"I’d like to give shoutouts to Professors Jonathan Livengood and Kirk Sanders. Professor Sanders taught the first course in Philosophy I ever took at the University, and it was a captivating, amazing experience. Likewise, Professor Livengood teaches fantastic courses—I’ve taken two—and, additionally, he introduced me to the world of Experimental Philosophy. Ex Phi has been, by far, the most exciting part of my U of I Philosophy experience, and I look forward each week to the meetings of the research group."—Noah Meyerhoff
Why did you decide to major in philosophy?
I actually began my college career in DGS, only declaring my Philosophy major during my sophomore year, after several fascinating classes with brilliant professors showed me that philosophy was something I loved. Now a Junior, I cherish every day that I get to go to school with classmates whose dedicated primary interest is thinking—and, in particular, thinking openly, honestly, seriously, and bravely.
Are you majoring or minoring in any additional subjects? How do they complement your study of philosophy?
I’m pursuing a double major, with my other subject being mathematics, and I am considering adding a minor in creative writing. How do mathematics and philosophy go together? My “rehearsed” answer to that question goes something like: Both disciplines are defined by the same type of rigorous rational inquiry. But as I’ve studied them, I’ve found that they complement each other in a very concrete way: I like to study logic. Logic is math and philosophy.
What are your plans after college?
Still to be determined. I am considering applying to philosophy PhD programs and law schools.
Internships
This past summer, I was a Research and Design Intern at 10story. I designed and helped develop print-and-play games to teach and drill math standards to 3rd and 4th graders.
RSOs
Spicy Clamato Improv (Vice President)
What You Will Shakespeare Company
Penny Dreadful Players
Awards
I am a Stamps Scholar, a James Scholar, a National Merit Scholar, and a member of the Campus Honors Program.