Alumni Success Stories

Alumni Success Stories

Recent Graduates

Alexander Hentze

Classical Philology Latin and Greek, Class of 2023.
Hometown: Metairie, LA

I studied Latin and Greek at Jesuit High School of New Orleans. Upon graduating, I told myself that I had enough Latin and Greek to last me a lifetime. However, spending a semester in the Eternal City rekindled my desire to study Classics. I dropped my philosophy major, transferred out of Italian, and began anew my classics study as a Classical Philology Latin and Greek double major. The remaining two and a half years of college were some of the best in my life, filled with leisure, both academic and social, which helped form me into the man I am today. In my final semester, I wrote my thesis, and not only did it teach me the skills of daily hard work and dedication, but it afforded me the opportunity and freedom to delve into burning questions that I had about man. To me, Classics is so much more than the study of dead languages, it is about recovering the patrimony of Western Civilization. We must understand our language if we wish to understand our heritage.

Topics of Interest: I wrote my thesis on the spirited part of the soul, "Thumos/Animus," in relation to heroism in the Iliad and Aeneid. 

Rebecca Deitsch

Classical Philology, focus in Greek with a Spanish Concentration, Class of 2017
Hometown: Duluth, Georgia

Update, 2024: Received her PhD in Classics at Harvard in 2023; currently Affiliate Assistant Professor at Kenyon College; Assistant Professor of Classics at Smith College, beginning 2025.

I have been fascinated by languages ever since I was ten, when my interest in genealogy led me to start learning Polish. My love for Polish encouraged me to study Spanish and Latin as well, and soon languages were an enormous part of my life. So when it came time to pick a major, Classical Philology was a natural choice. Several friends recommended UD to me as a good school for classical languages, and after one campus visit, I was convinced that UD was the perfect school for me (which has proved to be very true). Majoring in Classical Philology at UD allows me to explore my passions for languages, linguistics, and literature, and I can't imagine a better arrangement!

Topics of Interest: Latin epic (especially post-Augustan), Athenian tragedy (especially Euripides), comparative linguistics

Other Interests: Reading, writing, music (especially piano and violin), scrapbooking, hiking, Slavic linguistics

Rebekah Spearman

Classical Philology, focus in Latin, Class of 2014
Hometown: Wheelock, Texas

Update, 2024: Received her PhD from the University of Chicago, 2022; currently Tutor at St. John's College, Annapolis.

I chose to study at UD because I felt and still feel that a core curriculum is essential to a good education. Without a knowledge of the past, we can't understand the present and future. Furthermore, I knew that I wanted to study Classics and was very excited about the UD Classics Department when I visited as a senior.

Topics of Interest: As a Classics major, my main area of interest is Latin lyric poetry, but, in general, I love poetry, playing piano, studying foreign languages, reading, rock climbing, and spending time outdoors.

Kimberly Read

Classical Philology Major, focus in Latin, Class of 2013 
Hometown: Amarillo, TX

Update, 2024: Received her MA from the University of Kansas; currently teaches Math at Caprock High School in Amarillo. She has stayed active in the Classics community as a State Co-Chair for Texas State Junior Classical League (TSJCL), liaison for the Texas State Senior Classical League (TXSCL) and chair of the Scholarship Committee for the Texas Classical Association (TCA). 

Post-UD Reflections : My studies in the Classics Department at UD taught me to appreciate both precision and beauty in language, along with analytical skills that I still use in my math classroom. I also learned perseverance and self-discipline through the time spent learning and attempting to master Latin and Greek. Much of my success, both in graduate school and as an educator, directly links to lessons learned during my time at UD.

Topics of Interest: Latin, Greek (especially poetry), Classical Mythology, Ancient History

Other Interests: I love literature and classical music. I am never bored. If I have nothing else to do, I pick up a book! I used to play viola and sorely miss the joy of performing works by Mozart, Shostakovich and the like. I also enjoy dancing and miss taking tap classes.

Patsy Craig

Classical Philology, focus in Latin, Class of 2012

Hometown: Hillsdale, MI

Update, 2024: Received her PhD from Catholic University of America; currently Assistant Professor of Classics at Hillsdale College

Why Major in Classics at UD: While working on a concentration in Latin at UD, I debated whether to major in English or French or Philosophy. Then I realized that what I wanted was to read Greek and Latin. So I changed my major. I love the beautiful subtlety of the ancient languages, and I know that, in any case, the only proper way to read an ancient text is in its original language! Whether I end up as a Latin teacher or perhaps an English professor teaching the Odyssey in translation, I will be more knowledge-filled and happier for majoring in Classical Philology.

Topics of Interest: I like to translate Latin poetry into English (albeit not well). I would love to translate Horace's Odes into a meter reminiscent of certain poems by W. H. Auden. I wrote my junior paper on Cicero's Laelius de Amicitia, so I am pretty interested in Cicero and in friendship.

Other Interests: I like speaking French. I sing with UD's Collegium Cantorum (in which we primarily sing polyphonic sacred music in Latin), and I have been in several musicals. I play a bit of piano. I also run for fun.

Bill Farris

Classical Philology major, concentration in Music, Class of 2010

Hometown: Wichita Falls, TX

Update, 2024: Graduate student and Assistant Instructor in Classics, University of Texas at Austin

Why attend UD? My high school Latin teacher encouraged me to study Latin in college, and she said UD has a Classics program, which it does.

Other Interests: I did theatre a lot in high school. I also play music. I'm in Collegium Cantorum here at UD, and that is a lot of fun. I play bass guitar for musicals during the summer in my home town.

Background photo: 2017 Classics Graduates © 2017 by Rebecca Deitsch, BA '17