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Volume 19 Summer 2016 News from the Chair The 2015- 2016 academic received in securing new porating these interviews tenure-track lines reflects year witnessed major transi- into the religious studies tions in the Department and the administration’s confi- curriculum. Many thanks the University. We cele- dence in our ability to gen- to Dr. Woolfrey for sitting brated our 50th Anniversary, erate courses that appeal to in as interim chair! and this provided an oppor- a diverse student body, and tunity to reflect on where their recognition of the high Finally, important transi- we’ve been, where we see of the general edu- tions are taking place for ourselves headed, and how cation courses that my col- the university. Our Presi- to work in that direction. leagues offer! dent retired this year, so we Many former faculty mem- be operating under new Another transition is in the leadership. Also, the uni- bers and alumni joined us works as I will be on sab- for the various events, and I versity is realigning the batical this fall and will various colleges. Given

encourage you to check out wrap up my last semester as years of rapid growth in the the next few pages of the department chair when I College of Arts and Scienc- newsletter for pictures and return in the spring. I am es, this college will split, further . confident that whoever the creating a College of Sci- We welcomed three new department chooses will ences and Mathematics and faculty, Dr. Rob Main, Dr. bring new energy and vi- moving the Humanities into Josh Mason, and Dr. Jea sion to the position, and I a newly formed College of Sophia Oh. We conducted will look forward to more Arts and Humanities. another successful search, in the classroom. Dur- and Dr. Ronke Òké will ing my sabbatical, I will Many transitions, many join us in the fall, bringing continue my work on changes, and new opportu- us up to 13 permanent fac- “Documenting Diversity: nities ahead! ulty members. In my view, Religious Perspectives in (JW: as of Fall 2016, the the support that we have Oral History” and on incor- new colleges are in place!) Philosophy Department Faculty and Staff Anderson Hall, 610-436-2841 Dr. Dan Forbes 332 A Dr. Matthew Pierlott 332 D Dr. Steven James 332 D Dr. Ruth Porritt 108 B Dr. Dean Johnson 108E Dr. Helen Schroepfer, Chair 108 A Dr. Rob Main 336 Dr. Cassie Striblen 332 B

Dr. Joshua Mason 336 Dr. Larry Udell 332 C ITY PHILOSOPHY DEPARTMENT NEWSLETTER Dr. Ronke Òké 332 A Dr. Joan Woolfrey 108 C Dr. Jea Sophia Oh 108 D Ms. Rose Sykes, Department Secretary 108

Inside this Issue:

Page Page 50th Anniversary Events 2-3 Student Events 6 Faculty 7-9 Award Winners 14

Alumni News and New Alumni 12-13 Upcoming Events 16 Intersections

WEST CHESTER UNIVERS

PHI L O 5OPHY Past

On October 9, Dr. Fred Struckmeyer led attendees through a review of the Philosophy Department’s history of ac- complishments over the past 50 years. With graceful words from Drs. George Claghorn (founder of the department who was present with his wife, Shirley) and Tom Platt (accompanied by wife Pat), and the presence of Mr. Paul Ban- yasccki (original member of the depart- ment), several alum and current stu- dents celebrated a half a century of suc- cess.

PHI LO 5OPHY Present

Alumni Rei Horst (Program Director for Family Services of Chester County), Henry Poce (who teaches at Malvern Preparatory School), and Jonathan Udell (a law clerk at the Rose Law Group in Scottsdale, AZ with one semester to go in law school) met with current students on April 5 to discuss their career paths in public service, education and administration, and law. They shared how studying philosophy helped to prepare them for what they do, and what they know of opportunities in their area of work. Dr. Ruth Porritt also prepared information regarding Internship opportunities for students, and we had a presentation on the University’s Career Cen- ter and the services they offer.

Page 2

PHI LO 5OPHY Future

On April 13, we concluded our anniversary celebration by directing our attention to the future! The keynote speaker was Dr. Sally J. Scholz, Professor of Philosophy at Villano- va University, who has written extensively on violence against women, oppression, solidarity, and related issues in and political theory. Her books include On de Beau- voir (2000), On Rousseau (2001), Political Solidarity (2008), and : A Beginner’s Guide (2010). She is currently working on issues related to global and human . She is a former editor of the APA Newsletter on Feminism and Philosophy and is currently Editor of Hy- patia: A Journal of . She is also cur- rent president of the North American Society for . Her talk focused on “Future Directions in/for Philosophy.” She was then joined by a panel including our newest faculty members, Dr. Steven James, Dr. Rob Main, Dr. Sally Scholz Dr. Josh Mason and Dr. Jea Sophia Oh who discussed new directions in their own areas of expertise.

Editor of prestigious feminist philosophy journal is guest speaker at our Philosophy Future !

From left, Drs. Jea Sophia Oh, Rob Main, Steven James and Joshua Mason

Page 3 Major Events!!

Peace & Conflict Studies Sponsored Conversation

On November 2, Peace and Conflict Studies, Women’s and Studies, and African American Studies co-sponsored: “Finding a Better Way to Racial, Gender and Queer —A conversation with Civil Rights Elder and Human Rights Ac- tivist, Ruby Nell Sales.” Dr. Dean Johnson moderated the event, which included student leaders bringing questions to the conversation.

10th Independent Circle Hosted by WCU Philosophy Department

Brought to campus by our own Dr. Cassie Striblen (pictured, far right), the 10th annual Arendt Circle is an international con- ference dedicated to the work of Hannah Arendt. It encouraged interdisciplinarity and is commit- ted , such that the circle really is a circle. Partici- pants present to each other around a table. No podiums, no authoritarian positions. Several of our graduate students got to participate and observe.

Page 4

On February 25, the Philosophy Department and the University Sustainability Advisory council sponsored “Spirituality and Sustainability: How communities are working toward a sustainable future.” The keynote speaker was Dr. Laurel Kearns (third from left below) of Drew University, editor of Ecospirit: and for the Earth. The lecture was followed by a panel discussion involving experts representing Islam (Dr. Yarekh Hernandez), Judaism (Rabbi Lawrence Troster), Buddhism (Patricia Kolbe), Hinduism (Tom Berendt), and Daoism (Dr. Jea Sophia Oh) (surrounding Dr. Kearns, in order, below).

Page 5

Student Events

Phi Sigma Tau Induction

On October 29, Drs. Cassie Striblen and Larry Udell presided over the induction of new students into Phi Sigma Tau, the Philosophy Honors Society. Students inducted pictured above are, from left, Jessica Firestone, Robert Duvall, Brian Fink, Jessica Crum, Erik Starn, Vanessa Thiel. Congratulations to these amazing students!

Graduate Student Philosophy Conference

The 11th annual Graduate Student Philosophy Conference was held on March 4 and featured keynote speaker Dr. Paul Taylor of Penn State. His talk was entitled Facing Ferguson: Reflecting on racial innocence. While he ended up having to Skype in, his virtual presence at the grad

conference was much applauded. Adjacent photos: Ashleyphotos: Adjacent WideofLaBondeEyedStudios Attentive philosophy

undergrads

Image:Penn State

Dr. Paul Taylor: Associate Professor of Philosophy

and African American Studies; Head of the Depart- ment of African American Studies Conference organizers and M.A. students Phil Taylor and Matt Rupert WCU M.A. student Brian Fink presenting

Page 6

New Faculty!

Ronke Òké joins the faculty at West Chester University this fall as Assistant Professor of Philosophy. Dr. Òké received her BA from Spelman College (2005), MA from the Univer- sity of Memphis (2009), and Ph.D. from Penn State University (2015). Her research and teaching interests include Critical Philosophy of Race, Africana Philosophy, Existentialism, and Social & (as construed through the 20th Century French Continental tradition). Specializing in race and for- mation with a particular emphasis on intersub- jectivity, transnational conceptions of Black- ness, the intersection of race and gender, and multicultural social justice, Dr. Òké is funda- mentally interested in interrogating Western- centered appropriations of racial identity in an attempt to explore the conditions for transna- tional claims of race and identity, especially as they are framed by the language of race (and racism) and affected by an increasingly “cosmopolitan” world. In the past, her work sought to reconstruct a philosophical account of lived that does justice to the experi- ence of race. She is currently pursuing projects that merge her interest in questions of race, citi- zenship, and identity with her love of Africana literature. Dr. Òké’s research has allowed her to participate in and facilitate cross-cultural and interdisciplinary dialogues in Johannesburg and Capetown, South Africa; Ibadan and Lagos, Nigeria, Kigali, Rwanda; Liberta, Antigua; Par- is, ; San Juan, Puerto Rico and various Diasporic communities across the United States.

Page 7

News from current department members

Ruth Porritt Joan Woolfrey Matt Pierlott

This year I served on the newly formed Here I am back in the chair’s seat tem- Dr. Matthew Pierlott is proud to be cele- WCU Faculty Advisory Committee for porarily. It’s a busy summer. I’m more brating his tenth year as a regular faculty the Poetry Center, which includes Lu- and more involved with my main profes- member in the department. Looking anne Smith in English, Kristin Ervin in sional organization, the North American back, he has seen the department grow English, Leonard Kelly in Theater, Ga- Society for Social Philosophy. I’m Pro- dramatically in both students and faculty brielle Halko in English and Van Stiefel gram Committee Chair this year, and since he began with us. He continues to in Music. The Advisory Committee had lots of details to attend to before the enjoy teaching PHI180: Introduction to works on the annual WCU Poetry Con- conference in July. I just had an article Ethics courses, and PHI/PHY 125: The- ference even as it offers campus events come out in the Journal for Philosophy ology and Science (a course developed that integrate poetry with the visual and in the Contemporary World, entitled by Dr. Struckmeyer, which Pierlott now performing arts. When several academic “The Infectiousness of Hope,” and an- team-teaches with Dr. Tony Nicastro of departments made the transition into the other currently readied for publi- WCU Physics). He is looking forward College of Arts and Humanities, the cation called “The Primacy of Hope” for to teaching the PHI 640: Seminar on filmmaker Jesse Piersol, in Communica- Social Philosophy Today. Are we seeing Kant this coming fall term. They will tion Studies, and I collaborated on a a theme here? examine large portions of the Critique of grant proposal to produce a short docu- I am also working on a book chapter for Pure and the Critique of Practi- mentary film honoring Patricia Grasty an interdisciplinary anthology on Mater- cal Reason. Gaines, the co-founder, with James Trot- nal Ambivalence edited by Sarah man, of the Frederick Douglass Institute. Dr. Pierlott continues in his role as As- LaChance Adams, Susan Hogan and (Continued on page 11) sistant Director of the Honors College, Tanya Cassidy (philosophy, humanities, and oversees several of the Honors Cap- and health faculty, respectively). I will stone projects. The Honors College is be taking a ethics approach to the growing, and he is glad that the Philoso- Dan Forbes question of the for maternity. phy Department has maintained such a strong connection with their programs. Dr. Forbes continues to regularly (Continued on page 11) This past spring, Dr. Pierlott presented a teach Introduction to Philosophy, Intro- paper, “,” for the Wesleyan duction to Ethics, and History of - Philosophical Society’s annual confer- ern Philosophy. Dr. Forbes will be Cassie Striblen ence, this year held at Point Loma Naza- teaching the Graduate Proseminar in rene University. The paper explored Philosophy this Fall 2016, and has se- how differing definitions of ‘’ lected as an overarching course topic the This past year was eventful for Dr. Stri- are used in debates both for and against philosophical theme of opposition and blen. She taught her usual array of religious , challenging the that identity. The class will study some piv- courses and continued to work on as- wondrous events should be seen as evi- otal and texts from ancient sessment. She brought the international dence to compel belief and that natural- philosophy through the present, includ- Hannah Arendt Circle conference to our istic explanations should be used to de- ing works from , Leibniz, and Ju- campus in March, and served as a re- flate religious wonder. dith Butler. Dr. Forbes hopes students viewer for the journal Ethical Theory in the course will enjoy grappling with and Moral Practice. A paper she wrote on ' akrasia' was accepted to the metaphysical aspects of thinking th about . the "17 International Conference on Philosophy, Psychiatry and " Dr. Forbes is currently reviewing a book in Frutillar, Chile held in October; how- by Peter J. Lewis entitled Quantum On- ever, Dr. Striblen was unable to attend tology: A Guide to the of because she was pregnant with her first Quantum Mechanics. If you want to child. Valerie Josephine Stangl was have a better sense of how theories from born in April and both mom and baby contemporary science should impact our are doing fine. Dr. Striblen expects to philosophical discussions about the na- introduce Valerie to everyone in the fall. ture of , , and the , this is an interesting and noteworthy book.

Page 8

Dean Johnson Steven James Rob Main

Dean Johnson's continues to grow the Steven James spent the past year This past year was Dr. Main’s first as a Peace and Conflict Studies program. In continuing to settle into the community tenure-track faculty member, after six the fall Johnson hosted the inaugural at WCU. In the fall, he integrated years with the department as an adjunct Circle of Revolutionary Nonviolence, a response devices [clickers for in-class instructor. Dr. Main continued to teach group of and activ- feedback] into three sections of and develop Creating , an intro- ists who engaged in the theory and prac- Introduction to Philosophy and reprised ductory course on existentialism in phi- tice of nonviolent social change. an undergraduate level critical thinking losophy, art and popular culture. Stu- The group includes about 25 people class that mixed informal with dents in this class are given the option to with decades of experience reach- psychological work on cognitive biases. submit artworks which engage existen- ing back as far as the US Civil Rights In the spring, he taught a graduate tialist philosophy instead of final papers. Movement and the South African Anti- course with a special This year yielded some of the best art Apartheid Movement as well as contem- emphasis on contemporary analytic projects ever submitted to the class, and porary movements such as Black Lives epistemology for the second time and Dr. Main has begun work on developing and the Israel/Palestine Conflict. published a paper titled ‘Epistemic and similar alternative assignments for other As a result of the gathering, Johnson Non-Epistemic Theories of classes. He also taught sections of Intro- is editing a reader/primer that will be- Remembering’ in the Pacific duction to Philosophy and Introduction come available later this fall. Johnson, as Philosophical Quarterly. to Meaning, an interdisciplinary course a part of the Peace and Conflict Stud- in the and semi- ies program, also worked with the Wom- Over the last year, Dr. James was also otics (which was a popular topic among en's and Gender Studies program and privileged to present a novel theory of the students). In the fall term, Dr. Main WCU Social Equity to host Black- remembering to audiences in Miami and (Continued on page 11) led struggle elder Ruby (Continued on page 11) (Continued on page 11)

Josh Mason Jea Sophia Oh Larry Udell

I was welcomed to West Chester by a This past year was Dr. Jea Sophia Oh’s In addition to his usual teaching, which tornado that toppled huge trees and first year at West Chester University. this year included courses in the Philoso- knocked out the electricity. Everything She taught sections of Introduction to phy of Human Rights and the Philoso- phy of Law, Dr. Udell kept busy with seemed relatively smooth after that. Religious Studies, Philosophy and Reli- gions of India, and Asian Philosophy. four projects. In the fall, he initiated and In my first year here, I got to know She is particularly proud of the fact that has been developing WCU’s first entry many students in my introductory clas- she helped three of her students to pre- in the Intercollegiate Ethics Bowl, a ses, and got to know a handful of stu- sent their papers from her Asian Philoso- national competition where teams of dents quite well in my classes on Asian phy class at East-West Philosophers’ students meet to discuss timely and con- philosophy. I’m still not entirely sure Conference in Hawaii in May. Her new- troversial public affairs issues, and pre- who is or is not a philosophy major or ly developed course, “Religion and sented a paper on Karl Popper and John graduate student walking past me in the Ecology,” will be offered this Fall Rawls on the problem of change at a hall, but slowly I’m getting to know the (2016) for undergraduate and graduate conference on Popper’s philosophy in personalities and stories that make up students. In February, as already an Ankara, Turkey. In the spring, he took our community here. I appreciate how active member of Sustainability Adviso- his second trip to Cuba, a project that he welcoming everybody has been. ry Council (SAC) at WCU, she orga- hopes will result in an exchange pro- gram with a Cuban university. And this In my writing and scholarship, I’ve been nized a remarkable event, “Spirituality summer, he presented “Rawls and the working on the themes of harmony, and Sustainability,” How Faith Commu- Limits of Practicable Political Possibil- pathways, and embodied metaphors. I nities Are Working Toward a Sustaina- ity” at the North American Society for was pleased to see my chapter on ble Future, and served as a panelist of Social Philosophy annual conference. “Chaos and Vagueness: Extremes that East Asian traditions. Additionally, she Threaten the Harmonious Society” final- served as a panelist at “The 50th Anni- ly hit the bookshelf in an edited volume (Continued on page 10)  (Continued on page 11)

Page 9

Meet our Excellent Adjunct Team!

Ethics / Philosophy Instructors: Paul Harris, MA University of Essex Peace and Conflict Studies In- Margaret Betz, PhD Temple Uni- versity. (UK). Paul teaches Creating Meaning structors: and Introduction to Philosophy David Headman, MTS Harvard Di- Patrick Denehy, PhD Temple Uni- versity Charlotte Moore, MA WCU, current- vinity School ly enrolled in Temple University’s PhD Kate Eltringham, PhD (ABD) Vil- Rebecca Subar, MPA Harvard Uni- in Religion program. Charlotte teaches lanova. Introduction to Ethics, Religion in the Jina Fast, PhD Temple University U.S., Religions of the West, and devel- Ed Pollitt, MA WCU. Ed also de- oped a course for us on New Religious Religious Studies Instructors: veloped a course for us on Animal Movements. Kipp Gilmore-Clough, PhD Tem- Ethics. John Zak, PhD (ABD) Catholic Uni- ple University Barb Tournier, MBe () versity of America. John teaches Intro- Eduardo Hernandez, PhD Temple University of Pennsylvania. Barb is duction to Philosophy. University. our expert in .

Faculty News, con’t

(Oh, continued from page 9) guest speaker for MSU Interdisciplinary Seminar Series at the Center for Environ- versary Celebration of the Department of mental and Life Sciences and gave her Philosophy,” Future Direction in/for Phi- talk, “Ever Recycling Power of Life: A losophy in April. She attended the Postcolonial Ecotheology of Energy,” at “Brandywine Project Workshop” by Montclair State University (October, SAC in February and the “Religion and 2015). In January, she was a commenta- Ecology Workshop” at American Acade- tor on “The in Light of Contempo- my of Religion in Atlanta, GA in No- rary Metaphor Theory,” Panel II: How to vember 2015. Beyond WCU, Dr. Oh Do Chinese and Comparative Philoso- serves as Chair for the “Religion, Gen- phy, for the The Association of Chinese der, and Sexuality” Section and Co-Chair Philosophers in North America Group for the “Global Religion and Pluralism” (ACPA), at the 2016 Eastern Division Section of the Mid-Atlantic Region divi- Meeting of the American Philosophical sion of the American Academy of Reli- Association (APA), in Washington, D.C. gion (MAR-AAR). In April, she moder- She presented her paper, “A Bear Who ated three sessions at the annual confer- Became A Woman: A Korean Ecofemi- ence of the MAR-AAR. As a scholar she nist ,” in Asian Religions Sec- published a book chapter, “Salim, Ever- tion at MAR-AAR . In May, she present- Recycling Energy: Korean Postcolonial ed, “In the Beginning was the Place…: Ecofeminist Theology of Life,” in Mak- An East-West Dialogue of Creatio ex ing Peace with the Earth: Action and Profundis,” at The 11th East-West Phi- Activism for Climate Justice (Geneva: losophers’ Conference in Hawaii.’ Her Oikoumene, WCC Publications, 2016) significant achievement as a scholar is and a journal article, “Lament over that her presentation paper, “Vulnerable Frankenstein, De-natured: A Transcendence of Nature: A Transhuman Deep Ecology with Sacred Seeds,” in of Hybridity,” won “The American Journal of Theology & Philos- Prize” for the ophy (AJTP), Vol. 37, No. 1, The Univer- Best Paper at the Sixth International sity of Illinois Press, Champaign, IL Congress on Ecstatic in (January 2016). She was invited as a April.

Page 10

Faculty News, con’t (Woolfrey, continued from page 8)

Besides shepherding my History of (Mason, continued from page 9) Western Ethics on-line course through the second summer session and eagerly entitled Conflict and Harmony in Compar- awaiting the arrival of fall term and my ative Philosophy. I also had my article chance to teach for the newly-minted “Harmoneutics” accepted by the journal Women’s & Gender Studies Department Comparative and . (!) as I do every fall (The I was honored to present my work at the Roots of Western Feminism), I will be Comparative Philosophy Semi- eagerly awaiting the arrival of our new- nar, at the Northeast Conference on Chi- est colleague, Dr. Òké , and settling in nese , and at the Comparative and with the rest of my charming colleagues Continental Philosophy Circle in Taiwan. to do work for our students and the Since a class I taught on East Asian philos- university as a whole! ophy is part of the Contemplative Studies minor, I have gotten to know the crew running the Center for Contemplative Studies, and I was invited to talk about “Daoism and Contemplative Artistry” at their seminar series. (Main, continued from page 9) th At the 11 East-West ’s con- (Johnson, continued from page 9) ference I presented my work on “The Right led a graduate seminar on C.S. Peirce Road and the Proper Path: Metaphors of Sales. Sales discussed "Finding a Better and was very pleased to present a paper Navigating the Moral Landscape.” This Way to Racial, Gender, alongside some of these students at the Graduate Student Conference in March. was a once in a lifetime opportunity be- and Queer Justice." cause the conference doubled as a retire- Dr. Main also became the faculty advi- ment party for my dissertation advisor, and In the spring Johnson worked to host a sor to the undergraduate philosophy club many of my friends, classmates, and col- series of scholar-activists on cam- and has been (gradually) working to leagues came together for the occasion. As pus including Eugene Puryear, Simona update the department website. Sharoni, and Ewuare Osa- I start my career here at West Chester, this In his research, Dr. Main is still focusing event encouraged me to reflect on what is yanda who addressed issues such as the current state of US poli- on unpublished work by the American possible and what is worthwhile in pursu- Pragmatists. He recently transcribed ing my life’s work. tics, campus sexual assault, and the rela- tionship between art and activ- portions of Josiah Royce’s dissertation ism. The year ended with Johnson and a at Johns Hopkins, On the Interdepend- host of other faculty and students prepar- ence of the of ing for nonviolent civic engagement as (1878). Currently, he is working on a the campus hosted presiden- paper tracing the influence of Henry tial candidate Donald Trump. James Sr. Swedenborgian theology on C.S. Peirce’s philosophy, and another on the semiotics of Giordano Bruno. Both (Porritt, continued from page 8) of these are part of his larger project on Thankfully we were awarded an Equity, the . Access, Inclusion and Diversity Initia- Highlights in his personal life include tives Grant to fund our project. We are (James, continued from page 9) celebrating his one-year anniversary fortunate to interview people who knew with partner, Cas, and a trip “home” to and admired Pat, a visionary colleague Tampa. At the latter conference he also Washington state (for the first time in in the College of Education. And one offered comments on a paper about the four years) with his family. final note: All of us serving on the Art “best systems analysis” of laws of Ability Committee at Bryn Mawr Rehab nature. At the Eastern Division meeting th Hospital happily celebrated its 20 anni- of the APA, he provided comments for a versary with the largest exhibition to paper about the “extended thesis”. date. Finally, Dr. James joined WCU’s Research and Creative Activities (RACA) review committee and continues to represent WCU on the board of directors for the Greater Philadelphia Philosophy Consortium (GPPC). Over the summer he wrote a book review and has slowly made some on his own book proposal. He is excited for year number three here at

Page 11 Alumni News

Henry (Rick) Poce, MA 2001 is cur- presentation at the Society for Philoso- College of Law. I'll be returning to the rently completing an Interdisciplinary phy of Religion. More interesting for me faculty beginning fall 2016 as Centenni- EdD in Leadership at Creighton Univer- has been the development of a new al Distinguished Professor of Law. In sity. He is just about to begin his disser- online ethics class for my university. March I was named Fellow of the Col- tation research which focuses on devel- I’ve taught ethics residentially and Intro lege of Workers' Compensation Law- oping empathy in relation to community to Philosophy online, but actually creat- yers, a national honor society for twenty service. ing an online class is new territory for -year contributors to the field. I was also me. Even more important this year was named Vice Chair of the Workers' Com- He has been an administrator and teach- that Laura finished her EdD, graduating pensation Committee of the American er at Malvern Prep for 10 years and has with “highest distinction.” Yes, it’s been Bar Association's Tort Trial and Insur- taught as an adjunct at several local col- a good year. ance Practice Section. I have al- leges since graduating from WCU. so become a nationally recognized ex- I’m sorry that I couldn’t join you for any pert on the intersection of ERISA Law Dr. Donovan Irven, MA 2009 has of the 50th anniversary activities, but I and workers'' compensation systems and recently completed his PhD in Philoso- wish you many more years of success! was consulted by, and appeared be- phy and Literature at Purdue University fore, Congressional staffers last January and will graduate in August. His disser- Dr. Tom Sparrow,. MA 2004 will be to discuss policy issues in this area. It tation, "Being and Literature: The Dis- Assistant Prof. of Philosophy at SRU has been a very busy year. closure of Place in ," seeks beginning in the fall. I am also co- Heidegger's "other beginning" in the editing, with Jacob Graham Dr. Christina Rawls, MA 2004 has intersection of and (Bridgewater College), True Detective accepted a full time position in the phi- Modernist fiction where "place" is dis- and Philosophy, which will appear later losophy department at the University of closed as an alternative starting point for this year in Wiley's Blackwell Philoso- Texas Rio Grande Valley and epistemology, thereby phy and Pop Culture series. (Congratulations, Christina!). superseding the Cartesian cogito that still dominates both the continental and Paul Sanborn, MA 1972 (Third MA Anglo-American traditions. In April grad) They brought me back as Director Michael Ardoline, MA 2012 is heading 2016, Donovan was awarded the Eric L. of Curriculum at Devon Prep School in to the University of Memphis to start Clitheroe Award in Philosophy for his Devon, PA this present school year. We working on a Ph.D. in philosophy this paper "Kant and the of the Self in have been very busy in an active refor- fall. (Good work, and good luck, Mike!) the Shadow of Hume," and was invited mation of the school from top to bottom. by John Sallis to attend the 41st Annual In all of this chaos, I was able to list on Tony White, MA 2009 has been an Collegium Phaenomenologicum this the program a full year Philosophy semi- adjunct at Misericordia University since July in Citta di Castello, Italy. At the nar for juniors and seniors. We have graduating in 2009 and at Penn College Collegium, Donovan will present his enough signed up to run the course and I of Technology since the following year. work "How Deep in the Valley of Time: will be teaching it, if I last another year. In addition to philosophy, he teaches The Chronotopology of .” His I intend to call the students "Claghorn's some math at Misericordia. travel to the Collegium has been funded Universals" in honor of our first and by a generous Promise Award from Pur- now former leader. Tony is amping up his to ap- due University. ply to PhD programs, so he can continue Mike Duff, BA 1991. My updates are his pursuit of philosophy, and has spe- Dr. Michael S. Jones, MA 1995. I’ve that I served for 2015-16 as Associate had a reasonably good year academical- Dean of Student Programs and External cial interests in ethics, philosophy of ly, with several minor publications and a at the University of Wyoming religion, and Asian philosophy.

B.A. in Philosophy M.A. in Philosophy Andrew Blassingame Robert Devall New Alumni! Brian LaRose Beverly Littlewood Jonathan Perry Mellissa (Spradley) Henry Will Godman Christopher Raab Carla Agbiro Alex Osburn Mackenzie Holmes Minors P. Andrew Kaye Patrick Pinawin 13 in Philosophy William Cudd 1 in Religious Studies Jessica Firestone 7 in Peace & Conflict Studies Jeffrey Holmes 10 in Kimberly Spiegel

Vanessa Thiel John R. Murray

Page 12 Alumni News, con’t

He’s also qualified as a facilitator for the Alternatives to Violence Project (AVP), non-violence, conflict resolution, leader- ship training workshop. He was trained in REINTRODUCING PHILOSOPHY FORUM!! Philadelphia, apprenticed in Elmira prison in New York, and has now started the Northcentral PA chapter where he lives in Williamsport. They had their first success- Coming this Fall Semester ful basic workshop last May, with ad- vanced and additional basic workshops scheduled for the coming term. Very re- If you’re in the area and would like to be on the warding work! distribution list for our afternoon philosophizing events, please send your email Samantha Noll, BA 2008 After taking a year off, Samantha entered the graduate address to Joan ([email protected]). program at Michigan State University (MSU) in philosophy, specifically focusing in and agricul- Stay tuned for dates and . ture and food ethics. In 2016, she graduat- ed with a doctorate and is currently the Visiting Assistant Professor of Peace, Jus- tice, and Human Rights at Haverford Col- Over the next year, I will be graduating am now looking for full-time work lege. Samantha published several papers in law school, taking the bar exam, and teaching, and we are willing to relocate! her areas of specialization, won grants to starting my first job. I’m looking for- conduct research, was a co-recipient of the ward to finishing my last year of school Very recently in July 2016, some WCU Vonne Lund Junior Researcher Prize for and beginning my career as an attorney folks, including the president, visited interdisciplinary work on global food sys- in Arizona. Los Angeles and our family was able to tems, and is a James Madison Teaching attend and reminisce about our time at Fellow. Adam Pave, MA 2004 It’s hard to WCU. My studies at WCU prepared me believe that I graduated over 12 years well for the road ahead and I wish the Jonathan Udell, BA 2013 I went on to ago from WCU. Just two months after I Philosophy program, and especially its attend law school at Arizona State Univer- graduated, my wife, Kimie, (also a graduates, continued success. sity. In my time there, my studies have WCU grad!) and I were married in West focused on class actions, international law, Chester’s Everhart Park. After my wife Matthew Owen, MA 2014. It is funny and the regulation of emerging technolo- completed a Master’s degree at West- how things align sometimes. Just a few gies. minster Theological Seminary in Glen- days before taking my last comprehen-

side, PA, we moved in 2005 to Hawaii sive exam at WCU, I interviewed for an Last summer, I worked at a personal injury and stayed for two years, where I com- open Spiritual Counselor/Chaplain posi- firm in Phoenix, and I’ve spent the sum- pleted an MA in Asian Religions at UH tion at Caron Treatment Centers in mer of 2016 at Rose Law Group, a mid- Manoa. In 2007, we moved to Wernersville, PA where I had previously sized law firm in Scottsdale, Arizona. Claremont, California where, after quite worked in a more traditional addiction While there, I worked in the class action a few years, I completed a PhD at counselor’s role. Since moving into the department, helping the Co-Chair of the Claremont Graduate University in De- chaplain position, I’ve gone on to semi- American Bar Association’s Class Actions cember 2015 with a focus on the Philos- nary at Meadville Lombard Theological and Derivative Suits Committee prepare ophy of Religion and Theology. My School in Chicago, IL where I am pursu- arguments for consumer protection law- dissertation, Hope Matters: Kant’s Mor- ing a second MA in Leadership Studies. suits. While I haven’t met too many other al Progress through the Lens of Hope, is spiritual care professionals with a formal For the past two years at school, I have primarily about Kant’s Philosophy of background in philosophy, having stud- also participated in the Jessup International Hope and its place within Kant’s moral ied Buddhism, existentialism and ap- Law Moot Court Competition, where philosophy. I hope to continue research plied ethics at the graduate level was for schools present legal arguments in a simu- and perhaps publish in this area. During me the perfect preparation for my day-to lated dispute before the International Court our time in Claremont, some interesting -day life as a chaplain and I am forever of Justice. In 2015, the dispute was mod- things happened – most importantly we grateful for the ways in which seminars eled after Russia’s invasion of Crimea, and had a son, Jack, in 2013. He is a source on Plato, Kant, Spinoza and my team earned a place in the international of great joy in our lives. I was working have prepared me for the careful reading rounds. Last year, I was named the top in college administration, primarily as a and reflection asked of me by my cur- speaker at the Rocky Mountain Super- Registrar, while still a student and I was rent theological studies. Regionals for my argument about national able to also teach this past Spring semes- security detention and one state’s infiltra- ter at Whittier College in California. I tion of another’s computer network.

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2016 Award Winners

Streveler Research Award Claghorn Prize: Prize: Jessica Firestone Sarah MacIntosh Abstract of the winning paper:

Exchanging Places of Yin and Yang: A Feminist Reiteration of Junzi Last year, in May 2015, I received my Bachelor’s De- gree in both Philosophy and English from Cabrini Col- lege. Throughout my undergraduate career, I worked in In recent years, has been repeatedly many tutoring positions, and also leadership positions. to the postmodern critique of its age-old founda- In particular, my work with the Academic and Career tional assumptions of , dualism, and absolut- Exploration Living and Learning Community, mainly ism. While these Ancient Greek legacies gave birth to for incoming freshmen with undecided majors, as a live the genius works of Descartes and Kant, they are also in mentor and tutor in those dormitories was some of the arguably to blame for the modern Western , de- work I enjoyed most. I myself was originally rather un- fined by misogyny, , and racism. Post- decided! I greatly enjoyed my English Lit. studies, but I modern philosophers have only begun to analyze the eventually also found a home at Cabrini’s Philosophy implications of and alternatives to the West’s philosophi- Department— which spurred and encouraged me to cal , but to many it is obvious that a new explore my love of learning and self-reflection as a foundation is necessary in this rapidly-expanding world whole and to hopefully spread such things to others. All faced with global patriarchy, widespread poverty, and of my work in Philosophy comes from that desire, as I rapid climate change. Many in the West are beginning to truly believe the subject can be a great force for encour- look to East Asian philosophies as potential remedies to aging to more fully come into themselves the rigid analytic tradition that has allowed perpetual and finding more fulfillment (and success!) in their male domination of both women and Mother Earth. In lives. this essay, I outline ’s highly-influential and misogynist conception of human ideality and contrast As I was finishing my undergraduate career, I found this with the East-Asian yin-yang and the Neo- more and more I wished to continue forward in the dis- Confucian idea of creativity. While Aristotelian excel- cipline, and ended up accepting the gracious offer of a lence requires strict adherence to masculine principles, I graduate assistantship from the Philosophy Department attempt to present a novel ethic that praises situational here at WCU. Since coming here in the fall of 2015, I responsiveness and harmonization with the cosmic flow have been lucky enough to aid the department in coordi- of qi, or psychophysical energy, to usher in a new era of nating various events, and also aiding various confer- resonance and love among humans and all the myriad ence setups— I’ve also been greatly enjoying that vari- things. ous courses I’ve been exposed to here, which expand beyond what I was offered in my undergraduate career. My own personal interests in the field relate to aesthet- ics and ethics. Even more personally, I’ve had great fun By Jessica Firestone studying mythological pieces and fantastic works, aim- ing at understanding the ever present archetypes and themes that seem to endure over the ages in humanity’s stories and tales. I like finding the intersections where these types of topics cross over into our everyday lives in meaningful ways. Philosophy gives me a great plat- form to look at these types of in the context of much larger frames of mind— and also gives me many avenues to look down in analyzing these types of top- ics.

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Thank you! Heartfelt thanks go out to all those who have contribut- ed over the years to these two funds. Our recognition of these individuals is made possible by your very gen- erous support! To date, we have been able to award 20 excellent students with prizes from the Claghorn fund and the Streveler Research fund. If you would like to make a contribution to either of these, please contact Joan Woolfrey at 610-436-0731 (Fall ‘16) or Helen Schroepfer at 610-436-1004 (Spring ’17).

The Hoffman Scholarship Award for Asian Philosophy

New scholarship award in Asian Philosophy available now.

Along with the awards mentioned above, we now offer another opportunity for our stu- dents. This award goes to an upper division or graduate student in Philosophy or Reli- gious Studies here at West Chester University, who has written an essay focusing pri- marily on Asian philosophy. The essay may be comparative in nature, but should be pre- dominantly focused on the philosophical traditions of South Asia, East Asia or Southeast Asia.

The current award to the recipient is $500. If you are interested in contributing to this scholarship fund, please use the contacts listed above or connect with the WCU Founda- tion at http://www.wcufoundation.org/.

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Upcoming Events!! Mark Your Calendars!

Check our website for further information on the following annual events:

Graduate Student Philosophy Confer- ence– An annual spring conference hosted Career Workshop—This coming spring by our graduate philosophy students. we will again be conducting a career work- shop for our current students. We would like to up a panel of alumni to discuss GPPC– The Greater Philadelphia Philosophy their own varied career paths, tips for suc- Consortium offers a wide array of lectures cessful interviews, and other suggestions and conferences each year. for our students as they look toward their future. If you would like to participate in this panel discussion, please contact Helen IAPRS– The Interdisciplinary Association Schroepfer at [email protected] or for Philosophy and Religious Studies hosts an at 610-436-1004. annual spring conference. Papers by alumni are welcome at this conference! Please check our website for more information as we will post the call for papers.

Philosophy Department Anderson Hall, Room 108 West Chester, PA 19382

Phone: 610-436-2841

E-mail: [email protected]