Top Seniors Win Department Awards
The NC State Department of Philosophy and Religious Studies held a Student Awards Celebration on Zoom on the afternoon of March 11. The purpose of the event was to name the winners of awards to top seniors in philosophy and religious studies graduating during 2022 and to recognize and celebrate their academic achievements. Two award-winners were introduced by faculty members who had worked closely with them.
The Religious Studies Prize in Honor of Professor W. Curtis Fitzgerald goes to the outstanding senior majoring in religious studies. This year’s winner was Mac Hamilton, who was introduced by Mary Kathleen Cunningham, associate professor of religious studies. Mac, who is a member of Phi Beta Kappa, is graduating Summa Cum Laude in May 2022 with a B.A. in Religious Studies, a B.A. in Psychology with a Concentration in General Psychology and a Minor in Philosophy. After graduation, he hopes to attend a graduate program in a counseling at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary.
The Philosophy Prize in Honor of Professor Robert S. Bryan goes to the outstanding senior majoring in philosophy. This year’s winner was Aidan Farmer, who was introduced by Marina Bykova, professor of philosophy. Aidan, who is a member of Phi Beta Kappa, is graduating Summa Cum Laude in May 2022 with a B.A. in Philosophy and a B.A. in History, with Honors in History. Aidan is planning to take a gap year, after which he hopes to proceed to law school.
Asked how they have benefited from their departmental majors, here’s what our prizewinners said.
Mac: “The Religious Studies program at NC State was intellectually stimulating and allowed me to think critically about the diverse religions of the world in a constructive and open-minded environment.”
Aidan: “My time in the philosophy department has exposed me to a diverse range of challenging texts. The NC State department has helped me develop critical reading and writing skills and fostered a deep love of the philosophical tradition. After graduation, I plan on attending law school, where the skills taught by professors in philosophy will be put to use.”
