BottomLine Spotlight: Dr. Austin Dacey

Dr. Austin Dacey is one of Frostburg State University’s newest teachers. Dacey is from Cottonwood, Minnesota, which is 2 ½ hours outside of Minneapolis. To put that in perspective, the closest Chinese restaurant is 106 miles away in Sioux Fall, South Dakota. He earned his Ph.D in Philosophy from Bowling Green State University. Dacey said, “I chose Philosophy out of confusion.”

Prior to becoming a professor here at Frostburg, he taught at the University of Central Florida. He also did some human rights work in New York City, for the freedom of artistic expression.

Dacey became a teacher so that he can help students from not doing what he did when he was in college. Dacey said he “hopes that others can benefit from his mistakes.” He referred to his teaching style as “Socratic,” referring to the Greek philosopher Socrates. Dacey is the faculty advisor for the philosophy club. He said his mission for the club is “campus domination through doubting the existence of things.” The club is still looking for members, so stop by during one of the club’s meetings if you’re interested.

This semester he is teaching Philosophy 101 (introduction to philosophy) and Philosophy 102 (contemporary ethical problems).  In Spring 2015, he will be teaching those same classes as well as teaching Philosophy 205 (logic). A signature of Dacey is the way he ends every class. Right before he dismisses the class, he says, “Audi alteram partem,” which is Latin for hear the other side.

Dacey says he is “happy to be here in Frostburg.”