Curry College - Curryer Yearbook (Milton, MA)

Page 22 text:

Dr. Alexander Bartholomew Moissiy has been a member of the Curry Community since 1962. Before coming to Curry, Dr. Moissiy taught for five years at Kishenev-Bessarabia Theological Seminary in Romania and one year at the University of Odessa, Russia. Dr. Moissiy was a Theological and Classical Language major at the Kishenev-Bessarabia Theological Seminary. Dr. Moissiy did his graduate work at the University of Iassy, the University of Bucharest, and the University of Vienna in Austria. At the University of Iassy, Dr. Moissiy was a Theological Language major; at the University of Bucharest, he studied Law and Classi- cal Philology. Dr. Moissiy is also a member of the faculty at Boston College Graduate School of Arts and Science in the Modern Language Department. Among the numerous languages which Dr. Moissiy has at his command are Russian, Spanish, French, German, Italian, and Romanian. The following material was obtained in an informal interview between Dr. Moissiy and Rich Steiner for the sole purpose of the Yearbook. How would you change the present Collegiate Educational System if you had the chance? Or would you? Dr. Moissiy: The present system is antiquated. The curriculum should be adopted so that it meets the needs of today ' s students. The courses especially in the Freshmen and Sophomore Years should be changed. The changes which are necessary can not be done quickly, because they then would be artificial but must evolve gradually over a period of time. The period of time is neces- sary so that the students may adjust themselves to the changes. The present system of Education is a copy of the Educational System used in Great Britian with some American touches but the system should become strictly American. I feel changes are necessary to prevent decay. Do you feel foreign languages are disappearing on the American Collegiate scene? On the High School scene? Dr. Moissiy: The individual receiving a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science a minimum knowledge is necessary. The lan- guage need not be presented in the classical manner but made so the individual can incorporate it to their daily lives. The Liberal Arts college should definitely retain the instruction of a foreign language. The High Schools are maintaining the classical languages and mostly the classical manner of teaching them. What is the biggest problem on campus as you see it and what would you see as a possible solution? Dr. Moissiy: The survival of the small private college is a pressing problem not only on this campus but on many campuses throughout the country. The large state universities can force the collapse of small institutions. Schools can not rely only on the student ' s tuition because of the rising expenses will necessitate tuition increases which the student will be unable to bear, there- fore the private schools will price themsleves out of existence. Scholarships are going to be needed to a greater degree in the fu- ture. Education is still a luxury in the United States but also a necessity since the competition is very keen with a High School diploma not being sufficient. Education is a luxury in that you must have the luxury of spending the money for a necessity . What roles should students play in shaping college policy? Dr. Moissiy: Student participation in college policy is a mere formality since the real decision is still made by the Board of Trus- tees. Student ' s are not fully acquainted with administration and fiscal procedures. It is a question of time before the student ' s assume any real roles of responsibility. 18

Page 21 text:

The Senior Class Of 1972 Wish To Dedicate This Yearbook To Doctor Alexander Moissiy.

Page 23 text:

What do you look for in Curry ' s future growth? How would you sum up your years at Curry? Dr. Moissiy: In the future, I see the college staying as a relatively small institution if they can surmount the financial problems of small colleges. If they can resist bringing a higher influx of students into the college community. Because of the tracts of unused lands there is adequate room for growth. I would sum up my years at Curry, that I noticed the college growing in academic matters with the students growing liberal attitudes and a greater tolerance of differences in others. The college grew in acreage, population, and I feel stature. What do you feel is the role of the professor? Dr. Moissiy: Professors should attract students to their courses. Teachers are like a blacksmith, they put the students in the fire and mold them. It is our professional duty not only in giving lectures but to challenge their intellects with readings that will bring some sort of reaction or leave some type of impression. Do you see a change in Curry students now as compared to a few years ago? Dr. Moissiy: The students are more mature and more aware of the outside world also the way they can affect it. An individuals personality suffers if he stays within himself or his dormitory. A part of the college educational process is meeting other people where the individual is exposed to new ideas and varying life-styles. The student is not tied to his parents any more with the ma- ture person accepting this new responsibility. There possibly are greater temptations that their is a greater presence of drugs on campuses throughout the country, which some students take and others experiment in . 19