Alex Wessel
graduated from Butler in 2008 with a degree in philosophy and
chemistry. He currently attends Indiana University School of
Medicine. During 2011-12 he is doing full-time
medical research and working on his MA in Philosophy with a
concentration in Bioethics at IU. He also operates a small
poultry farm near Butler in his free time. After graduation
he would like to go into a surgical field.
"I am really happy with my decision to study philosophy at
Butler. The faculty works hard at challenging students to
think in new and creative ways, and the small class sizes provide
an intimate environment in which true personal growth can
occur. In college a lot of pre-med students only consider
studying the sciences. However, I think it is also important
to concentrate on the humanities in order to become a
better-rounded person (the type that medical school admissions
committees are looking for). For me, philosophy was a great
choice because it addresses the "big questions" that are truly at
the heart of medicine. Almost every day I in the hospital I
encounter ethical dilemmas that are every bit as challenging as the
scientific ones; and I believe that my background in philosophy has
helped me to deal with them in an appropriate manner."