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When the three children of legendary University of Dallas Professor of English John E. Alvis, BA ’66 MA ’69 PhD ’73, considered how to honor and perpetuate their father’s legacy at UD, they knew it would need to involve the Braniff Graduate School of Liberal Arts Institute of Philosophic Studies, to which Alvis had been devoted.

The son of Department Chair and Associate Professor of Philosophy Matthew Walz, Ph.D., MBA ’20, Damien Walz, BA ’22, grew up around UD and fell in love with its liberal arts curriculum. The decision to come to UD was a relatively straightforward one, but which major to pursue was not: Walz changed his mind approximately seven times before settling on politics.

Catherine Schwenk, BA ’22, intended to double major in psychology and philosophy. However, after taking Principles of American Politics in the fall of her freshman year, she knew that politics was what she really was meant to study.

Joseph Galasso, BS ’22, initially considered other science majors at UD but ultimately decided on biology; the program allowed him to pursue his interests beyond the classroom.

Thomas Thompson, BA ’22, had planned to go to the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, Minnesota, where one of the professors astounded him “with his piercing intellect and charismatic lecture.” However, this professor was a UD alumnus who persuaded Thompson to look more closely at UD.