Department of Classical Studies Vanderbilt College of Arts and Science Vanderbilt University

Eta Sigma Phi

Daniel Solomon, Elizabeth De Angelo (Chrysophylax), Beverley Nelson (Hyparchos), and Sarah Best (Prytanis), Bronwen Wickkiser

On December 3, 2011, Profs. Daniel Solomon and Bronwen Wickkiser inducted three new officers into the revived Vanderbilt chapter of Eta Sigma Phi, our honorary collegiate society for students of Latin and/or Greek.  Sarah Best, Bev Nelson, and Liz De Angelo were solemnly sworn into their new positions during an elaborate initiation that evoked both the history and the responsibilities of this national organization.  The ceremony began in Cohen Memorial Hall, where the students were formally initiated; it then moved onto the Nashville Parthenon, where at the foot of Athena they learned more about the traditions of the honors society, and then the ritual concluded in the Parthenon Treasury, where the initiates were formally recognized as officers.

The purposes of the Society, in the words of the Constitution, are "to develop and promote interest in classical study among the students of colleges and universities; to promote closer fraternal relationship among students who are interested in classical study, including inter-campus relationship; to engage generally in an effort to stimulate interest in classical study, and in the history, art, and literature of ancient Greece and Rome."

In Spring 2012, the officers will induct a fourth colleague, Leah Schoel, and they will then invite other eligible undergraduates to join.  To be considered for Eta Sigma Phi, a student must have taken at least three Latin and/or Greek courses at Vanderbilt, maintaining a minimum B+ average in courses counted toward the major.  The national society sponsors meetings and competitions, and it offers scholarships for travel to Greece and Rome, as well as incentives for further study and teaching in Classics (for more information, see http://www.etasigmaphi.com).

The local chapter will organize events to bring together majors, minors, and anyone at Vanderbilt interested in the classical world.  Check out their new Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Eta-Sigma-Phi-Psi-Chapter/262145493828098