| As
we hear from our alumni and friends of the Classics department,
we will post updates about them on this page. Please send along
any information you'd like to share! |
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| Graham
Johnson '02 |
People
always found it a little strange that I graduated Skidmore as a
Business Major and a Classics Minor. I couldn't be happier with
my decision to graduate on both ends of the spectrum. I feel as
though it has made we well-rounded and enabled me to think outside
the everyday routine of the business world. People always seem to
be impressed with my background given that I studyed Roman History
and Cost Accounting at the same time. One of the main things I learned
from my experience at Skidmore is that you do not have to be locked
down to one area such as business or English. You can broaden your
horizons and gain experience in ways you didn't think were possible
at the start of your college career. |
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| Meg
Breuer '98 |
As
a PhD student, I have to say that studying Classics at Skidmore
was an extremely important experience for me. Studying ancient Greek
writing, especially, has helped me a great deal when learning other
languages, as I am now endeavoring to learn Dutch! Without that
knowledge, practice, and hard work I would never be able to get
by in a foreign land (in a foreign tongue!). Also, being a Classics
major at Skidmore meant working hard because of the focus of the
professors on the students. Classes were never larger than a handful
of students, and I really enjoyed the almost one-on-one guidance
I received. Not only did I learn more, but I learned how to be a
better student. And that, I think, is more important than anything
else. |
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| Ellen
Manyon '84 |
It
gave me a great foundation for the rest of my studies in history.
Latin helped with writing. A classics backgorund also helped me
to understand the Victorian-aged poeple I interpet in the museum
world, because that is the kind of education they received. |
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| Jill
Mariani '00 |
All
the lessons I learned on analytical, critical thinking and articulate,
active writing in the classics curriculum, I now employ in my teaching
and classroom. To the utmost of my ability, I try to convey those
same lessons of effective writing and passion for a subject to my
students that I absorbed and incorporated in my life from the attentive
direction of the classics instructors. Additionally, I try to make
my students see that literature, philosophy, war tactics etc...
of the past are alive and well today in our society. |
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| Jeffrey
Bussmann '03 |
Now
I deal with Latin on a daily basis! |
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| Heidi
(Ritz) Cohen '94 |
The
first thing i can think of to say is that in all honesty, I think
being a classics major definitely got me into my masters program
and my first job. Ok, maybe not the actual job, but definitely the
interview. Most people don't come across a classics major in their
resume piles and i think it peaked a lot of curiosity. More importantly,
i think it also showed a well-rounded, interdisciplinary education
and a level of scholarship that others may not have had. |
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| Erica
(Anderson) Jerome '92 |
For
me, college was always about a liberal arts education. Everything
I do on my job I learned on the job, it's not rocket science. But
learning how to think has greatly increased my aptitude for approaching
problems, finding creative solutions and ESPECIALLY managing people.
I teach my subordinates in the socratic method all of the time and
I think of myself as the philospher king of my group, as though
I have a greater responsibility in my role as a leader. |
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| Jonathan
Fry '98 |
Studying
in the Classics department at Skidmore helped determine my first
steps out of college. I entered into the graduate program in History
at the University of Chicago in which I used my undergraduate training
in Greek and Roman history and languages extensively. I'd count
those classes among my fondest memories of Skidmore. Since then,
I've still maintained a strong interest in the classical world in
my reading, hobbies and travels. I think it says something that,
when touring the British Museum for the first time recently, facts
and impressions from classes I took 5-8 years ago sprang to mind
as if I've learned them yesterday. I think training
in the Classics supplies one with a framework for viewing our society
and understanding many of its roots and core values. It's also a
lot of fun. |
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| Megan
Sullivan '98 |
Classics
definitely fed my love for reading and learning. It gave me a strong
foundation for understanding modern works and it sure helps in my
current line of work--deciding what books to carry for a mostly
academic bookstore. I still read books on Classics even though I
am no longer in school, In fact, I wrote and posted a recommend
for a book on Cicero and tons of people bought it! |
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| Jennifer
Kniffin '93 |
Well,
obviously lots as I've been teaching Latin for 11 years! (I wish
now that I had taken every classics course available at Skidmore...)
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| Jane
(Baldwin) Henzerling '97 |
I
actually reflected quite a bit on that question yesterday and realized
that my studies in the field of Classics have enhanced my ability
to tackle complex issues. Because Classics is truly an interdisciplinary
field encompassing the cultural, historical, linguistic, literary,
political, socio-economic, religious, and scientific aspects of
civilization, it shaped my approach to issues I face in my work
with Teach For America, specifically the issue of educational inequity.
Education itself is a complex network of interrelated facets of
our society, and I believe studying Classics aided me in viewing
those facets through both holistic and analytical lenses. I am better
able to identify and address the multi-dimensional range of causes
and effects that lead to educational inequity thanks to my work
in Classics. Thank you for providing challenging academic opportunities
to me and to all Skidmore Classics students. |
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| Laurie
Blackwood '83 |
The
study of Classics has always supported me in my commitment to live
and work according with my values, to always attempt to see from
many perspectives, and to make choices with my heart as guide. One
of the greatest gifts of studying Classics seems to be this love
I continue to feel for the complexity and beauty of language. Helga
Doblin and Harry Gaugh (art history professor) always encouraged
our involvement as whole human beings in all realms of life. In
my work in the holistic realm of healthcare and rehabilitation,
it is helpful to work in that same spirit, supporting people to
think outside the lines, to innovate, to feel, to trust their inner
knowing. |
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| Emily
Meyer Sacks '83 |
BA
double major in Classical Studies and Studio Art. 1986 MA Teachers
College/Columbia University in Secondary Ed. History. 2000 New Seminary
NYC, graduate ordained Interfaith Minister Holistic practitioner
(Greek and Latin helped me learn all the common names and homeopathic
remedies; thank you Dr. Doblin). My
work and studies with Dr. Lewis (EN), Dr. Doblin (CL), Dr. Diggory
(EN), Michael Moore (CL), Dr. Gaugh (AH) and Dr. Brynteson (HI)
are never far from my thoughts or my heart. I thank them for giving
us the interdisciplinary soul that runs throughout Classical Studies
and life. I
married Joshua Sacks - also a member of '83 - who took and valued
the many Classics courses he took at Skidmore. We live in CT and
have 3 children: 16 year-old James, 13 year-old Hallie and 11 year-old
Will. |
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| Susan
Decker Thomas '82 |
Classics
was a VERY small department in 1982, and my major coursework actually
came from several different areas. So many professors were involved
and interested, and willing to spend extra time and effort by creating
and leading independent study courses (I actually took 5 independent
studies!) Very active in the department were professors from other
areas - Terence Diggory, Bill Brynteson, Tom Lewis - to name just
a few. Michael Moore had just arrived when I was there, but his
love of the Homeric Hymns, and his wonderful voice and meter, were
always a pleasure to listen to and learn from. (Bill Brynteson would
be appalled by those dangling participles, but thanks to him, my
writing is completely free of the passive voice!) From each of these
wonderful professors, I gained a sense of the development of western
thought and culture that has served me well in whatever intellectual
endeavor I choose to explore. I hope that the tradition continues
and expands .... |
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