Philosophia, the love of wisdom, is what every true scholar aspires toward. 2011's Salutatorian, Landon Hobbs, is no exception. He is studying Philosophy at Pepperdine, but plans on taking his studies much further, all the way to his doctorate. The end goal for him is to pass on this “love of wisdom” to other students, giving back what was given to him.

His desire to teach is inspired both by his passionate love of liberal education and his teachers here at CDA. He says that they taught him how much of an impact teachers can make in how you view the world and who you then become.

His leanings toward Philosophy began at a defining moment in his scholarly career, when he first read Socrates’ Apology. Clearly, Plato’s brief, but powerful dialogue on the trial and death of Socrates still holds sway. Landon’s motto has become the same as Socrates, “The unexamined life is not worth living.” And so, he too wants to participate in the great dialogues of the ages, in the meta-science that touches every branch of knowledge and life, something which follows his CDA experience well.

Landon says that his time at Coram Deo taught him that “the more you apply yourself, the more you get out of a class and the more you enjoy it.”, that this process “makes you like the material as you come to terms with it.” And so, he has never once “taken a class [he] positively didn’t like.” Because all subjects are in his intellectual playing field, philosophy will suit him well.

With two siblings already at Pepperdine, Landon knows full well the perks of attending that university. He looks forward to the study abroad program, but has not yet decided between London and Florence. Either way, he is sure to enjoy the views, conversations, and scholarly inspirations.

Commencement Speech