A series of discussions co-created by SPS Community Relations gives retired Columbia University professors a chance to continue sharing their knowledge with the community and has been recognized in the University's new news site.
The genesis for these talks came three years ago when members of Emeritus Professors in Columbia (EPIC) began discussing ways to increase community outreach. Retired Teachers College professor Margaret Jo Shepherd and George Calderaro, Director of Community Relations at the School of Professional Studies, initially developed the idea of the EPIC Talks because they saw that “there are a number of Columbia professor emeriti who are still passionate about their scholarship and work, but weren’t able to or desirous of teaching every week.”
The 2019 series kicked off in February with history professor Alice Kessler-Harris speaking on the topic of Lillian Hellman. Five free discussions are offered per year, and people of all ages are welcome to attend. The spring 2019 lineup includes discussions about a developing healthcare system on an island off the Democratic Republic of Congo by a professor emeritus and special lecturer of sociomedical science in pediatrics, David Evans, and the undimmed popularity of the song “Over the Rainbow” by music professor Walter Frisch.
Read the full story at Columbia News and learn more about Community Relations at Columbia University’s School of Professional Studies.
