg

Music is a means of bringing us together for enjoyment and friendship. Because many EPIC members have a special love of music, we are undertaking a new music initiative for members and their families, both instrumentalists and vocalists. We would like to plan both periodic and ongoing sessions, perhaps performing for EPIC members at a recital or at the annual reception. We are also interested in re-invigorating our collaboration with the Columbia Music Department and Columbia student music groups. 
Another goal is for us to develop a system for publicizing and attending musical events together, at Columbia and elsewhere. We will explore working with the Columbia Arts Initiative to obtain group tickets to certain performances.

If you are interested in working on growing the EPIC music initiative, please contact me at  cpg2@columbia.edu  with your name, your instrument/vocalist, and your comments or suggestions. We will plan an initial gathering at my Manhattan apartment in the early Fall semester, to meet one another and to exchange information and ideas.
New Member Luncheon Sept. 26
All are invited to welcome newly retired faculty to EPIC at a lunch buffet Tuesday, September 26. Entertainment provided by Professor Emeritus Bernard Berofsky (Philosophy), a.k.a. Sebastian.

11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Faculty House
Garden Room 2

First Thursday Graduate Scholar Talk October 5
First Thursday Graduate Scholar Talk October 5
EPIC's first First Thursday Graduate Scholar Talk of the year will be presented by Kunal S. Sachdeva, Ph.D. candidate in Columbia Business School, on the subject "Linking the Wealth and Longevity Gap: Evidence from the Life Settlement Market"

More information about  First Thursday Graduate Scholar Talks  and the  full schedule of Fall 2017 talks  is available on our website.

12:15 - 2:00 p.m.
Ward H. Dennis Room
602 Lewisohn Hall
Guests welcome!


Complimentary lunch provided