Meet Our Newest Board Member, Jo Young!

We are delighted to welcome the newest addition to our Board, Jo Young. A vivacious learner who can bring the fun (and spice!) to just about any situation, Jo is a regular participant in Merlin activities. Creative and hard-working, Jo has a background that will make your head spin. It’s so diverse! We are fortunate to have her on our team and to be working with her to make a positive impact in our community! Learn more about Jo here!

white and black i love you print on gray concrete wall
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Merlin Awarded $1,250 Grant from PLATO for “Building Community through Laughter” Project

GRANT AWARD for public philosophy “BUILDING COMMUNITY THROUGH LAUGHTER” project An interactive public philosophy program with philosopher and comedian, Rodney Norman, that explores the relationship between comedy, community, and the good life. We are so excited about this project and to have the support of The Philosophy Learning & Teaching Organization. Thank you so much,…

book lot on black wooden shelf

Philosophy Shorts: the Virtues of the student

What are the qualities of an excellent student? Or, as ancient Greek philosophers would put it, what are the virtues, or excellences, which belong to students in general, and especially to students of philosophy? In this evening’s Zoom program led by community philosopher David Nowakowski we examined some passages on this theme, written by thinkers in the Hellenistic philosophy tradition, and engaged in lively conversation about the goals and methods of education, how virtues correspond, and how these apply in our lives today. Access resources here!

Meet Our 2026-2027 Student Scholar Fellow Jess Holmes
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Meet Our 2026-2027 Student Scholar Fellow Jess Holmes

STUDENT SCHOLAR FELLOW U of M PHILOSOPHY GRADUATE STUDENT AWARDED 2026-2027 FELLOWSHIP We are delighted to announce and introduce you to our 2026-2027 Student Scholar Fellow, Jess Holmes. Over the next year, Jess will be assisting us with various philosophy in the community projects, including our 2026 Art as Transformation & 2027 Community Hubs projects,…