Professor Modini was, in 2004, my philosophy professor and my mentor at Lynn University, where for decades he taught philosophy at Master's and Ph.D. levels. As a requirement to graduate with a bachelor's degree in Business Administration, I took a class called Critical Thinking based on a philosophy class that was taught at the master's level, and which is now a core curriculum of the undergraduate completion apparatus.
The topic of the course was “Critical Thinking," and Modini requested that the class used “For The Time Being," which was a booklet that was written by Annie Dillard. The author's style of writing was Elliptical Style, kind of unheard of and very difficult to write about. The assignment consisted of writing four reflections; this particular one was about commenting on the author's book and her Elliptical Style of writing, “For The Time Being." In short, Modini warned the class: "Guys, your writing for this class is going to be very different from all previous English classes you had taken." Everybody panicked, and I was no exception.
I stumbled before I could write my first reflection. At first, I let Mr. Modini take a look at it for his philosophical comments. Halfway into the second paragraph, he said: “Hubert, you're on your way, but not quite there yet." I then realized how hard the course was and the challenges I had to overcome.
Panicked, I did some research on the author and her Elliptical style of writing. Consequently, my first reflection and subsequent three were among the best. By the way, every student took turns presenting his/her reflections to the entire class. Then, questions from the students and comments by Modini followed. The course was like sucking the blood out of a rock. I brainstormed to the point of bursting my brain into pieces. Thank God, I succeeded. By the way, please note that I am too wise to be boastful; it is just a matter of sharing a success story with everyone
Toward the end of the semester, Modini called me apart and asked me if philosophy was my major. I said, no, sir. Then, he invited me to attend a literary club of which he is a member. Me, a guy with a BA in Business Administration, belonging to a literary club with a group of gray-haired Ph.Ds! There is no way. Surprised, I said, "Modini, you are my teacher; I cannot belong to a literary club where you and people with Ph,Ds like you are evolving." Then, he stared at me and said: "Hubert, I bet you if you belong to the club, you will give, and you will take." His suggestion left me both in a state of shock and in a hidden contented mood. In fact, I was flattered to be invited to that literary club, but at the same time, I was wise enough to know my limitations. I turned down the offer without expressing it.
Modini, in my opinion, had exaggerated my intellectual abilities. I would feel out of place to be in the midst of those highly educated fellows. As a result, I never signed up for membership in that club. What Modini did not know is that, as a Haitian national, my languages are Creole and French; English is my third. I am grateful to Modini for pointing my potentials out to me. He even pushed me beyond my intellectual boundaries. “Hubert, you could become a philosopher, a writer or a journalist." He motivated me and showed me what I am capable of. Today, I owe my success in journalism to Mr. Modini. He was both my professor and my mentor.
As Brad Henry once said: “A good teacher can inspire hope, ignite the imagination and instill a love of learning."
