Beliefs and Practices: Taking a Fresh Look - Revised Edition (Paperback) (ISBN-13: 9781985761117)

Tom Shipka (Ph.D., Boston College) taught philosophy for 46 years at Youngstown State University. During the early stage of his YSU career he spearheaded the unionization of the full-time faculty and led the faculty union and later on he served as chair of the Department of Philosophy and Religious Studies. His previous publications include "Philosophy: Paradox and Discovery," McGraw-Hill, a text (five editions); "Commentaries: 162 Essays on WYSU," CreateSpace, a compilation of his commentaries on the National Public Radio affiliate in Youngstown, Ohio; the original edition of "Beliefs and Practices: Taking a Fresh Look," CreateSpace; and dozens of articles in social and political thought, critical thinking, secularism, and higher education labor relations. He is a three-time recipient of the YSU Distinguished Service Award for achievements in teaching and scholarship and a two-time recipient of the YSU Watson Service Award for achievements in administrative service. He was inducted into the YSU Heritage Society and the YSU Athletics Hall of Fame as a contributor. A speakers series at YSU is named after him and his father, a long-time labor leader and former YSU trustee. He has served as chair of the higher education councils of the National Education Association and the Ohio Education Association; chair of the Ohio Faculty Council; and a member of the boards of the Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County, the Western Reserve Transit Authority, and the Mill Creek MetroParks.