Will Delise came to King’s from Concord, Massachusetts. He dove head first into classics after FYP, then was lured into philosophy. Now he has a Combined Honours in Classics and Philosophy and plans to continue his studies in academic philosophy.
What drew you to King’s originally?
I was looking for a couple of things, namely a community that would teach me lessons I could not find elsewhere, and a program that would give me the kind of panoramic view of the arts that really lets you choose, and choose well, what you should be spending your time studying. I am eternally grateful to our community for giving me both of these and more.
What program are you graduating from, and what inspired you to pursue that program?
I did a Bachelor of Arts. I started in classics, focusing mainly on language acquisition, and found a home in the department—I cannot recommend the faculty enough. Later in my degree, I fell back into the philosophy department and became inseparably involved. Much can be said about the crossover of subjects, both for an appreciation of ancient philosophy and history, but also because learning Latin and Greek does wonders for your ability to reason.
Was there a course, professor, reading requirement or experience that has had a lasting impact on you?
Speaking with specificity to King’s, there was a famous moment in our Foundation Year Program (FYP) during the Moses Maimonides lecture where Dr. Daniel Brandes commanded us: “Put down your pencils and just listen.” Lightning, to use the theologian’s language, flashed for many of us in those final minutes. Elsewhere, I greatly endorse Dr. Peter O’Brien’s course on Ammianus Marcellinus in classics and Dr. Duncan MacIntosh’s course on rational decision in philosophy for the relevant audiences.
What item got the most use during your degree (ex: headphones, water bottle, a specific hoodie?)
I have a black fountain pen that accompanied me through most of my time memorizing paradigms for languages and doing translations. Highly recommended are also the cheap yellow paper pads from the Dalhousie bookstore—they cost less than bus fare.
Do you do your best work at night or in the morning?
My opinion is that rote work and readings are for the mornings, while outlining, drafting and redrafting papers is best done in the afternoon. But, where necessary, the King’s library (or campus) is the best place to do night work, as opposed to your bedroom.
If you could relive one day from your time at King’s, what day would it be and why?
Choosing a particular day would be a disservice to all other great days, I think. Any given day spent with good people and in good places here is totally worth reliving. Plenty of both to go around, especially if you search for it.
What’s one thing from your time at King’s that you’re especially proud of?
My friends will make fun of me if I toot my own horn too much: I’m especially proud of the community. We have gone through some tough times and I have seen incredible strength and wisdom from my friends and colleagues, people who are always improving themselves and lifting each other up. The folks I know here are what’s worth being proud of.
Thinking back to who you were when you received your acceptance letter, what would you tell them?
Start reading (tolle lege, tolle lege).
As Encaenia approaches, do you have any insights you’d like to share with incoming students?
If you are thinking of doing FYP (and you should, all things considered), I suggest figuring out how you read. FYP is a lot of reading, all the time, and you will be more or less interested in a given text. Figuring out how to get something out of everything, and a lot out of a little, will get you very far. Speak to everyone about what interests you, especially your colleagues and your professors. And, have fun: King’s is a self-selecting community. The people here tend to want to be here, and the reasons why are something we tend to have in common. Welcome!
Where do you hope your degree takes you next?
I see myself continuing in academic philosophy (against my remunerative interests) and it is a path I hope to take to its logical conclusion (stealing a Dalhousie/Kings prof’s job).
