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Cheshire always feels like home. I spent three years there, two as a student (2007-09) and one as a professor (2012-13). As a student, I enjoyed every course, but especially appreciated delving into the works of Homer, both translating them from Greek and understanding and assimilating them in the structured classical seminar course. As a professor, I taught World History, Physics, Geometry, Latin, and Greek, and I helped the college along in the Bachelor’s degree accreditation process. Even though I enjoyed teaching there, it was during that year that I discovered God was not calling me to continue on the path to the priesthood.
I began summer classes at a community college the day after I returned to my parents’ home in the southwest suburbs of Chicago, where I grew up. In the spring of 2014, I transferred to the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign as a Physics major. In May of 2016 I graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Physics, with a specialization in Astrophysics, and a second major in Philosophy.
From that it might seem that my humanities studies did nothing to contribute to this goal, but such an assumption would be utterly wrong. It was actually during a Physics class with Mr. Murphy in Cheshire that I discovered I had a knack for problem solving. Public speaking exercises and teaching in Cheshire built my confidence level and enabled me to take leadership roles in various student organizations. At times, I even tutored other students in Latin and Greek (as well as Physics, of course). One of the most important contributions, though, in my opinion, is how studying humanities has shaped my view of mankind and has motivated me to continue onwards towards my goals.
In the fall of 2016 I am beginning graduate school at the University of Idaho. I will be a Teaching Assistant for Astronomy and Physics courses, and will be working towards a Ph.D. in 4-6 years. Occasionally I give talks and write articles on my blog, josephskywalker.com, mostly about astronomy or issues of science and faith. I hope to make a larger and larger impact in both of these areas as time goes on.