Philosophy & Creative Writing Major Wins Boiled Peanut Prize

Double major Perry Patterson ’26 (Creative and Professional Writing, Philosophy) received the coveted Boiled Peanut Prize for best undergraduate presentation at the 2026 South Carolina Society for Philosophy Annual Conference. The conference features presentations by faculty, independent scholars, graduate students, and undergraduates from around the country.

Perry’s project focused on developing a new theoretical framework for a philosophy of ballet and was widely praised by faculty and attendees from around the southeastern region.

Converse’s Philosophy program challenges students to reflect upon broad questions of human identity, meaning, and moral responsibility. Intercultural and historical perspectives are given particular attention, and student research is a critical component of the program.

Converse’s Creative & Professional Writing major, one of only 30 undergraduate programs of its kind in the country, prepares students with marketable skills for both business and literary writing careers.