Buffalo State Philosophy Colloquia celebrates twenty years of intellectual impact

Over the past two decades, the Buffalo State Philosophy Departmenthas conducted colloquia, a lecture series in which faculty present their work, as well as utilizing an integrated model of student and faculty scholarship. In student colloquia, students present their own original work; work closely with faculty mentors to prepare presentations; and serve as commentators on other students' papers-with the rare opportunity to act as commentators on faculty research.

"The Philosophy Department is driven by the belief that there is far more to an education than mere grades on a transcript, and it has dedicated itself to creating an intellectual community of students and faculty that allows that education to flourish," said Jason Grinnell, philosophy professor and chair of the Government, Planning, and Philosophy Department. "The colloquium series has been the heart of that effort. It has allowed colleagues to support each other's scholarship, allowed faculty to model the intellectual process of presenting work and responding professionally and productively to criticism, and given students a chance to collaborate with faculty and to practice clarifying and defending their own ideas."

Since spring 2006 when the department first initiated a faculty-student colloquium, the department has hosted over 130 sessions featuring student papers or student commentators 111 times; philosophy faculty have presented 58 papers, with an additional 8 guest faculty talks from across disciplines; and the department has hosted 27 public philosophy lectures, open to both the campus community and the public. Colloquia are consistently well attended, with at least 25 faculty and students attending each session, and well over 50 attendees at each public lecture. It is estimated that at least 4,200 people have been directly engaged by the series over the past 20 years, demonstrating the philosophy program's reach and intellectual impact. Students have used feedback gathered through colloquium presentations to polish work and prepare it for undergraduate conferences and publication.

"This series provides a friendly, supportive environment for the presenter to get constructive feedback and for the audience to learn something new about a field of philosophy," said Leigh Duffy, associate professor of philosophy and regular presenter and student mentor. "It is an excellent opportunity for students to see what academics do outside of the classroom and to participate in that type of scholarship."

"This helps students to develop presentation and critical thinking skills that are crucial in navigating today's complex world," added philosophy professor Kimberly Blessing. "Participating in such events additionally looks impressive on graduate school applications, resumes, and letters of recommendation, not to mention it's a valuable learning experience and growth opportunity."

Students chosen to participate follow preparation guidelines, including having their paper reviewed by a faculty mentor before presenting. During the colloquium, faculty or student presenter reads the paper and a different selected student discussant then offers a 10-minute response aimed at improving the paper and prompting discussion. The presenter is afforded a 10-minute reply, after which the chair opens the floor for a moderated general discussion. Explained Blessing, "Our strict rule is that students are allowed to ask questions before any faculty members can weigh in."

The 20th anniversary series began on March 2 with the well-attended presentation "A New Approach to Mathematical Humanism," by Julian Cole, philosophy professor and interim associate dean of the School of Arts and Sciences. This session featured a student commentor, Glasha Zinenko, a senior philosophy major.

"Walking into a philosophy colloquia is like walking into Narnia-a secret, huge world of philosophy," Zinenko said. "I hear professors talk philosophy to each other and ask each other questions I would never think of. Usually, college is about learning what others already know, but the colloquia are about going to the very brink of knowledge and looking beyond. It was breathtaking to make my first wobbly steps in the Narnia of philosophy [as a student commentator]. Turns out, numbers are real, objective, and, somehow, also a social construct. Dr. Cole came up with a theory that explains how that works. Without philosophy, this beautiful world of exploration would stay hidden from students."

Later in the semester, Carly Lua Pershyn, an alumna of the philosophy program and 2018 recipient of the SUNY Chancellor's Award for Student Excellence, will return to the colloquia for her presentation, "What is Intimacy: Redefining Intimacy in our Lives." In May, Pershyn will defend her doctoral dissertation in Counseling and Student Psychology from University at Buffalo, where she earned two master's degrees, one in psychology and philosophy and a second in educational studies. Pershyn is currently employed at Buffalo State as the first paid psychology intern in the Counseling Center, where she has a full roster of clients and is already negotiating lucrative offers for post-doctoral work in private practice.

"I was thrilled to be invited back to my 'home base,'" Pershyn said. "It was my studies in philosophy that prepared me for graduate work, by teaching me 'how to think,' as Dr. Blessing would put it, and setting me apart in my field. It was my professors at Buffalo State who inspired my passion for philosophy and stoked that spark into an essential part of who I am as a psychologist and a woman now. Philosophy is how I engage with the world, whether its finding creative solutions, understanding language, or critical thinking. My theoretical orientation as a psychologist is built on examined values and world views I engaged with through studying philosophy. I can't imagine an education-or who I would be-without it."

Below is a full schedule of remaining colloquia in the spring 2026 series. All events are free and open to the public. For more information, contact Kimberly Blessing ([email protected]).

"When 'I'm Sorry' Isn't Enough: Trump's Unjust Apology"
John Torrey, PhD, Associate Professor of Philosophy
Tuesday, March 17, 12:15-1:15 p.m.
Rockwell Hall 204

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"What is Intimacy: Redefining Intimacy in our Lives"
Carly Lua Perhsyn, ABD, Counseling Psychology (SUNY Buffalo)
Thursday, April 2, 12:15-1:15 p.m.
Cleveland Hall 418

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"Ethical Participation in Military Service"
Jessica Miller, senior, philosophy and anthropology double major
Monday, April 6, 3:00-5:00 p.m.
Cleveland Hall 418

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"Freedom To; Freedom From: Modern Liberty and Democracy"
Patrick McGovern, PhD., Professor of Political Science
Thursday, April 23, 12:15-1:15 p.m.
Cleveland Hall 418

Photo by Fernando Santander.