Keegan Vacanti
’22 credits faculty mentoring as ingredient to success
CONWAY, Ark. (August xx, 2024) — While applying to law school may seem daunting, Hendrix
alumnus Keegan Vacanti ’22 is proof that through the power of liberal arts
education – and, in particular, the Department of
Philosophy – Hendrix graduates are more than prepared for the challenge.
Vacanti, a philosophy major from Memphis, Tenn.,
who graduated from Hendrix summa cum
laude with distinction and was inducted into Phi Beta Kappa, will be
attending Yale Law School this fall. He credits his time spent in the Department
of Philosophy as a significant factor in his successful application cycle,
which included seven acceptances and two full-tuition
scholarship offers.
While at Hendrix, Vacanti received the
McHenry-Lane Mathematics Award, was a Murphy Scholar and a Hays Scholar, played
two seasons of soccer, and volunteered as a tutor at a local elementary school,
among other activities. He spent the two years since earning his Bachelor of
Arts degree teaching at Rabun Gap-Nacoochee School, a private boarding school
in Georgia. While at Rabun Gap, Vacanti taught junior level American Studies (a
combined English/Language Arts and History class), coached junior varsity boys’
and middle school girls’ soccer, and lived as an on-site assistant dorm head.
Vacanti also worked two summers at the Tennessee Governor’s School for
International Studies, which selects high-achieving high schoolers from around
Tennessee to take classes for college credit. This past summer, Vacanti taught
a course centered around human agency in the Anthropocene.
It was Vacanti’s experience teaching American history
that brought him to Yale. “I’d already had some interest in topics related to
the law through my philosophy courses and UR [Hendrix Odyssey Program
Undergraduate Research] credits, but they didn’t fully connect to the idea of
actually practicing or studying law itself until I started teaching,” Vacanti
said. “After seeing how completely intertwined American history was with its
legal history, it was clear that I couldn’t understand the philosophical topics
that interested me most deeply—ethics, social/political philosophy—without
understanding how they operated in real life.”
Vacanti was drawn to Yale for its small
community and flexibility in terms of outcomes, as many Yale Law alumni pursue
careers outside of practicing law after graduation. “The smaller community of
people and the connections formed outside of the class, as well as the
flexibility of academic pursuits, were what I appreciated most about Hendrix,
and I liked the idea of going back to something like that,” he said.
Though it was a difficult process, Vacanti felt
well-prepared for law school application thanks to the education he received in
the Hendrix Department of Philosophy. “At each step of the process, I was able
to draw on the mentorship of my professors,” Vacanti wrote in an email. “In my
essays, I explained how I mirrored the teaching style of Dr. [Chris] Campolo in
my own classroom. During interviews, I drew on ideas formed while writing my
senior thesis under the guidance of Dr. [Peg] Falls-Corbitt and Dr. [James] Dow.”
Vacanti compared his LSAT preparation
process to studying Kant and Hegel at Hendrix, saying he actually found it less
intense than some of his undergraduate studies. “Even the notorious Logic Games section was a
breeze after taking Dr. [Fred] Ablondi’s Logic class (thanks also to Drs. Carol
Ann Downes and Chris Camfield in the math department),” he wrote.
“The Philosophy Department is deeply proud of
Keegan’s accomplishments,” said Professor of Philosophy Dr. James Dow. “Keegan
was a stellar student in my classes. He worked hard on all steps of the writing
process, engaged in conversations in class, and read difficult texts closely.
His senior thesis project on Iris Murdoch’s aesthetic approach to meta-ethics
was original and engaging. Keegan also participated in programming hosted by
the Steel Center
including book groups and featured speakers, and always added depth and insight
to the conversations. We are looking forward to celebrating Keegan in his
future successes at Yale Law School.”
“I am incredibly grateful for the Philosophy Department’s
impact on my life, and I look forward to seeing how the skills I gained in my
time at Hendrix will continue to aid me in my professional life,” Vacanti said.
Data from a 2023 survey of recent Hendrix
graduates and a survey of law school applicants in the Hendrix Class of 2024
indicate that the Hendrix undergraduate experience provides excellent
preparation for those seeking law school admission.
“Hendrix is very proud of its nearly 80% acceptance
rate into law school,” said Hendrix Provost Teresa Garrett. “Our Philosophy
program, like many others on campus, prepares students to not only excel on the
LSAT but also to shine when they interview for and ultimately enter top law
schools like Yale. We know that Keegan will represent Hendrix well!”
About Hendrix College
Founded in
1876, Hendrix College is featured in Colleges That Change Lives: 40 Schools
That Will Change the Way You Think About Colleges and celebrated among the
country’s leading liberal arts colleges for academic quality, engaged learning
opportunities and career preparation, vibrant campus life, and value. The
Hendrix College Warriors compete in 21 NCAA Division III sports. Hendrix has
been affiliated with the United Methodist Church since 1884. Learn more at www.hendrix.edu.
“… Through
engagement that links the classroom with the world, and a commitment to
diversity, inclusion, justice, and sustainable living, the Hendrix community
inspires students to lead lives of accomplishment, integrity, service, and
joy.”
—Hendrix College Statement of Purpose