Flagler student paper selected as top of philosophy conference

ST. AUGUSTINE, FL (05/08/2013)(readMedia)-- A paper written by Flagler College senior Ashley Ryan was selected as the top paper at the Pop Culture and Philosophy Undergraduate Conference at Georgia Southern University and will be included in the GSU undergraduate journal, "The Indefinite Dyad."

The paper was also accepted into the regional Southern States Communication Association Undergraduate Honors Conference.

"Starting this research helped me realize what I want to do for my career. I want to write films that convey romance and love in a new way that will lead the mass culture to think critically about their lives and the myths they are living," said Ryan. "The fact that my paper was chosen to be presented not at one, but two conferences, and that audiences received and reacted so positively to my research, has given me the confidence that this is an issue that is one worth addressing."

Ryan's paper, "The Message of Platonic Myths and the Birth of a Modern Mythology," was written for a Metaphysics class taught by Associate Professor of Philosophy Hugh Marlowe, who lauded the paper as a great example of the kind of interdisciplinary work that is the hallmark of liberal education.

"Ashley showed great courage and initiative in finding these conferences and in submitting her work for outside review," said Marlowe of Ryan who is a double major in philosophy and communication. "As a student, she is an example of how the best of liberal arts and pre-professional programs complement each other at Flagler College."

___

Flagler College is an independent, four-year, comprehensive baccalaureate college located in St. Augustine, Fla. The college offers 24 majors, 29 minors and two pre-professional programs, the largest majors being business, education and communication. Small by intent, Flagler College has an enrollment of about 2,500 students, as well as a satellite campus at Tallahassee Community College in Tallahassee, Fla. U.S. News & World Report and The Princeton Review regularly feature Flagler as a college that offers quality education at a relatively low cost; tuition is $23,690, including room and board. A relatively young institution (founded in 1968), Flagler College is also noted for the historic beauty of its campus. The main building is Ponce de Leon Hall, built in 1887 as a luxury resort by Henry Flagler, who co-founded the Standard Oil Company with John D. Rockefeller. For more on Flagler College, visit www.flagler.edu.