Res Gestae

Alpha Lambda (University of Oklahoma): For the Alpha Lambda chapter at the University of Oklahoma, the 2002-2003 school year has been replete with a number of exciting events. Many lectures and activities were sponsored in coordination with the OU Classics and Letters Society, the OU Speakers’ Bureau, and the Oklahoma Chapter of the Archaeological Institute of America. 

We began the fall semester with a fundraiser for Alpha Lambda chapter, selling used and donated books on Classical culture, languages, and the arts. We also assisted with and participated in the annual OU Classics Day event for area high school students, featuring Dr. B. F. Barcio as Fabius the Tribune in his riveting reenactment of a Roman soldier. 

As for lectures this year, we were privileged to hear scholar and past University of Oklahoma professor Tyler Jo Smith with "Ancient Greek as a Treat: Ancient Greek Pottery from the Everett Collection," a presentation on our university’s very own classics collection. We also enjoyed San Diego State University professor Joseph Smith’s "A Sit-Down Orgy for XIV and a Bride Within the Half Hour: Watching the Romans Eat Hollywood Food," presented in part with the OU Speakers’ Bureau. The Archaeological Institute of America lecture series introduced us to such interesting scholars as Michael Hoff from the University of Nebraska, who spoke on "Roman Athens: The Transformation into an Imperial City," and Dr. Thomas Paliama of the University of Texas lecturing on "The Human Element in the Mycenaean Bronze Age: Linear B Tablet-Writers." In addition, the Alpha Lambda chapter enjoyed many thought-provoking lectures during regular meetings, given by our own distinguished faculty members from the University of Oklahoma Classics, History, and Art History departments. 

We plan to close the 2002-2003 school year with a few more activities, not the least of which is the initiation of eight new members on April 9th and the election 

of new officers on April 23rd in anticipation of another great year for Eta Sigma Phi on the campus of the University of Oklahoma. 

Alpha Mu (University of Missouri, Columbia): Initiation: March 12, 2003; fifteen new members; three professors as honorary. Prytanis: Nora Frisch, Hyparchos: Jason Edmonds, Grammateus: Beth Donnelly, Chrysophylax: Andrea Benna. 

This is our first year back into Eta Sigma Phi; however, we have high hopes for excellent classical events, contests, and scholastic participation.

Beta Theta (Hampden-Sydney College): Last spring two of our members, Joshua Ellison and Austin Stracke, were honored with the David Wilson prize for proficiency and promise in the study of Greek, each receiving a book and a check for $500. This year’s prize will be given at final convocation on April 24.

In September the chapter joined the Department of Classics in sponsoring an illustrated lecture on "Arminius into Hermann: History into Legend" by Dr. Herbert W. Benario, Professor of Classics, Emeritus, at Emory University. 

We held our initiation ceremony on March 5, initiating six students as active members and two faculty members of the Department of Political Science, who have been studying second-year Greek, as honorary members. 

On May 3 members of the chapter will aid in welcoming members of the Classical Association of Virginia as they hold their semi-annual meeting on the Hampden-Sydney campus. 

We will be having a meeting soon to elect officers for next year. 

Beta Kappa (The College of Notre Dame of Maryland): Beta Kappa chapter of Eta Sigma Phi at the College of Notre Dame of Maryland has been very active this year. To raise funds for our activities, as well as for our scholarship fund, we held our annual Roman Raffle on October 19-26, 2002. On October 18 we were able to have "Ancient Rome Comes Alive" with the help of a grant from the Maryland Humanities Council.  Diane 

Werblo was our guest speaker/actress, who as a Roman clothier, gave a wonderful talk about Roman garments and life in ancient Rome. We had a wonderful turnout of over 150 guests, some of whom were happy to be incorporated into her presentation. 

On November 15 we held our annual Sister Mary Gratia Lecture. Our lecturer was Gladys Callahan Vocci, who entertained our guests with a "Whirlwind Armchair Tour of Italy." Gladys took us through Southern Italy and Sicily through her many slides and wonderful stories to accompany. Latin students were also pledged into Eta Sigma Phi after the presentation. 

In January our advisor, Sr. Thérèse Marie Dougherty, SSND, led a group of twenty through Southern Italy and Sicily.  Three members and one pledge were on the wonderful trip and brought back their many stories to share. One of the students received the Sr. Gratia Scholarship to go on the trip.

On March 16-23 we held our annual Maryland Classics Raffle. All proceeds from this spring raffle benefit the Sister Mary Gratia Scholarship Fund, which provides students with funding for an archaeological tour of Italy, Greece, or Turkey. Our fund-raising projects this  term allowed us to contribute $1500 to the fund. 

Our induction this year will be held on April 11, which will be followed by taking the newly inducted members out to dinner.  On April 15 we are having a  Latin Program for the 102-level Latin students in conjunction with Eta Sigma Phi. We will prepare a Roman meal, as well as have a guest speaker, Dorothea Thorne, who will talk about her experiences living near Roman ruins. And finally, on April 26 Eta Sigma Phi is sponsoring a trip to New York City. There will be a guided tour of the Ancient Art collection in the Met, followed by a day of sightseeing, shopping, and relaxation. 

Beta Nu (Mary Washington College): The Beta Nu chapter is proud to announce that it has doubled its membership since last year by holding two induction ceremonies in which nineteen people were initiated into our ranks. The Classics Department as a