The (s)Avant Garde: Vol 1, Issue #1

The (s)Avant Garde

• This segment will focus on students/graduates impacting their communities in utilizing their developed skill sets and advancing their quality of life.

With conflicting stigmas in pursuing higher education - rising costs in tuition, the corporatization of the university, among other issues - we find it increasingly difficult to view a college or university education as a valuable venture. Any prospective student or graduate would be leery of the student-loan debt crisis recently surpassing $1 trillion, in which students are accumulating massive amounts of debt in order to obtain a quality education.

Whatever the physical or figurative cost, I view a degree as the culmination of the passion for discovery in any subject. Many institutions are now requiring a minimum of a B.A. upon admittance(or hiring) and so a degree, in this sense, has the potential to fulfill itself as a worthwhile investment.

• The first interview will feature a long time friend and colleague, Mike Morón.  Growing up on San Antonio's west side, he spent years living and studying at DePaul University in Chicago. Recently returned to his hometown, he works with Big Brothers-Big Sisters of South Texas and remains actively involved in the inner city community.

NAME: Michael Morón

STUDENT or GRADUATE: Graduate, DePaul University

FIELD OF STUDY: Philosophy, Political Science, Liberal Arts

photo by Andrea Medina

Community at Large: Coming from your west side community, how would you describe the adjustment of attending college in a major metropolitan area?

Mike Morón:

Community at Large: What inspired you to pursue studying these subjects?

Mike Morón:



CL: Were student loans a factor in considering your choice of college?

MM:

CL: With a background in your particular studies, you bring a scholarly perspective to the BBBS mentorship program.How would you characterize our approach in mentoring young people?

MM:

CL: Both philosophy and political theory have a rich history exemplified by figures such as Socrates and Aristotle to Locke and Rousseau to Hegel and Marx to Sartre and so on. How do you see current issues shaping American philosophy in the 21st Century?

MM:

CL: Is there a particular philosopher/theorist or influential school of thought that you suggest we delve into?

MM:

Updates coming soon!

• this interview was recorded at The Filling Station Cafe & Tap Room