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News & Events

New Department Chair

Dr. Andy Fiala has been elected by the faculty to the position of Department Chair.

Voicing Ideas Essay Contest

The Department of Philosophy hosted a student conference.  Check back for information about future submissions.

The California Undergraduate Philosophy Review goes Live!

The new student journal CUPR goes online with interesting and thought-provoking articles.   

Dr. Vince Biondo Named Fulbright Scholar

Dr. Vince Biondo has been named a Fulbright Scholar to the United Kingdom.  He will be investigating interfaith processes & practices.  The Department of Philosophy is profoundly proud of this recognition.

Dr. Alicia Hall joins the CSUF Faculty

Dr. Alicia Hall has joined the Philosophy faculty at Fresno State.  Dr. Hall comes to Fresno from the University of Minnesota with an area of expertise in Ethics. The Department of Philosophy is excited to welcome her to the campus.

Erik Cuadros Named Dean's Medalist

Mr. Cuadros was nominated for the undergraduate Dean's Medalist.  Erik was selected because he strives to make the local community a better place for its citizenry. Erik has served as a member of the El Dorado Park Community Revitalization Board and as an assistant to the Special Olympics. For the Special Olympics, Erick assists athletes, sets up races and events and coordinates officials, teams and athletes.

Dr. Robert Maldonado recognized by the national Hispanic Summer Program

The national Hispanic Summer Program recognized Dr. Robert Maldonado with the awarding of the Francisco Garcia-Treto Professorship in Biblical Studies, for "oustanding contributions to biblical studies".

McDonald Named Dean's Medalist

Joshua McDonald, the Department of Philosophy Dean's Medallist Nominee was awarded the Dean's Medal for the Division of Student Services.  Josh graduates with a perfect 4.0 GPA with a triple major (including Philosophy) and has matriculated into a doctoral program in Philosophy at Boston University.

The Spring 2008 Philosophy Majors Newsletter is now available.

Click here for a copy.

2007-08 Philosophy Department Colloquium Series

The philosophy department revived its colloquium series with six events in AY 2007-2008.  The following were its presentations

Barbara LaBossiere

"The Virtues of Doing it the Right Way"

(Part of the Ethics Center Fall 2007 Lecture Series)

UBC Peters Auditorium, Wed. Nov. 7, 12 PM

Michael P. Wolf

"I'm Here Now: The Pragmatic Significance of Perspective"

USU 311, Thurs. Nov. 29, 3:00 PM

Vincent Biondo

"The Academic Study of Religion"

USU 311, Thurs. Jan. 24, 3:30 PM

Andrew Fiala

"Atheism or Theism: What's the Use?"

ED 187 , Thurs. Feb. 7, 3:30 PM

Leonard Olson

"Moral Responsibility"

USU 311, Thurs. Feb. 21,  3:30 PM

Chunghyoung Lee

"Philosophy of Science: Presentism and Relativity"

USU 310, Thurs. Mar. 6, 3:30 PM

Details are subject to change; please check back as the dates approach.

2006-07 College of Arts & Humanities Dean's Medalist Michael Edward Olsen, Jr.

Michael Olsen, Dean Vida Samiian, and Associate Dean Jose DiazMichael Olsen has a double major in philosophy (pre-law option and in psychology.)  He is a member of the Smittcamp Honors Program and recipient of the Floyd Burks, Liliane D. Wells, and the Vivian I. Pickford memorial scholarships.  He carries a perfect 4.0 GPA in over 150 units of college courses.  His paper on philosopher Richard Rorty’s epistemology was awarded a Juliana M. Bissett Philosophy scholarship and was published in our undergraduate philosophy journal Voicing Ideas.  He has also participated in sponsored research in the College of Mathematics and Science.  He served as President of the CSUF Recycling Club and volunteered with the  Big Brothers, March of Dimes, Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, and the International student Volunteers conservation group.  He was elected to the Golden Key Honor Society.  He also tutors students at Hanford Union High School in math and science.  He served as an intern at the Central California Legal Services, helping to clear the name and secure the liberty of a client who was a victim of mistaken identity. 

Department Chair Scott Moore speaks for the entire department when he writes: “Truly Michael is an exceptional individual with a principled conscience for social justice.”

More about the Dean's Medalists is available at FresnoStateNews.com.