Philosophy Alumni
The SIUE Department of Philosophy would like to hear from you! Feel free to contact us with your updated information.
Our alumni go on to many career paths and life pursuits. These include careers in education, law, business, healthcare, religiously-affiliated areas, social and community services, government and politics, and communications.
Alumni Spotlight
Garner Perigo
In what year did you graduate?
2019
What have you been up to in the time since graduation?
In December of 2020 my grandfather, with whom I was very close, succumbed to complications from Coronavirus. He hadn’t yet fully retired and often spoke of some of the plans he had for once they were able to move away from the area. My grandparents owned a local ice cream store for many years and a recent attempt to sell had fallen through due to the buyer being unable to secure the necessary funding to close the deal. Before his death, we discussed my wife and I purchasing the business and had set a tentative timeline of early 2025. My wife and I were to continue working in the interim and save up a down payment but when tragedy struck, my Grandma wanted out ASAP. So, we took over the day to day of the operation in the 2021 season and then officially purchased the business at the beginning of 2022. While this had been a long-time dream of mine finally realized, it was bittersweet due to the circumstances.
I had also struggled since adolescence with a slew of maladies including Complex PTSD, Anxiety, and undiagnosed neuro atypicalities; which had plagued me to varying degrees and made day to day tasks quite difficult at times. I have recently undergone a series of clinically monitored psychedelic therapy and the results have been nothing short of miraculous. While the details would distract from the larger point, suffice it to say that the therapy has been the answer I needed to let go over bad habits I had developed to cope with my difficult circumstances, and to start developing positive habits that have assisted in essentially automating certain aspects of life that I use to find rather challenging. I am of course not a medical professional and would only say in terms of advice on this matter that if you are interested in finding out more you should consult with your primary care physician and dig into the growing body of research on the subject.
How has the study of Philosophy benefited you?
The question “How has Philosophy not benefited me?” would likely be a much shorter answer, but I will strive to be brief. I began studying religion and philosophy seriously at the age of 16. Taking the time to carefully research difficult puzzles, think through them, and being committed to the notion that “None of my beliefs are sacred, all my beliefs can be changed if presented with a compelling argument and when possible sufficient evidence” is no easy way to conduct one’s self. I was surprised to learn that it’s such a departure from “normal” living that I have faced some less than stellar attitudes over the years that have ranged from confusion to resentment due to my refusal to take things at face value or to use an example that has been a regular occurrence, to accept an appeal to authority as a basis for strengthening an argument. I have always been a sucker for Greek Philosophy and in particular the Socratic Method which unsurprising is usually met with groans and frustration.
That all being said, I wouldn’t change anything. While I yearn for peaceful coexistence in social settings as much as anyone else, I am willing to cast myself in the role of devil’s advocate (even to the point of a social relationship taking collateral damage) because of my commitment to seeking the truth and my desire that all who encounter me might take the time to think a little more carefully about something in the future. For me being a philosopher is no mere vocation or field of study, it is a lifestyle. There are many ways in which the philosophical lifestyle can be made manifest, but its essence is a deep and abiding commitment to curiously seek the truth and to regularly engage in discourse about those subjects which are often left unspoken. I can honestly say that every concise aspect of my life has been enhanced from my philosophical education and incorporating the principles imparted from the program into all that I do.
What part or parts of the SIUE Philosophy Program do you appreciate most?
I could write a 10 or more-page paper to answer this question, in no small part due to all the writing the program demands from its majors. While my writing is far from excellent, the program forced rapid and real improvement in order to effectively engage with the courses. As tedious and frustrating as it can be to have a large amount of research to do on a question that one may not find particularly compelling, it taught me how much I didn’t know what I didn’t know about various subjects until I dove into the extensive body of works dedicated to a particular question. That revelation alone would be worth a royal ransom, but that is only the tip of the iceberg. The staff were, and continue to be, phenomenal. They are some of the most honest, hardworking, and consummately professional people I have ever had the pleasure of interacting with in my life. First I would like to thank Rhonda from my first stint in the department and then Tori from when I finally returned to graduate. Support staff in any department or business are some of the hardest working unsung heroes out there but these two are on a whole different level. They not only complete their work with the same level of professionalism that is shared throughout the entire department but their kindness is boundless and their willingness to take a few moments to talk or share an encouraging sentiment was always appreciated.
Dr. Lueck was careful to always answer questions and present his lectures in such a way as to avoid baking his personal opinions into them. This feature of his personality and his overall approach to education had me instantly sold. His willingness to take the time to answer all the crazy questions my brain could conjure up led to me taking more classes with him than any other faculty member in the department. He also provided me with several crucial sources to consider for use in my senior assignment, thank you for everything you do.
Dr. Reiheld was my point of contact while organizing the Philosophy Undergraduate Conference. Having someone believe in me and point me in the right direction when I got stuck was greatly appreciated. The fact that I was given the freedom to operate as independently as I could manage led to substantial personal growth and for that I will be forever grateful.
Dr. Crane was the department chair for most of my tenure at SIUE. The classes I took with her were both the toughest in the department and I think I earned the lowest scores from those classes compared to others that I actively tried in. Her assistance during the undergrad conference and always being willing to listen to whatever new idea I had haunting me did not go unnoticed. Thank you for all the great work you have done for the department!
Dr. Cashen was the facilitator for my senior seminar. He did a wonderful job of holding space and keeping the conversation compelling while also giving us the freedom to go a little off the rails from time to time if a conversational detour seemed like it was going to bear fruit and contribute to the students’ overall growth. Without mentioning specifics, he once directed a minor faux pas towards a student but quickly and publicly corrected it. I mention this not to tarnish his character, the opposite in fact, as the saying goes “to err is human” but to then own the mistake and correct it truly was approaching the divine. I will forever respect you for what you did that night, you inspired me to become a better version of myself, one who has the courage to own my mistakes and to correct them when I am made aware of them, thank you!
Dr. Larkin, what is there to say about Skip but that it has been a wild ride. From first meeting you teaching metaphysics to working on independent study projects with you, your mentorship was crucial to me getting through my studies when I wanted to just give up. You treated me like an adult and never condescended to me or made me feel like less than another person you were exploring a puzzle with. Your willingness to teach me advanced logic solo, in your spare time was so humbling and I will cherish that experience forever. Thanks again for being you!
