Alumni Spotlight: Richard Mullaney

Who are you? My name is Richie Mullaney and I graduated from the College in 2018. I’m from Jacksonville, Florida and I am now living in Washington, DC. What are you up to now? I work for Georgetown’s Office of Advancement. Every month, I travel to a different region of the country to meet alumni in the area as part of an alumni outreach program called the Discovery Initiative.

Why did you get involved in the AP Board? Philodemic has given so much to me over the years and I hope to give back as part of the AP Board. Alumni are an integral part of the Philo community and finding ways to better engage older Philodemicians is an exciting responsibility.

What does Philodemic/Alumni Philodemica mean to you? To me, Philodemic is how Georgetown lives out the Jesuit value of “Contemplation in Action.” To pause every week and reflect on a different idea in a tradition that dates back almost two centuries is so special. It is rare in life to gather people with such diverse backgrounds and beliefs in the same room to constructively discuss important topics. Learning from others and challenging oneself regularly in the Philodemic Room is how true empathy is gained which ultimately leads to philo-demic: love of the people. What was your favorite debate? It’s hard to pick just one but I really loved the very first debate of my freshman year, “Resolved: The ALS Ice Bucket Challenge has done more harm than good.” Since my grandpa had passed away from ALS, I was intrigued by the topic when I saw flyers around campus. I was fortunate enough to be called on and speak about the importance of the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge to my family. Little did I know, I wouldn’t have a free Thursday night for my entire college experience. What is your favorite memory of your time in the Philodemic Society? One of my favorite memories from Philodemic is when I arrived at a debate a little late and ran into President DeGioia as he was leaving his office. He turned to me and asked what the Philodemic was debating that night. After an awkward pause, I told him “Whether Superman or Batman is the greater superhero.” President DeGioia laughed and told me to “Keep on confronting the important issues of the day.” Why do you think other alumni should get involved in the AP? The alumni who I meet with often speak of their time at Georgetown with nostalgia and express a desire to recapture the spirit of intellectual curiosity that is so ubiquitous on a college campus. The Alumni Philodemica offers a great opportunity to engage with ideas long after leaving the Hilltop and to remain the lifelong learners Georgetown forms us to be.