When the ancient Greeks developed the idea of the "academy," promoting the study of the arts and sciences, one of their major goals was to gain a better sense of what it meant to be human and to enjoy being part of humanity.

The new sixth president of Marymount College, a veteran higher-education teacher and administrator, accomplished pianist and innovative filmmaker, believes that the lifelong search for the essence of existence is at the core of Christianity, too.

"I don't see the aim of the study of the arts and sciences as being too different from the words of Christ," said Michael S. Brophy, during a mid-August interview at his office on the Rancho Palos Verdes campus overlooking the Pacific Ocean. "Many of Christ's teachings and thoughts were much about being human. What does it mean to be human, but, also, what impact do you have on other human beings through your actions and beliefs.

"So I don't see the two ideas as being mutually exclusive. I think a liberal arts program needs to promote the pursuit of inquiry. And, at times, that will put ways of life or faith that are at odds with you in front of you. But I don't see that as being too far from where we would hope the Catholic faith presents, which is essentially a generosity and an openness to different perspectives."

The 42-year-old native New Yorker, who assumed his new post August 1, is himself the product of a liberal arts education at the College of St. Rose in Albany, New York, where he received a double-major bachelor's degree in piano/English and later a master's degree in English. The Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet, who staffed the upstate school, encouraged him to stretch his intellect, including writing a paper comparing transcendentalist Ralph Waldo Emerson with composer Charles Ives.

"I think Catholic education works best when it presents essentially role models to young people, and that's what St. Rose did for me," Brophy said. "They put Sisters of St. Joseph and other well qualified profs in front of me, and they promoted inquiry, dedication and being humble so you can hear other points of view.

"And in my case, they never said, 'no.' They never said, 'Michael, you're not able to do this.' I was a respectable piano player, by no means a virtuoso, and they encouraged me to do my best. And when I broke my wrist roller skating, they encouraged me to pursue my love of English."

Brophy went on to teach at St. Rose and become associate dean of admissions. He also held administrative posts at nearby The Sage Colleges, Southampton College in New York, State University of New York College of Technology at Canton and Stephens College in Columbia, Missouri. In addition, he was a Fulbright Scholar, who taught English at the American University of Bulgaria.

He comes to Marymount from the University of Wisconsin-Baraboo/Sauk County, where he was campus executive officer and dean since 2002.

Along the way, he earned two more graduate degrees: a master's in fine arts from Long Island University and, more recently, a Ph.D. in educational leadership and policy analysis from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. With his fine arts background, he's made three films: "Tina and Lance," which won the best feature award at New York's Capital Film Festival, "Victoria Pool" and "Night for Day: The XP Story."

The latter, a documentary, is about xeroderma pigmentosum victims who develop a rare form of cancer when exposed to the ultraviolet rays of sunlight. The filmmaker spent three years researching how XP families from Cuba, England, Peru, Israel, Australia, Pakistan, Dominican Republic and the United States struggle to survive.

He and his wife, Tara, have three children: Sullivan, 10, Myles, 8, and Ella, 2.

Academic freedom
Brophy believes that any good college in today's world wants its faculty to have the opportunity to pursue a path of academic freedom in terms of expression and inquiry, but admits this is somewhat tempered at a Catholic college. He says at Marymount, for instance, a collegial, civil, respectful and humble environment has been fostered over the years, one that faculty members know and respect.

Moreover, many students come to the two-year school because it's a Catholic college, he points out. So presentation of Catholic, as well as non-Catholic, ideas is vital.

"But what's most important is that if we're teaching students what it means to engage in a liberal arts and science experience, we're helping them to remember that life is not simple --- life is complex and, really, very few things are black and white.

"I don't see how that is that far from being Christian or being Catholic. Because being human is complex. And I think as long as the faculty remembers that we have an environment that we've constructed and that they indeed are role models of a Catholic institution, I don't see any conflict."

His first year will be a learning experience at the Palos Verdes Peninsula campus. And he's thankful for the advice and mentoring Thomas M. McFadden, who served as Marymount's president for 14 years, is generously providing.

An ongoing building improvement plan calls for new student residences and recreation center, along with a new library to replace an aging one and expanded art facilities. In the future, the college hopes to construct faculty and staff housing at its other campus off of Western Avenue.

So the new president's first priority is to have all the required building permits approved by the spring of 2007 and to start construction later that year.

"I feel very lucky and excited to be here," Brophy confided with a small smile. "And, frankly, I hope to fulfill the potential of the campus through the building program; but also I hope to fulfill everyone's hopes for me, which are not little.

"The biggest change for me is coming from the public world to not only being the leader of a Catholic institution, but creating a Catholic environment. It's an awesome responsibility because it really goes beyond higher education. That I knew intellectually, but now day in and day out I'm reminded of the fact."

Then the smile turned into a full-blown grin.

"When I say I'm pinching myself, I'm not kidding," added the educator and filmmaker. "I'm in a beautiful setting. I'm at a Catholic college. And I'm in the heart of filmmaking. So, yeah, this is good."