Department of Philosophy
The Department of Philosophy is part of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences and offers both a Major and a Minor in Philosophy.
The Department counts 21 full-time faculty members working in a variety of specialties, who are active scholars committed to undergraduate education. They share their expertise in a wide variety of philosophical schools, national traditions, historical periods, and specialized areas of philosophical work.
The curriculum is designed to provide students with a foundation in the history of philosophy and also to encourage students to pursue work in their own areas of interest. Formal coursework is only one part of the Philosophy student's education. Since inquiry and study are most fruitful when conducted in a vital community of fellow scholars, the Department is committed to offering a number of excellent learning opportunities that go beyond traditional classroom structures.
Office Hours
Faculty Office Hours Winter 2025
Last Name | First Name | Office Hours | Office | Action | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Vessey | David | Mon./Wed./Fri. 12:00 PM-1:30 PM & by appointment | B3 201 MAK | vesseyd@gvsu.edu | View |
Uglietta | John | Tues./Thurs. 11:15 AM-12:15 PM or by appointment | B3 209 MAK | ugliettj@gvsu.edu | View |
Spear | Andrew | Tues./Thurs. 2:00 PM-3:00 PM & by appointment | B3 213 MAK | speara@gvsu.edu | View |
Shang | Geling | Tues./Thurs. 1:00 PM-2:30 PM | B3 208 MAK | shangg@gvsu.edu | View |
Pestana | Mark | Tues./Thurs. 1:00 PM-5:00 PM | B3 202 MAK | pestanam@gvsu.edu | View |
Pelayo | Areins | Wed. 1:00 PM-4:00 PM | B3 212 MAK | pelayoa@gvsu.edu | View |
Parker | Kelly | Mon./Wed. 3:00 PM-4:00 PM & Tues. 1:00 PM-2:00 PM (all hours can be in-person or via Zoom) | B3 200 MAK | parkerk@gvsu.edu | View |
Meyerson | Noah | Mon. 12:00 PM-2:00 PM, Tues. 2:30 PM-4:30 PM & by appontment | B3 229 MAK | meyernoa@gvsu.edu | View |
Marom | Itai | Wed. 12:00 PM-2:00 PM | B3 227 MAK | maromi@gvsu.edu | View |
Marini | Daniela | Wed. 3:30 PM-4:30 PM or by appointment (digitally) | 237 LOH | marinid@gvsu.edu | View |
Loeffler | Ronald | Thurs. 4:00 PM-5:00 PM or by appointment | B3 206 MAK | loeffler@gvsu.edu | View |
LaGuardia-LoBianco | Alycia | Mon./Wed. 1:00 PM-1:30 PM, Fri. 1:00 PM-2:00 PM & by appointment | B3 205 MAK | laguarda@gvsu.edu | View |
Killoren | David | Mon./Wed./Fri. 11:00 AM-12:00 PM | B3 225 MAK | killored@gvsu.edu | View |
Hogg | Charles (Robb) | Tues./Thurs. 1:00 PM-2:00 PM | B3 219 MAK | hoggc@gvsu.edu | View |
Harr | Quinn | Tues./Thurs. 11:30 AM-12:45 PM & 2:30 PM-3:45 PM | B3 231 MAK | harrq@gvsu.edu | View |
Greenman | Craig | Tues. 3:00 PM-4:00 PM, Wed. 2:00 PM-3:00 PM & by appointment | B3 204 MAK | greenmcr@gvsu.edu | View |
Cimitile | Maria | Mon. 1:00 PM-3:00 PM & by appointment (in person & virtual) | 132 NMH | cimitilm@gvsu.edu | View |
Castelao-Lawless | Teresa | No set office hours. ONLY BY APPOINTMENT | B3 207 MAK | castelat@gvsu.edu | View |
Byrnes | Jeffrey | Mon. 12:00 PM-1:30 PM or by appointment | B3 217 MAK | byrnesj@gvsu.edu | View |
August | John | Mon./Wed. 2:00 PM-3:00 PM (office) & Fri. 3:00 PM-5:00 PM (remote) | B3 215 MAK | augustj@gvsu.edu | View |
Articles/Interviews
Professor Judy Whipps is featured on the Society for the Advancement of American Philosophy’s homepage in their “I am an American philosopher” interview series. Read the whole interview here (https://american-philosophy.org/i-am-an-american-philosopher-interview-series/i-am-an-american-philosopher-judy-whipps/)

Professor Judy Whipps
Recent Happenings For GVSU Philosophy

GVSU philosophers in the world: Professors. Wenhui Xie and Andrew Spear at the world Congress of philosophy in Rome, August 2024. Professors Xie and Spear both presented their research, attended other sessions at the conference, and spent some time one evening checking out the architecture of Rome.
Upcoming Events

Celebrating the Examined Life
End of Year Philosophy Gathering for All Students of Philosophy & Recognition Symposium for Graduating Philosophy Majors
Friday, April 18 at 3:00 PM in Mackinac Hall BLL-110
Join your Philosophy Professors and fellow Students of Philosophy for a gathering to celebrate the study of philosophy and the life of the mind, and to recognize and celebrate the accomplishments of students completing their university studies in philosophy this year at GVSU. All students of philosophy, as well as faculty and alumni are welcome and encouraged to attend!
The winner of this year's Dewey J. Hoitenga Essay Prize Contest will also be announced.
Contact Professor Andrew Spear (speara@gvsu.edu) with any questions.
Also, if you are a *graduating senior* with a philosophy major and have not been contacted by Professor Spear, please get in touch with him about whether or not you will be at the event.
Past Events


Majors Fair
BMS and Philosophy Major Jonathan McCabe and Prof. of Philosophy Andrew Spear want YOU to major in Philosophy!
