May 23, 2025

Join Professor Emerita Ginny Papaioannou this summer for EPIC Yoga, a welcoming, in-person yoga class held at Columbia University and designed for all experience levels. These accessible sessions focus on flexibility, strength, and relaxation, promoting both physical and mental well-being. Summer 2025 class dates: June 10, July 1, July 22, August 5, and August 26.

No prior experience is needed, and all EPIC members are welcome. Interested in participating or learning more? Email epic@columbia.edu.

Unleash your inner thespian with the EPIC Drama Society! Whether you’re a theater enthusiast, a storytelling lover, or simply enjoy great company, our Drama Society is your stage. We’ll gather EPICureans to read plays aloud, taking on character roles for an intimate theatrical experience. Professor Emerita Connie Nathanson guides our journey. Thinking about joining? Newcomers always welcome. Contact epic@columbia.edu for more information.

Clinical Professor Emeritus Fedinand Ofodile Honored

The Arthur L. Garnes Society and the BRAVE Coalition have joined forces to establish an endowment for the Ferdinand Ofodile Lecture on Diversity in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, with a fundraising goal of $100,000. This collaborative effort aims to create a sustainable platform for addressing inclusivity and representation within the medical specialty. The lecture honors Dr. Ferdinand Ofodile, a Clinical Professor Emeritus at Columbia University and former Chief of Plastic Surgery at Harlem Hospital, which pioneered the first plastic and reconstructive surgery training program at a predominantly Black hospital. Dr. Ofodile was a protégé of Dr. Arthur L. Garnes, after whom the organizing society is named.

New Book by Professor Emeritus John Dinges

Chile in Their Hearts: The Untold Story of Two Americans Who Went Missing after the Coup, a new book by Professor Emeritus John Dinges, has just been published by University of California Press (April 2025). Drawing on extensive archival research and new interviews, Professor Dinges uncovers the true story behind the 1973 executions of Charles Horman and Frank Teruggi, two idealistic Americans drawn to Chile by President Salvador Allende’s democratic socialist revolution. Long believed to be victims of a CIA-directed operation, their deaths became the basis for the 1982 film Missing. But Dinges, a veteran investigative journalist, reveals that the most widely accepted version of events was based on false testimony. His account probes the broader legacy of U.S. involvement in Chile. Read a review in The Nation: “The Chile Coup and the Battle for Historical Memory.”

At the request of Professor Robert Pollack, EPIC is pleased to share this guide to help members understand new ID requirements for domestic air travel in the United States. Beginning May 7, 2025, you will need a REAL ID or other federally accepted ID (such as a U.S. Passport) to board domestic flights or enter certain federal facilities. If you already have a valid U.S. Passport, no further action is necessary—just bring your passport to the airport. However, if you plan to use your New York State Driver License or Non-Driver ID, it must be REAL ID-compliant or Enhanced.

What Does a REAL ID Look Like?

• A REAL ID has a white star in a black circle on the upper right corner.
• An Enhanced ID has an American flag icon. (An Enhanced ID also qualifies as REAL ID-compliant.)

Check your license to confirm whether it qualifies.

How to Get a REAL ID or Enhanced License

You must apply in person at a New York State Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) office. Appointments are highly recommended.

👉 Schedule an appointment: https://dmv.ny.gov/offices

Documents You Will Need

You must bring original documents (no photocopies). Here's what you will need:

1. Proof of Identity (ONE of the following):

• Valid U.S. Passport or Passport Card
• Original or certified copy of U.S. birth certificate with a raised seal (hospital certificates not accepted)
• Certificate of Naturalization or Citizenship
• Consular Report of Birth Abroad

2. Proof of Social Security Number (ONE of the following):

• Social Security card
• W-2 or 1099 form that shows your full SSN
• Pay stub with full SSN

3. Proof of New York State Residency (TWO of the following):

• Utility bill, credit card statement, or bank statement (issued within the last 120 days)
• Voter registration card, property deed, lease, mortgage, or tax bill with your current address

4. Proof of Name Change (if applicable):

If your current name differs from your identity documents (e.g., due to marriage), bring legal proof such as a marriage certificate or court order.

👉 For a full list and points of identification, see: DMV Proofs of Identity Guide (Form ID-44)

Fees

• Standard REAL ID: Same fee as your current license or ID
• Enhanced License or ID: Additional $30 fee

Questions?

Visit the New York DMV’s REAL ID resource page for more information: https://dmv.ny.gov/real-id

We hope this guide helps clarify the process. If you have a U.S. Passport, that remains the simplest option. Otherwise, plan ahead to avoid last-minute travel delays.

10–11 am Class practices breathing techniques and moves through some basic yoga poses, concentrating on alignment, balance, and flexibility.

11:15 am–12:15 pm Gentle/chair yoga, ideal for those of more limited mobility or flexibility.

Professor Emerita Ginny Papaioannou, a registered teacher with the Yoga Alliance, leads EPIC Yoga. No prior experience is required to join.

Renew securely online by making your annual

tax-deductible contribution to EPIC.

Or mail a check to:

Emeritus Professors in Columbia (EPIC)

202A Philosophy Hall, 1150 Amsterdam Avenue

Mail Code 9215

New York, NY 10027

Emeritus Professors in Columbia (EPIC) brings Columbia academic retirees together in professional and social fellowship with regular talks, fall and spring receptions, music performances, yoga, and sessions providing practical financial advice. It also sponsors the Douglas Chalmers Graduate Scholars Lectureship for young doctoral and post-doctoral scholars. EPIC is your powerful advocate for the retiree community.

Do you have questions about EPIC? Email us at epic@columbia.edu.