Other Awards: Iredell Jenkins Endowed Memorial Award, Phi Sigma Tau inductee
Hometown: Edmond, Oklahoma
Favorite Experience: My favorite overall experience at The University of Alabama so far was the Philosophy Department’s Undergraduate Research Conference last Spring. I presented a paper arguing against the examples of a priori knowledge of contingent truths found in Saul Kripke’s Naming and Necessity. It was the first time I had presented anything in philosophy, and it taught me valuable skills beyond argumentation and writing. I felt that my presentation received a very positive reception from both student commentators and faculty, and I am proud of it as an academic accomplishment.
Favorite Class: My favorite class so far has been Dr. Alter’s PHL-360 Philosophy of Mind. I’m specializing in the philosophy of mind and intend to write my Honor’s thesis based on one of the papers I wrote in that course. Rather than teach it as a general survey of the subject, Dr. Alter chose contemporary readings from its foremost thinkers, and I felt that I was engaging with their ideas directly. This helped to make it the most intellectually fulfilling course that I have taken at UA.
Future Plans: Though I have a deep passion for philosophy, I am also majoring in Finance and Mathematics, minoring in Actuarial Science, and pursuing my Master’s in Finance through Manderson’s Accelerated Master’s Program. This summer, I will be interning with Oliver Wyman’s Life Actuarial Consulting practice, and I plan on becoming an actuary after I graduate. Although my professional aspirations lie elsewhere, I hope to continue philosophy as a personal intellectual interest.