An Interview with Tom Kolsky

By: Mark Brennan

BLUE BELL, PA--After serving as the host of  "Issues and Insights," for almost 30 years at Montgomery County Community College, Dr. Thomas A. Kolsky is now giving up his post and passing down the torch.  It is always a sad notion to have someone so involved and integrated in a program leave that very program after over 20 years.  In Dr. Kolsky’s case, there is no exception.

    "What motivated me to do the show Issues and Insights has been basically my interest in raising public awareness of a whole variety of social, political, and cultural issues that affect this country," Dr. Kolsky said on the night of the last show of "Issues and Insights,” a panel and discussion series on Montco Radio.

    Thomas Kolsky was born in Soviet Russia and has lived in several places like Czechoslovakia and Israel.  As a History and Political Science professor, he was educated at Rutgers University, University of Hawaii, University of Pennsylvania, and George Washington University, the last of the these earning him his PhD.  He has taught Political Science and History here at Montco since 1971. 

    "I'll  never forget these lectures," said a passerby as he smiled at Kolsky during the last show of "Issues and Insights."

    What is remarkable about Dr. Kolsky is that he has also made a name for himself as a comedian.  He constantly surrounds himself with humor and spreads it wherever he goes.  According to the MCCC faculty page, "Over the last 15 years [Dr. Kolsky] lectured extensively on politics, Middle Eastern and Jewish history, as well as on humor.  He was deeply influenced by observing life's absurdities as he grew up in Czechoslovakia, Israel, and the United States."  Dr. Kolsky is also a political caricaturist, exploring yet another outlet for his humor.

    However, it is not all fun and games for Dr. Thomas Kolsky.  "The discussions in the show have led to a great deal of awareness.  They brought participation by the community and in some cases even raised controversy.  At one point I was attacked for being biased and the school had to defend me," Kolsky said with a smirk on his face.

    Thankfully, everything he accomplished has not gone unnoticed.  On the website ratemyprofessors.com, a blogging website where students review and comment about college professors and their strengths, Kolsky has met much praise.  Almost every single comment has something positive to say about Dr. Kolsky.  One  enthusiastic student wrote in November 2013, “[I] took him for [honors] political science and he was surprisingly very nice and funny!  [He was] great at explaining [the] material and will always give chances to improve your grade!  [He’s a] great guy!" 

    Dr. Thomas A. Kolsky will be missed as a part of the "Issues and Insights” team and family.

Dr. Thomas A. Kolsky

 

Caricature by Dr. Kolsky