For Lauren Scaffidi, philosophy has grown into a lifelong passion that her family affectionately calls a “philosophy addiction.” As she prepares to graduate with degrees in philosophy from the Franklin College of Arts and Sciences and political science from the School of Public and International Affairs (SPIA), Scaffidi is focused on a future where philosophical ideas can help solve real-world problems. Her time at Franklin helped her see how philosophy can shape the way people think, approach challenges, and serve others.

Research became a defining part of Scaffidi’s undergraduate experience. Working with Professor Aaron Meskin, head of the philosophy department, she explored the everyday aesthetic activity of getting ready with friends before going out. That interest led to her first paper, “Glowing Up for Going Out: Going Out as a Performance,” published in The Classic Journal in April 2024. She later presented her research at the UGA Center for Undergraduate Research Opportunities (CURO) symposium. Scaffidi is now co-authoring a second paper with Meskin titled “Why Getting Ready Is (Sometimes and for Some People) the Best Part of Going Out.” That work was presented at the 2025 Georgia Philosophical Association Conference and the 2025 Annual Meeting of the American Society for Aesthetics.  

“Lauren has been a great research assistant and co-author, an excellent student, and an incredible departmental citizen,” says professor Meskin. “She is also very kind and very funny. The department will really miss her next year…unless she comes back for a graduate degree!”

One of the most meaningful experiences of Scaffidi’s time at UGA was taking Criminal Justice Ethics with assistant professor Jeremy Davis through Franklin’s Inside-Out course model. The program brings Franklin students and incarcerated individuals together in a correctional facility classroom. The course strengthened her belief that philosophy can have a direct impact and build meaningful human connection.

Scaffidi’s academic and leadership accomplishments reflect that same commitment to service. She received the philosophy department’s Daniel Hart Memorial Scholarship research grant and was inducted into Blue Key, Phi Beta Kappa, and Omicron Delta Kappa honor societies. She also studied abroad through the UGA at Oxford Summer Session, where she took courses in English and history.

Outside the classroom, Scaffidi pursued leadership opportunities across campus and in the Athens community. She held positions in the Demosthenian Literary Society, Model United Nations, and the Philosophy Ambassadors Program. She also served as vice president of the Athens-Clarke County League of Women Voters, worked as a Public Service and Outreach Student Scholar with the J.W. Fanning Institute for Leadership Development, and helped raise funds for the Athens Area Homeless Shelter.

Her advice for incoming students is to follow what genuinely interests them. Instead of worrying about what they think they should study, she encourages students to pursue the subjects that excite them most.

After graduation, Scaffidi plans to attend either law school or graduate school in philosophy, depending on financial aid opportunities.

As commencement approaches, Scaffidi leaves Franklin with a record of scholarship, leadership, and service, along with the belief that ideas have the greatest value when they are used to help others.