What is your major?
Classics (Greek and Latin) and Romance Studies (Italian, French, and Spanish)
What is your hometown?
Cleveland, Ohio
Why did you choose to study Classics?
I have always loved history, but studying Classics and learning to read ancient sources in their original languages has made the experience much more personal and fulfilling. I love the feeling of connecting with people across thousands of years and learning what their lives were like—laughing at the same puns, mourning for their loved ones on epitaphs, and being excited by the same stories. It's a very human subject, and it helps you understand yourself better as well.
What do you like most about the Department of Classics?
My Classics professors are far and away some of the most supportive professors I have ever had. They really know their students and want them to succeed, and that has made a huge difference for me.
What is your favorite class you have taken in the Department of Classics and why?
I loved Classics 4101 (Classical Receptions) with Dr. Hawkins because it was really eye-opening to explore what Classics has meant to people from different cultures and periods of history. It gave me the chance to discover some authors and movies I might have never come across otherwise, and Dr. Hawkins is really great about including all his students and helping them cultivate their interests.
I also loved Latin 5012 (Roman Lyric) with Dr. Gianni. Catullus and Horace are both super entertaining to read, and Dr. Gianni is insanely knowledgeable. I learned something new every class, which made it easy to look forward to!
What advice would you give to other students considering pursuing a major or minor in Classics?
Be patient with yourself, and don't count yourself out! Latin and Greek are difficult sometimes and ancient history can be daunting, but if it’s something you’re interested in, it’s something you can learn.