Alex Henlin (C’01, L’04)
Philodemic Vice President – 2001 Merrick Medalist – 2001 Hamilton Medalist – 1998
What are you up to now? I practice law in Concord, New Hampshire, with the firm of Sulloway & Hollis, P.L.L.C. When I’m not dealing with insurance coverage questions, I chair the American Legion Boys State program in New Hampshire. Somewhere in between, I find time to enjoy the mountains and traveling to see hockey games at new NHL stadiums.
How has your time in Philodemic influenced your career path? The Philodemic taught me how to make my argument, to take criticism with grace, and not to forget how to have fun. My law practice is not heavily focused on the courtroom: it’s a lot of writing and formulating the structure of an argument, which I learned in the Society. I also learned that, if you listen carefully, you pick up a lot of neat details about life from people – everything from how to fix a prop plane to how to pick the best whisky, and everything in between.
What was your favorite debate or memory from your time in the Philodemic Society? Hands down: “There is no such thing as a just war.” I led a double-keynote against my best friend and college roommate, John Fedynsky (C’01), and the debate raged for almost three hours before ending in a tie vote that then-president Andrew Goodrich (C’02) decided in my favor. The room was packed, and the quality of speeches was magnificent.
The other thing that I really enjoyed was reading where the speakers came from – at least the keynoters – because their home states would be listed on the program. I vividly remember one double-keynote debate (two keynoters on each side) where the four speakers were from Massachusetts, Virginia, Pennsylvania, and Kentucky: the four states that style themselves as Commonwealths.
Oh, and both Islam and Solomon at Martin’s Tavern. They were honorary members and absolute fixtures on Thursday nights after the debate.
What does Philodemic mean to you? Friendship, good cheer, sharp wit, and verbal fun. The Philodemic stands as a place where Georgetown can debate the questions of the day, great and small. And I usually know that a fellow Philodemic alum is someone blessed with a sense of humor and a wicked grin, who doesn’t shy from sharing a well-reasoned opinion.
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