Yohana Abughattas
Gloria Rock Prize and Kalish Prize Winner
“My next step is to apply to Ph.D. programs in philosophy this fall. I would love to professor one day. No matter what career I eventually find myself in, my philosophy education will push me to question workplace and social assumptions.”
Jordan Wallace-Wolf
UCLA and Departmental Distinguished Teaching Award Winner
“I approach philosophy with my students as an opportunity to renew my appreciation for enduring intellectual puzzles. This is not something I aim to do alone, at the front of the classroom. It is rather something that I fully accomplish only when I explain a particular issue with enough clarity and urgency that students feel moved to try put a response, with me and with their classmates. Invariably, if I have set the stage well, I am forced to have new thoughts and to improve answers throughout a class discussion. Trying to respond to student thinking in this way is exciting, and my excitement often spurs further interest and engagement from students. Keeping this reciprocal interest going plays a large role in my teaching.”
Virginia Foggo
Gloria Rock Prize Winner
“Studying philosophy has made me a far more logical and critical thinker. But, more importantly, I believe philosophy has made me a more open-minded thinker. Philosophy has taught me how to analyze situations from various perspectives, and has taught me that our understanding of the world is truly a matter of perspective. I am grateful to the department for the lesson, as I believe it will help me a great deal in my future endeavors.”
Sean Richarsdon
Kalish Prize Winner
“Keep philosophy social! It’s really easy to isolate yourself in your studies, but remember that there’s nothing more fun than a good philosophical discussion. Make sure to check out student groups like the Undergraduate Philosophy Club and Effective Altruism at UCLA for deep talks and lasting friendships.”
Hannah Hsieh
Kalish Prize Winner
“Philosophy courses have taught me how to analyze, develop, and formulate logical arguments from basic premises. Philosophy has helped me make knowledgeable decisions in and outside of the classroom through a careful and thorough examination of the consequences of various actions. Most important, it has trained me to keep an open mind and consider all possible arguments before coming to my own conclusion. In this way, I am able to better understand others’ thought processes and reasoning for their arguments.”
Jiahui Zhou
Kalish Prize Winner
“Though my college life is coming to an end, I am sure that the questions about life and the world, on which I spent meaningful and unforgettable time in philosophy classes, will continue to puzzle me and keep me thinking.”