Tracy Accepts 3 Year Scholarship for Philosophy Doctorate Degree

Tracy Accepts 3 Year Scholarship for Philosophy Doctorate Degree

After obtaining a Master’s degree in Sacred Theology from Sacred Heart Seminary and a Master’s degree in philosophy this August from Marquette University, I have been offered (and have accepted) a three year scholarship to obtain my doctorate degree in philosophy at Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München.

Who/what organization/entity recognized the achievement?

I have been offered the scholarship through the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung which is given to students with not only strong academic abilities and also proven leadership skills in Christian service.

3) How did homeschooling help you achieve your goal:
Homeschooling taught me important academic skills such as discipline, organization and time management. It gave me the opportunity to expand upon certain areas of my studies which I was interested in. My first exposure to philosophy was through Seton Home Study. There are not many high schools that teach philosophy! I went on to pursue philosophy and theology in college, graduate school and now doctorate studies. Seton also gave me a strong foundation in academic writing and critical thinking, skills I still use today in my research and studies.

What are your interests?

My main research interests are medieval philosophy, especially the philosophy of Thomas Aquinas. I am particularly interested in Thomas Aquinas’s account of human happiness and beatitude and how he argues that God is the final end of the human person.

What are you inspired to do with your life?

I am inspired to integrate both academic teaching and Christian service in my life’s work. I love teaching. I gave a couple of guest lectures this year to undergraduates at my university and it was an amazing experience to interact with the students and be instrumental in their college formation and education. Service is also very important to me. When I was homeschooled I had the opportunity to spend time during the week volunteering in my community and at my parish church. These values were instilled within me and I am always eager to get involved and help lead others to Christ.

What are your favorite subjects?

My favorite subjects are philosophy and theology! John Paul II writes in Fides et Ratio, “Faith and reason are like two wings on which the human spirit rises to the contemplation of truth; and God has placed in the human heart a desire to know the truth—in a word, to know himself—so that, by knowing and loving God, men and women may also come to the fullness of truth about themselves.” I love the dialogue of both philosophy and theology. These subjects help us to search for what is beautiful, good and true.

This photo was taken at Sacred Heart Major Seminary in Detroit, MI after I successfully defended my master’s thesis in theology.