Michael Downs started his education in philosophy in a local bookstore.
"I was 21 and had so many questions that I was not really getting a lot of answers to," he said. "So, I sat down and started reading just about everything I could find."
As a voracious reader he because curious about life, religion and many of the same questions that have bothered the likes of Kierkergaard, Kant and Sarte. In a few short years he then found himself taking evening classes at MCC-Longview following the logic lessons and ethics teaching of instructor Doug Washer.
With less than two years of formal philosophy education under his belt, though, Downs has been invited to attend the 21st Annual Undergraduate Philosophy and Religion Conference held at Truman State University - a conference that invites some of the brightest minds from around the region.
Students, like Downs, will present some of their published work and then take questions from fellow students and philosophy professors from around the state.
"I am extremely pleased to have been selected especially since everyone else is from a university of some kind," Downs said.
Out of 15 students hand-selected from around the state, Downs is the only one from a community college.
That, Washer says, not only speaks to the accomplishment of MCC-Longview, but also to the success of Downs.
"He really is one of those students that you hope for your entire career. Someone you can really call a protege," Washer said.
Downs will head to Truman State this weekend. Once graduating from MCC-Longview, Downs says he hopes to them attend UMKC and eventually get a Doctorate in philosophy.
"If I can't teach philosophy one day, then I don't know what I will do," he said.
Congratulations to Michael, and thanks to Doug Washer for his mentorship of students.
ReplyDeleteMikey is an extremely talented philosopher. He was born to do this kind of work!--Doug Washer
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