Suffolk University Alumni Magazine 2008/2009 - (Page 12) the faculty//INNOVATION & EXCELLENCE MICHAEL MADDEN STORY TImE WITH UNclE JOE “ThE dEparTmENT ChairmaN asked me what I wanted as a retirement gift so I told him I wanted an iPod,” says education and human Services (ehS) Professor Joseph McCarthy in reference to his sell-out Popular Songs seminar. McCarthy, who retired in 2007, first came to Suffolk in the early 70s and has taught in both the ehS and history departments. had he been an oxford don in the 19th century, he would probably have been classified as a generalist. Then again, this would be an atypical oxford don with his blue jeans, sneakers and Claddaugh earring. McCarthy’s teaching career at Suffolk has moved from one area of interest to another. he created the university’s master’s degree program in higher education Administration, advised graduate students, taught freshmen, encouraged young history majors in their baccalaureate pursuits, and taught courses about World War II, medieval popular culture and the theory and practice of history. “I always marvel at Joe,” says dean kenneth Greenberg. “he is such a great scholar who knows Education and Human Services Professor Joseph McCarthy so many of these different ways of learning and knowledge. It’s remarkable.” McCarthy taught his students that the worker, the scholar or the professional should have an unfettered intellectual curiosity. from the first day of a new course, he would say that his course would not be a pedantic regurgitation of names, facts and half-baked analysis, just “story time with your Uncle Joe.” In the words of an old 70s soul song, there ain’t no stopping McCarthy now, because he’s on the move. on the South Shore of Massachusetts, he presides over a bit of the old agrarian Massachusetts where he splits logs and raises chickens that have claimed the blue ribbon at the annual Marshfield fair for two years running, all the time looking after his grandchildren. McCarthy will continue to teach and informally advise at Suffolk. he is a living connection to Suffolk’s days as that small upstart Beacon hill institution educating commuter students. No matter what course he teaches, the fundamental lesson will always be the same: never lie about facts and never be afraid of ideas. AMY NORA LONG IT’S A mUSIcAl lIFE iN NEW yOrk, where you can see productions originating from Africa to Iceland, you can also see musicals this year that came from your own back yard, Suffolk University. Three musicals originally developed by the Boston Music Theatre Project (BMTP), a program of the Suffolk University Theatre department, had professional New york area debuts this season. The incredible circumstances are not the triumph of coincidence, but the result of a carefully crafted model and the tenacity of Theatre department Chair Marilyn Plotkins. Plotkins founded BMTP in 1987 as the first professional organization in the Greater Boston area dedicated exclusively to the development of new work in musical theatre. “I have a life-long interest in musicals,” says Plotkins. “BMTP was a natural outgrowth of my training, experience and professional interests.” for the next 10 years, Plotkins partnered with local and national organizations and artists to develop new work, including Elmer Gantry, produced by the Nashville opera and the Peak Performances series at Montclair State University in January, 2008, and Look What a Wonder Jesus Has Done, featured in the New york Music Theatre festival this September. In 1999, Plotkins integrated BMTP into the academic framework of the newly formed Theatre department to engage Suffolk students in the development process. Crossing Brooklyn, a new musical by Laura harrington and Jenny Giering, premiered off-Broadway in the fall at the Transport Group and was the first BMTP piece developed with students—but it certainly won’t be the last. The hands-on experience of BMTP is a unique facet of the Suffolk Theatre department and has inspired other in-house professional development opportunities, such as Wesley Savick’s National Theatre of Allston and richard Chambers’ professional design apprenticeships. As the program continues to grow, so will the opportunities. Plotkins is currently in negotiation with two New york writers for the next BMTP project, slated for spring, 2009. Professor and Chair of the Theatre Department Marilyn Plotkins [12] SUFFOLKARTS+SCIENCES//2008/2009 ALUMNI MAGAzINE
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