|
Orthodox Observer - March 5, 1997
Teachers College Re-established at St. Basil Academy By Fr. George Neofotistos St. Basil Academy has existed as an institution of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese for 53 years. It was established as an orphanage and teachers training college in 1944 by Patriarch Athenagoras to meet the growing demands of the Church for a residential child protection center and a Greek teachers college. The college prepared its graduates to teach modern Greek, and as choir directors and church office managers. His All Holiness was encouraged by the enthusiastic support and commitment from a few clergymen and dedicated women of the Ladies Philoptochos, who chose St. Basil Academy as their primary project and reason for existing. The Academy, as an institution of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese, was incorporated by the State University of New York Board of Regents and granted a provisional charter in 1945. After careful examination and deliberation, the regents granted St. Basil Academy an absolute charter on March 17, 1950. The teachers college level component was transferred to Hellenic College in 1973. This move was necessitated to support the Hellenic College project. The residential child protection component continues to function on the St. Basil campus. We live in the age of specialization and the Church has recognized the need for qualified youth specialist. | Archbishop Spyridon, after careful research and consultation on Church needs, mandated and set as a priority item the reestablishment of a three year co-educational college level program at the Academy. Accreditation will be applied for at the end of the first academic.year. The college will prepare its graduate with the necessary tools to guide the parish religious, Greek educational and cultural programs, in consultation with the parish priest. The Church youth specialist will be knowledgeable in organizing and programming quality youth diocesan and parish programs. The college program is committed to develop and offer an innovative undergraduate educational experience. The Church youth specialist curriculum will be a three-year traditional Liberal Arts transfer program. It will include units in religion, Greek and English language and literature, sciences, social sciences, education, music and computer science. The academic program will challenge and give the student the opportunity to focus on a professional career and a pre-professional program. The guiding spirit and aims of the College's academic program, which will be grounded in Jesus' message, are to foster intellectual, critical thinking, effective writing and speaking skills with an emphasis on church youth programming and cultural exposure. The first class begins in the fall and will be limited to about 20 students. Enrollees must be graduates of an accredited high school. Financial aid will be available. For more information, write to the Dean of Admissions, Church Youth Specialist Program. St. Basil Academy, R2 Box 8A, Garrison, New York 10524, or phone 1-914/424-3500 or Fax 1-914/424-4172 _____________ Fr. Neofotistos is former director of St. Basil Academy. [ Orthodox Observer - Vol. 62, No. 1124 - March 5, 1997 - p. 3 ]
|
|
|
|
|