2025 Social Sciences PSD: Chase Curnow
Chase enjoys being deep in thought, perfect for a Philosophy major. He moved often as he was growing up and came to Cypress at a slightly later age than the average student, he says.
Here, he found a stable place where he could let his mind contemplate the big questions. He signed on with the Honors Program, became part of EOPS and Rising Scholars, and in a move that aligns perfectly with his passions, served as president of the Philosophy Club.
What he found most compelling was his connection with Philosophy instructor Jason Thibodeau. The two spent hours together contemplating philosophical topics, an experience Chase says he will forever cherish.
“I want to thank all of the clubs — advisors; presidents; boards; and members — for your collaborative efforts; as well as any and all departments and faculty involved in facilitating my success here at Cypress College. Little known to many, Cypress College has provided me reprieve.”
Please tell us about yourself. Where did you grow up? What are your interests? What is your story?
I am a bit of an unorthodox community college student relative to my peers. I am non-traditional in the sense that I am a bit older than my average classmate — hopefully to no detriment of theirs or my own. I grew up in the Southern California area, moving around a bit in my youth — parent to parent; place to place — Bellflower later becoming where I would call home.
I have always excelled athletically — football and baseball. I was a two-sport varsity letterman in high school and though, too, equipped with the necessary faculties to excel academically — this simply was not the case. Suffice it to say: my story is far from over.
What are you most passionate about? Why?
As the President of the Philosophy Club and a Philosophy major here at Cypress College, it would appear clear what rests atop my hierarchy of passions — cooking! All jokes aside, philosophy has been my passion for the past several years. I have found a particular affinity for ontology, philosophy of mind, and consciousness. If I value anything over everything — it is experience. Because… Experiences!
Why did you choose Cypress College?
I chose Cypress College for reasons that, even now, I cannot fully articulate — perhaps only intuit. Social diversion? Academic rebirth? What I can say with confidence: Cypress College has become more than a campus; more than an institution; more than a school — it became a kind of intellectual bolthole. A way out of… Retrospect affirmed intuition.
What have you been involved in at Cypress College? How has your path unfolded?
My time at Cypress College — particularly my final semester — has been teeming with activities. As alluded to previously, I am currently privileged to serve as president of the Philosophy Club: hosting preeminent philosophers from local universities, organizing interdisciplinary club collaborations, and participating in associated student events. Similarly, I am a member of both the EOPS and Rising Scholars programs. I have completed the Honors Program here at Cypress College whilst earning multiple associate degrees on the way.
An unfolding, linearly — inevitable; positive, though, in its trajectory — never could have been anticipated. Princeton, Cornell, Notre Dame, Berkeley — these are not the realization of dreams. Rather, the future augurs well; for some strange reason — they are now happening.
Share a memorable event or experience while you’ve been a Cypress College student.
The experience I have found most memorable thus far — while not the most glamorous, nor popularity-heightening — has been, in fact, rather quiet; simple; personal. It is the time I have spent in Professor Jason Thibodeau’s office — hours; days; weeks — wading through his intellect and insights. Entertaining my asseverations of absurd philosophical positions — his profundity does not dismiss; rather, challenges. Most valuable, though, is the simple recognition of feeling a transition: student — peer; faculty — friend. An experience I will forever cherish!
Who are the faculty and staff (in your major, an academic or other support program, etc.) who have helped you get where you are today?
They number many. In no particular order — and allow me to preface this with an apology to any faculty, staff, peers, or friends I fail to mention who have supported me in my academic endeavors: please know that my appreciation is unwavering. I have cast such a wide net of social support throughout Cypress College that to name them all would be equivalent to listing… well, I digress.
Please allow me to express my deepest gratitude to the following: Jason Thibodeau, Willis Heusser, Myev Rees, James Tapia, Armando Mendoza, Jaclyn Magginetti, Gloria Badal, Daniel Lind, David Halamy, Joy Case, Anne-Marie Beck, Alan Reza, David Okawa, Craig Lee, Xavier Sangiano, and Juilannah Townsend. Your support is not only appreciated — it is formative. Each, uniquely, has contributed to an amalgamation of experiences which — of those who understand me — understand the value I place on experience. Thank you all!
I also want to thank all of the clubs — advisors; presidents; boards; and members — for your collaborative efforts; as well as any and all departments and faculty involved in facilitating my success here at Cypress College.
How has Cypress College supported you throughout your time at the college?
Little known to many, Cypress College has provided me reprieve — and I say this with solemnity — from what was otherwise a life void of eudaimonia. Enervated. The particulars: financial succor, intellectual nourishment, social opportunity.
Programs. Faculty. Peers
Each — the scaffolding by which the repairs necessary can be made.
What are your immediate plans after completing your studies at Cypress College (at your transfer institution, in the workforce, etc.)?
My immediate intentions are to transfer to a four-year university — where I will pursue a bachelor’s degree; then, a master’s program — master’s degree; and ultimately, a doctoral program — Ph.D. in Philosophy.
What are your long-term goals? What do you aspire to?
Beyond pursuing a Ph.D — my long-term goals are… Philosophy ensues! Research. Authorship. Teaching. Philosophy. I can say, with certainty — I will be immersed in thought. My hope: as my pursuits further, so too, will my understanding of what my experiences will amount to.
What are you most proud of?
What am I most proud of? Wrestling — still — with becoming. An embrace of failure as buttress to success; success as umbra of effort. That I have cast as outsider, in exile — smiling. That I have cast as leader, in acceptance…
What bit of advice would you give to current and future Cypress College students?
To current and future students:
Embrace the boulder — and the hill.
Do not seek comfort in knowing — you do not — but in the pursuit of knowledge.
Do not seek comfort in certainty — there is not — but in the pursuit of understanding.
Find yourself in your favorite professor’s pocket; their guidance and friendship is invaluable.
Care. —
Balance. Discipline. Clubs. Read. —
And perhaps, a selfish tidbit to close: consider majoring in Philosophy!
Is there anything else you’d like to share?
“One should use common words to say uncommon things.”
Arthur Schopenhauer
“One should use uncommon words to say common things.”
Chase Curnow