Philosophy Essay Prize

Bertrand Russell (1872-1970)*

The John Vigorito and Robert Kirkpatrick Essay Prizes in Philosophy were established in the Fall 2001/Spring 2002 school year in honor of two former UL Lafayette Philosophy Professors. The essay competition is open to any UL Lafayette undergraduate student who has taken a philosophy class and has either (a) received an "A" on a term paper completed for the class or (b) had his or her paper nominated for the prize by the course professor. Entrants are limited to papers completed for a course taken in the previous year. There are two prizes: one for courses at the 100 and 200 level, and another for courses at the 300 and 400 level. The award consists of a certificate, cash and assorted prize(s). The winners will be awarded the prize and read their papers at a special Philosophy Club meeting/awards ceremony.

For more information, please contact Dr. Istvan Berkeley at istvan@louisiana.edu.

Prize Winners - 2007

The John Vigorito Essay Prize in Philosophy (100/200 Level Courses):
     "The Irrationality of Believing That God Exists" by Angelle Mouton

The Robert Kirkpatrick Essay Prize in Philosophy (300/400 Level Courses):
     "Predators and Categorization Predicted in an Artificial Neural Network with Richard Forsyth's Zoo Database" by   
     Damon McGregor

Photos from the 2007 Essay Prize Awards

Angelle & Keith	Angelle reads her essay	Damon and Keith	Damon reads his essay

(click on the thumbnail for the full-sized picture)

Prize Winners - 2006

The John Vigorito Essay Prize in Philosophy (100/200 Level Courses):
     "Euthanasia" by Nicholas Baudoin

The Robert Kirkpatrick Essay Prize in Philosophy (300/400 Level Courses):
     "What Is Consciousness?" by Kevin Brown

Photos from the 2006 Essay Prize Awards

David, Keith and Nicholas	Nicholas reads his essay	David, Keith and Kevin

(click on the thumbnail for the full-sized picture)

Prize Winners - 2005

The John Vigorito Essay Prize in Philosophy (100/200 Level Courses):
     "The Role of Women in Islam and Islamic Sufism" by James Matthew Dupree

The Robert Kirkpatrick Essay Prize in Philosophy (300/400 Level Courses):
     "The Limits of the Eternal Recurrence as an Ethical Guide" by Micah Dugas

Ish & James	James receives prizes	James responds to question	Ish & Micah	Micah receives prizes	Micah responds to question

Prize Winners - 2004

The John Vigorito Essay Prize in Philosophy (100/200 Level Courses):
     "In Pursuit of an Unknown Goal" by Amanda Medus

The Robert Kirkpatrick Essay Prize in Philosophy (300/400 Level Courses):
     "Liberty and the State" by Jacqueline Auld
 
 

Amanda & Ish	Amanda & Prizes	Jackie & Ish	Keith

(click on the thumbnail for the full-sized picture)
Photos courtesy of Dr. Barbara Conner.

Prize Winners - 2003

The John Vigorito Essay Prize in Philosophy (100/200 Level Courses):
     "Do We Have Freedom of the Will?" by Jon Perkins

The Robert Kirkpatrick Essay Prize in Philosophy (300/400 Level Courses):
     "Aristotle's Matter, Form, Change, and Cause" by Michael Schnaars
 
 
 

Photos from the 2003 Essay Prize Awards:

distinguished visitors	Dean Barry & Mike	Dr. Vigorito & Jon	Ish & Mike	attendees

Prize Winners - 2002

The John Vigorito Essay Prize in Philosophy (100/200 Level Courses):
     "Drugs in the Workplace" by Kally Viator

The Robert Kirkpatrick Essay Prize in Philosophy (300/400 Level Courses):
     "Can We Build A Person?" by Katherine Karavatakis
 
 

Photos from the 2002 Essay Prize Awards:

distinguished visitors	Kally	Katherine	attendees	Dr. Kirkpatrick

* Photo courtesy of The Bertrand Russell Archives at McMaster University.

©  Copyright 2001 by the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, Philosophy Department, P.O. Box 43770, Lafayette, LA  70504-3770 Telephone:  337-482-5401