University of New England

STUDENT SPOTLIGHT

Essie McKinnon
Class of 2006

Philosophy Minor

Medical Biology (Pre-Physican Assistant) Major

Hometown: South Portland, Maine

My name is Essie McKinnon, and I'm from South Portland, Maine. I'm a medical biology (Pre-PA) major with a minor in Philosophy.

I have been an undergraduate at UNE for four years now and enjoy the small atmosphere. Being able to talk and know professors on a one-to-one basis has been one of the best parts about being a student at UNE.

Why are you studying philosophy as a minor?
Philosophy was something new to me when I started my education at UNE but after a while it was really beginning to intrigue me.

When people ask me why I'm minoring in philosophy I tell them it's because it gives me a mental balance. Obviously when being a med-bio major, the science courses are constantly on my mind. Philosophy was a way for me to leave that mindset for a little while and think more abstractly.
 
Although I love the sciences, it can make the brain become very stiff and rigid. Philosophy for me, is like a stretching exercise for my
brain. It works with other parts of my brain and makes me think in different ways. This can become a stress reliever.

The philosophy class that stuck out the most for me was called Mind, Body, and Death. I took this class my freshmen year, and it really
caught my attention. Thinking about the differences between the mind and body like if the mind is the body or if they are separate entities, was so intriguing. I found that although I had my own views about the topic, I could see the other side of the argument too. A person is not forced to understand and think in a certain way in philosophy. A person can expand their thoughts and ideas. They are able to see the whole picture, not just one side.

In June, I will be attending the Physician Assistant Program on UNE's Westbrook College Campus. I know that this will be very hard work and stress management will be key. All my classes will be science based, which is great - but like I said before, it may force me to use only certain parts of my brain or think in a certain way.

Using my philosophical background I will be able to prevent this from happening. My mind set has been molded by philosophy in a positive way. Now I will be able to use my thinking techniques in graduate school and hopefully for the rest of my life.

(Last updated January 2006)