In Spring 2021, the department began offering awards for outstanding undergraduate students of classical Greek. Students applied for the awards with short essays about why they chose to study this ancient language.
Congratulations to the winners of the First Year Greek Award (for outstanding work in completing GRK 102: Elementary Classical Greek II): Alia Elizabeth Bushaw, Jordan Lynn Proffitt, and Katie E. Schafer.
Congratulations to the winner of the Second Year Greek Award (for outstanding work in Completing GRK 202: Intermediate Classical Greek II): Brandon O'Sullivan.
The award winners are featured below with excerpts from their own words about the joys of ancient Greek.
Alia Elizabeth Bushaw: "As a student of the Classics, I find the study of ancient Greek very rewarding. To know classical Greek is to gain a deeper understanding of ancient Greek culture and beliefs. Within these texts, we get insight into attitudes about, for example, sex and religion that we miss in English. As someone who also studies Ancient Mediterranean Religion, learning ancient Greek has been rewarding in my translations of early Christian texts. With Greek, I learn more about the overall text from the words and syntax. Engaging with the Greek adds a whole other layer of meaning and appreciation for the literature we have."
Brandon O'Sullivan: "I am studying Ancient Greek for the insights it gives about humanity and the way our world is shaped. Reading the thoughts of someone who lived thousands of years ago, in the language they expressed them, makes our world seem so much smaller. It is important to remember that our problems are not new, and that their struggles are indeed our struggles. My perspective on the world has broadened thanks to my study of Ancient Greek, and I hope to share this skill with others one day, when I have strengthened my grasp on the language through further study."
Jordan Lynn Proffitt: "My experience in studying Classical Greek has been nothing short of inspiring, as the Greek language has allowed me to cultivate academic habits and skills through the crucible of arduous study, while also opening my mind to the ancient and yet ever-relevant world of Greek literature. Translating Greek can be tedious, but there is something almost magical in watching the meaning of a work steadily manifest. The Greeks themselves are known throughout the world for their wisdom, and often translating even the smallest philosophical insight can its very own reward. In reading the kindly morals of Aesop’s Fables, the drama of Plato’s Trial and Death of Socrates, or even the bored graffiti of an athlete waiting to compete at Nemea, one finds the personality of the Greeks utterly enchanting. What compels me most to continue studying Greek is how, in every translation, the often mysterious, and yet wonderfully familiar soul of an ancient author substantiates right alongside the meaning of their words on the page. Any student, such as myself, who has both the inclination to exercise and hone their academic skills, to explore ancient inspiration and wisdom, and to broaden and diversify their horizons by the illumination of the classical antiquity will be a natural fit for Classical Greek."
Katie E. Schafer: "Learning ancient Greek is a fascinating and unique study that has been both difficult and very interesting to take part in. While it can be difficult to learn a whole new set of letters, it is very satisfying once one is able to read the Greek alphabet. Learning ancient Greek also opens up a massive opportunity to understand history more fully. Instead of having to rely on only translations, a scholar that is familiar with the language of ancient Greece can work directly with primary sources, such as monuments with text or ancient literature. More simply, I enjoy learning it because I like grammar and seeing how different languages structure their speech. One more reason that is most important to me personally is the ability to read the New Testament in the language that it was written in. Being a Christian is the most important part of my life, and being able to understand the original manuscripts of the Bible in Greek has brought me even closer to my faith."