Press Release/Newsletter Article for Publicity (January 23, 2012)

Our chair Gualtiero Piccinini asked me to post this.

PHILOSOPHY SALON MARKS REBIRTH OF PHILOSOPHY DEPARTMENT

St. Louis, Missouri) The Philosophy Department at the University of Missouri-St. Louis is experiencing a rebirth. UMSL offers both undergraduate and graduate degrees in philosophy and has recruited distinguished faculty from here and abroad to demonstrate the relevance of philosophy in contemporary society.

As a 2012 initiative, worthy of the name, the Philosophy Department hosted a 'salon' on the evening of January 20th showcasing the talents of one of his department's brightest stars, Professor Berit Brogaard. Guests arrived at 7:00 p.m. at the World's Fair-era home of Thomas (an alum of the Philosophy M.A.) and Christine Knoten in Parkview, St. Louis County. Chancellor Thomas George mingled with the Honorable Vincent Schoemehl and other guests. In a living room lighted by candelabra and to the muffled sound of clinking champagne flutes, Professor Brogaard wowed her audience of twenty-two with a formal presentation titled: The Superhuman Mind. Tall, elegant and with command of her material, this native of Copenhagen, Denmark left the ladies thinking that she had integrated the study of philosophy into contemporary society. She left not a few of the gentleman in her audience thinking, with homage to Shakespeare, "O, she doth teach the torches to burn bright!"

The Department Chair, Dr. Gualtiero Piccinini, congratulated Professor Brogaard for her excellent presentation and as a humble token of appreciation made her a present of a box of chocolates. He then announced that the catered buffet would be served forthwith in the dining room.

Chief among Philosophy student volunteers on hand was Krista Hyde, a graduate teaching assistant who aspires to a career teaching philosophy in either the traditional classroom or in venues such as this salon.

Overheard from Professor Eric Wieland during the champagne reception was the Latin accolade:"Tempum bonum habebatur ab omnibus." to which Professor Andrew Black of Great Britain nodded: "So say we all!"