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.
​
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.
​
We live together with Octavia, who is objectively speaking, the best dog that has ever existed and Poppy, who is also a very good little gremlin of a dog.
Education
The University of Iowa
Ph.D. Philosophy (2014)
Dissertation: Cartesian Modality: God’s Nature and the Creation of Eternal and Contingent Truth
​
Committee: David Cunning (Chair), Evan Fales, Ali Hasan, Gregory Landini, David Stern
​
M.A. Philosophy (2010)
Western Michigan University
M.A. Philosophy (2007)
Central Michigan University
B.S. Philosophy & Legal Studies (2003)
Awards
Co-Awardee of the 2023 David W. Concepción Prize for Excellence in Teaching Philosophy (with Dr. Rebecca Scott (Left)).
2023 CMU College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Alumni Award of Distinction for Scholarly Activity.
2023 SUU College of Humanities and Social Sciences Outstanding Scholarship Award
-
(2024) WMU College of Arts and Sciences Alumni Achievement Award
-
(2023) APA/AAPT (aka David W. Concepción) Prize for Excellence in Philosophy Teaching
-
(2023) CMU College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Alumni Award of Distinction for Scholarly Activity
-
(2023) SUU College of Humanities and Social Sciences Outstanding Scholarship Award
-
(2022) Finalist: APA/AAPT Prize for Excellence in Philosophy Teaching
-
(2021) Finalist: APA/AAPT Prize for Excellence in Philosophy Teaching
-
(2021) SUU Grace A. Tanner Distinguished Faculty Lecture
-
(2020) Finalist: SUU Professor of the Year
-
(2019) SUU Distinguished Educator Award
-
(2019) SUU Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning Curriculum Innovation Grant
-
(2018) SUU College of Humanities and Social Sciences Innovative Pedagogy Award
-
(2017) SUU College of Humanities and Social Sciences Early Career Award
-
(2017) SUU Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning Curriculum Innovation Grant
-
(2016) SUU Athletics Most Valuable Professor
-
(2015) Finalist: SUU Professor of the Year
-
(2011) UI Council on Teaching Outstanding Teaching Assistant Award
-
(2010) UI Academic Excellence for Commitment to Undergraduate Teaching
-
(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.
​
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.
​
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!
​
I"m also a former art-kid, art history enthusiast,
and museum goer.
​
The best part, however, is doing all of this with
my partner, Cassie, and our wonderful puppies,
Octavia and Poppy.
