About me
I am a native Michigander and a second generation university professor. I have a number of hobbies: as a former master barista, I love everything coffee. I love getting tattoos (I have somewhere in the neighborhood of 30), spinning vinyl, cycling, baking, amateur (home) bartending, travel, and reading.
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I have a wonderful partner, Cassie, who is also a philosopher. She inspires me to be a better philosopher and a better overall human. I'm really fortunate to have her in my life.
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We live together with Octavia, who is objectively speaking, the best dog that has ever existed. Don't get me wrong, all dogs are excellent, but Octavia is just a little bit better.
Education
The University of Iowa
Ph.D. Philosophy (2014)
Dissertation: Cartesian Modality: God’s Nature and the Creation of Eternal and Contingent Truth
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Committee: David Cunning (Chair), Evan Fales, Ali Hasan, Gregory Landini, David Stern
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M.A. Philosophy (2010)
Western Michigan University
M.A. Philosophy (2007)
Central Michigan University
B.S. Philosophy & Legal Studies (2003)
Awards
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(2023) APA/AAPT Prize for Excellence in Philosophy Teaching
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(2023) CMU College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Alumni Award of Distinction for Scholarly Activity
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(2023) SUU College of Humanities and Social Sciences Outstanding Scholarship Award
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(2022) Finalist: APA/AAPT Prize for Excellence in Philosophy Teaching
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(2021) Finalist: APA/AAPT Prize for Excellence in Philosophy Teaching
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(2021) SUU Grace A. Tanner Distinguished Faculty Lecture
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(2020) Finalist: SUU Professor of the Year
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(2019) SUU Distinguished Educator Award
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(2019) SUU Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning Curriculum Innovation Grant
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(2018) SUU College of Humanities and Social Sciences Innovative Pedagogy Award
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(2017) SUU College of Humanities and Social Sciences Early Career Award
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(2017) SUU Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning Curriculum Innovation Grant
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(2016) SUU Athletics Most Valuable Professor
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(2015) Finalist: SUU Professor of the Year
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(2011) UI Council on Teaching Outstanding Teaching Assistant Award
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(2010) UI Academic Excellence for Commitment to Undergraduate Teaching
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(2010) UI James F. Jakobsen Award for Best Presentation in Humanities
I also have hobbies...
Following Hume's invocation, in addition to all the philosophy, I am still a human. As such, I enjoy doing a number of things. I love music and have an extensive record collection. I even used to DJ at a brewery in southern Utah! My favorite was always Motown night.
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I also really enjoy both cooking and baking, though I don't much care for sweets, so be on the lookout for desserts of various kinds - I'll try to pass them off at some point I'm sure.
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I love cycling, though I've not been as actively riding so much of late. If you know any good paths (I road-bike), let me know!
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I"m also a former art-kid, art history enthusiast,
and museum goer.
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The best part, however, is doing all of this with
my partner, Cassie, and our wonderful pup, Octavia.
