The Department of Classical and Ancient Near Eastern Studies would like to recognize and celebrate the accomplishments of our Fall 2020 graduating seniors. Read about four of our eight undergraduates, who share their experience and advice below!
Tanvi Dhariwal
Bachelor of Arts
Majors: Art History & Italian
Certificates: Archaeology & Classical Studies
What kinds of academic experiences did you enjoy most during college?
I think I enjoyed my interactions with professors in smaller classes the most. Getting to know professors, their research, and their points of view were definitely highlights of my college experience.
Is there something within your Classics experience that you did enjoy best?
I think Prof. McClure’s course on Gender and Sexuality in Ancient Greece and Rome was one of my favorite courses that I took. I definitely need to give a shoutout to the Sicily excavation I went on with Prof. Aylward!
Any advice for continuing students or something you wish you’d known?
I would *highly* recommend getting to know professors: email them about something they said that interest you, going to office hours etc.
Future plans?
I’m taking a year off before applying to grad school!
Katie Gapinski
Bachelor of Arts
Major: English
Certificates: Classical Studies & European Studies
What kinds of academic experiences did you enjoy most during college?
I have really enjoyed classes that challenged me to think outside of the box. Usually this took the form of studying topics from other places or times. There is something so beautiful about seeing how similar and different people can be, and such a wonderful gift to get to see that come to life in a classroom.
Is there something within your Classics experience that you did enjoy best?
Geoffrey Ludlum was a TA for my Latin Class. He was so patient with us (something common among the Classics Department). But that class worked me harder than most classes, and I feel like I learned a lot about my own learning in the process.
Any advice for continuing students or something you wish you’d known?
Oh man, so many things. I guess, there is always time for laughter. Don’t take yourself or you classes too seriously that you stop enjoying your learning. Your best work comes when you actually enjoy doing.
Dylan Johnson
Bachelor of Arts
Major: Classical Humanities
What kinds of academic experiences did you enjoy most during college?
I really enjoyed the process of learning Latin. Its amazing how only a few years ago I had no knowledge of the subject, but now can read texts in the original language without too much trouble.
Is there something within your Classics experience that you did enjoy best?
I really enjoyed professor McKeown’s course on ancient warfare, he has such a wealth of knowledge and had so many interesting stories to tell us every day.
Any advice for continuing students or something you wish you’d known?
Take your time to explore your interests and find something that you love, there’s no rush.
Future plans?
No clue! I’d like to be able to do something creative. For now I am just exploring my options and trying to get by.
Brody W. Manquen
Bachelor of Arts
Majors: Cartography and Geographic Information Systems, Classical Humanities
Certificates: Archaeology & European Studies
What kinds of academic experiences did you enjoy most during college?
I most enjoyed immersive learning experiences such as field-work and lab-work. I had the opportunity to participate in an archaeological dig at Cerveteri, Italy, where I learned much about early Roman conquest of Etruria through excavation and on-site lectures. I also had the opportunity to work in geography labs for my Cartography and GIS major, where I got to help collect and analyze various sorts of geographic data.
Is there something within your Classics experience that you did enjoy best?
My favorite Classics course was paleography with Professor McKeown. It was a small class of four, where we spent an hour sitting with McKeown looking over and deciphering old manuscripts in the Classics library. It was light-hearted and always a good time.
Any advice for continuing students or something you wish you’d known?
It took me until my junior year to figure out that most of academia is pursuing a weird, niche interest. Go talk to your professors about your weird, niche interests, they’ll often be receptive and point you in a good direction for further study.
Abigail Klein
Bachelor of Arts
Majors: Anthropology & Classical Humanities
Certificate: Archaeology
Davis Klund
Bachelor of Science
Major: Economics
Certificates: Classical Studies & European Studies
Alexander Kohler
Bachelor of Arts
Major: Classical Humanities
Certificate: Art History
Ben Rackovan
Bachelor of Science
Major: Biochemistry
Certificate: Classical Studies