By Katie Potzick

“Philosophy has always been for me a fascination with ideas and things I didn’t understand,” said philosophy professor Dismas Masolo.
This fascination has led this dynamic professor across the globe in his studies.
“I grew up in Kenya during the colonial times and they taught us more about what was going on outside the country and in Europe than about us and our history in Kenya,” said Masolo. “I was curious to learn more than just the factual information I was given.”
This curiosity sparked a drive in Masolo which led him to Europe, back to Kenya, and across America.
While attending missionary schools in Mumbasa, Kenya, Masolo earned a scholarship to Gregorian Jesuit University in Rome, Italy.
From Rome he went on to study in Freiburg, Switzerland and then back to Kenya to teach at the University of Nairobi.
However, due to problems with the dictatorshi then in power, he and his family left Kenya in 1991 and moved to the United States.
In America he taught at several universities before settling in here in Kentucky, where he has been teaching at the University of Louisville since 1996.
“I’ve seen the university make a lot of good changes towards becoming a top tier research university,” said Masolo. “As it continues to change I’d like to see it become more diverse, demographically and culturally.”
According to Masolo, one of the most rewarding experiences he’s had at U of L has been working with the Honors Program and overseeing an international seminar to Kenya.
“Engaging students through travel and helping them see firsthand and visit the places that seem abstract in text and lectures has been great,” said Masolo. “I’ve found U of L students ready to embrace new ideas and cultural mores.”
Beyond his teaching career, Masolo leads a busy academic life; he is a member of several committees and societies. He has written several books and academic papers, as well as performed edits for many academic journals. Outside of writing, Masolo is President of The Society for African Philosophy in North America (SAPINA).
He also recently organized and held the second International African Philosophy Conference, held at U of L.
Masolo is married with two children, one of whom is a recent graduate of U of L with a degree in communications.
After traveling internationally and living in several large cities, Masolo has found Louisville to be a great place to live.
“I like Louisville because it is in between a small town and big city,” said Masolo. “It’s a nice place to live and the people, especially my colleagues, are friendly.”
Surrounded by his friends in Louisville, Masolo keeps his eye on current events, relishing in the recent election and inauguration of President Obama.
“We are from the same town,” said Masolo.
“His father’s house was only 20 miles from mine.”