(Photo by: Khadeeja Saleem)

Have you ever thought about the difference between right and wrong? Morality, ethical questions, questions about organ donation, euthanasia and capital punishment? What about the existence of God and whether creation and evolution are compatible?

Well, for the Department Chair of Philosophy and Religion, Professor Dawn Gale, these are some of the questions that intrigued her about philosophy.

“I always thought philosophically, and I was always interested in philosophical topics. I just didn’t have that label until I studied philosophy in my intro to philosophy course as an undergrad,” Gale said.

Gale explained that her journey to JCCC started as a student. She grew up in the Johnson County area and took her first 28 college credits at JCCC through College Now at her high school.

“I went out of state for my undergraduate to the University of Wisconsin, but I came back to Kansas and did my graduate work at the University of Kansas. And so while I was a graduate student at KU, I was a teaching assistant, and I was teaching courses in Intro to Philosophy and Ethics at KU.”

Once she finished her master’s degree, she began looking for adjunct positions so she could start getting other experience.

“I started at Maple Woods Community College; it was my first adjunct position. Maplewoods in Longview, I started at the same time. Those are both in the Metropolitan Community College system,” Gale said.

Then an adjunct position was advertised at JCCC.

“And then as soon as a full-time position opened up, I was really fortunate. They had two full-time philosophy positions [that] opened up at the same time, and my colleague, Omar Conrad, and I were hired for those positions. Both of us were KU graduate students, both of us were adjunct professors, and we’re both still full-time faculty at JCCC now.”

Gale explained that teaching has always been a part of her life that she was passionate about.

“I guess everything I’ve ever done has had to do with education and teaching of some type. I think I always think of myself. It’s not just something I do. It’s really who I am. It’s such a huge part of my identity,” Gale said. “And that even goes back to my first job as a teenager. I worked in an extracurricular program as a teacher’s assistant. I taught and coached competitive swimming for a number of years.”

Gale said she believes being an educator is all about helping students find a connection.

“Some of the most rewarding moments that I can highlight are students that have come into a philosophy course really uncertain that it would be a good fit or concerned about it or even students, in some cases, that were really struggling, and to help them find a connection to philosophy and be successful.”

She also explained that she has been able to form lasting relationships, whether that be with former students or fellow colleagues.

“Those are the things that really make all the frustrations that you can run into worth it and, you know, in any job there are frustrations. But I just feel fortunate to be able to do something that I really love, and to be able to form relationships, and to make a connection and an impact on other people’s lives,” Gale said.

Former JCCC student Josie Hoy said that Gale is kind and competent and loves what she teaches. She explained that talking with her is always engaging and enjoyable.

“I am happy to still be in contact with her after my class ended. She is always doing something interesting and cool.”

Professor & Co-Chair of Sociology Eve Blobaum said that she takes advantage of every opportunity she is given to work with Gale.

“She is brilliant, dedicated and inspiring, and her work transcends traditional disciplinary boundaries,” Blobaum said. “Her contributions to any project are always thoughtful and carefully considered.”

Blobaum said there aren’t enough superlatives to adequately express how much she loves and respects Dawn. She describes her as an exceptional colleague and friend.

“She has a huge heart that shines through in everything she does. She can be fierce on behalf of her family and friends, and she’s a ton of fun to travel with. She will encourage you to try new things, but never force you. She is the best shopping advisor because of her impeccable taste.”

Outside of teaching, Gale loves to read, travel, support the arts and watch sports.

“We go and see a lot of community theater and [enjoy] touring Broadway shows and things like that. I’m pretty spoiled because I get to do a lot of these things for fun in my outside life, but so much of this also connects to the college,” Gale said. “And so, you know, I see a lot of our shows that come through MTC, but also through our theater department and things like that too.”

Gale hopes that her classes help people think more deeply, more critically, and look at things from a variety of perspectives.

“I think we all have a tendency to look at things through our own individual lenses, but to challenge that and to at least analyze [that is important]” Gale said. “And to think through multiple ways of thinking about it and really, you know, stop and take a look and reflect on our own perspectives and why we hold them, whether they are as legitimate as we might initially think, to really critically evaluate our own perspectives and decision making.”

Gale reminds students not to be afraid to dive in.

“Don’t let a difficult text or some fancy terminology, things like that, intimidate you because I think that everybody has something to add. And really, that’s what your faculty members are there for–to help you work through those difficult texts and the difficult terminology.”