Texas Tech University

Featured Alumni: Undergraduate Program Testimonials

Pranathi Bingi

Bingi

Major: B.S. in Microbiology, Chemistry Minor, Psychology Minor; fulfilled Foreign Language requirement with Latin Graduation: May 2021
Post-Graduation Plans: STEM MBA at the Texas Tech University Rawl's College of Business, Summer 2021. Medical School at the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center School of Medicine, Fall 2022.

Testimonial:
Studying Classics at Texas Tech was a challenging yet rewarding experience. The extreme attention to detail necessary for success in these classes will be transferable to all of my future endeavors. Additionally, my Latin coursework played a crucial part in developing my critical thinking skills throughout my undergraduate experience. Although the pandemic prevented in-person coursework, I was still able to engage in thoughtful conversation with my classmates. I am thankful for my experience in the program and the skills I will utilize for the rest of my life.

Kristin Dupree

dupree

Major: B.A. in Classics, Latin Minor
Graduation: May 2019
Post-Graduation Plans:
M.A. in Classics at the University of New Mexico, Fall 2019

Testimonial:
Studying Classics at Texas Tech has truly been an amazing experience, and I am so grateful to have been able to further my education here. Professors and graduate students have always gone above and beyond to support and encourage me. I definitely will not forget anyone anytime soon!

Colby Gordon

Gordon

Major: B.A. in Chemistry and Biology, Pi Squared Undergraduate Research Program - Classics
Graduation: May 2020
Post-Graduation Plans:
M.S. in Health Professions, University of Texas Medical Branch - Galveston, Spring 2020.

Testimonial:
My experience with Latin and the Classics was different than most. All of my course studies were in Biology and Chemistry, yet I had interest in researching ancient antiquity and its connection to medicine. Through the Honors Undergraduate Research Program in Inquiry and Investigation (Pi Squared Program), I was able to find my mentor, Dr. Zinn, in the Classics department, and got to do this work. Her guidance and this experience opened my eyes to other forms of academic studies and opportunities. I was able to grow as a person, academic, and researcher in ways I hope to apply to a career in medicine one day. The skills I learned and the memories I made will get to stay with me for life.

Hunter Kowalick

Kowalick

Major: B.A. in Political Science and B.G.S. in General Studies, Concentrations in Classics, English, and History
Graduation: May 2021
Post-Graduation Plans: Boston College Law School, Fall 2021

Testimonial:
Some of my favorite classes at Texas Tech have been through the Classics department. As a pre-law student and lover of all things ancient, I wanted to gain exposure to the field of Classics and pursue an interdisciplinary study of law, politics, literature, and philosophy. I will forever be grateful for the amazing professors who have helped me integrate my interests into my Classics education. From studying the ancient political dynamics of Athens to reading Cicero's orations to the Roman Senate in the original Latin, I have found ways to supplement my studies in Political Science with a concentration in Classics every step of the way. Of course, my Latin education will surely prove to be useful as I begin to study law as well.

Eddie Martinez III

Martinez III

Major: B.S. in Kinesiology, Nutritional Sciences Minor; fulfilled Foreign Language requirement with Latin
Graduation: May 2021
Post-Graduation Plans: Summer internship: San Antonio Sports, Summer 2021. M.S. in Exercise and Movements Sciences, University of Memphis, Fall 2021. My career goals are to perform research on performance running footwear, hopefully for a running shoe company (Brooks, Nike, Adidas, etc.).

Testimonial:
I took four years of Latin classes while in high school, and I enjoyed every part of it. I already had some Latin credit going into college, so I only needed to take one course in Latin to fulfill my credit. I put off taking this credit, however, because I was extremely nervous my Latin skills would not carry over smoothly. It was not until I was in class that I realized these fears were for nothing. Not only did my prior years of Latin serve me well, but my professor was also an outstanding help. It did not matter if it was grammar, rhetorical devices, or historical information, my professor was always willing and eager to help anyone in need. Even though I only took one semester of Latin, I enjoyed my experience very much. I will always appreciate that I had the immense honor of studying the Classics, and I know it will continue to help me in more ways than I can count. I owe a massive ‘Gratias' to the Texas Tech Classics Program!

Ethan Mickna

Mickna

Major: B.S. in Cell and Molecular Biology, Chemistry Minor, Latin Minor
Graduation: May 2020
Post-Graduation Plans:
Gap Year, followed by M.S. in Molecular Pathology

Testimonial:
I came to Texas Tech with no plans of continuing my study of Classics from high school, but the community of this passionate program brought me back into my love for the Latin language. The thoughtful discussions of ancient civilizations and their languages gave me a kind respite from my other studies, and I truly believe all I have learned and experienced will translate well into my future endeavors. I am thankful to all my professors who have shared their passion for Classics with those willing to learn.

Chloe Morris

morris

Major: B.A. in Classics, Latin Minor
Graduation: December 2018
Post Graduation Plans:
M.A. in Classical Art and Archaeology at Kings College, London, Fall 2019

Testimonial:
Studying Classics at Texas Tech has provided me with many invaluable experiences, including traveling to Italy with the Libarna Urban Landscapes Project, and serving as the president of the Classical Society. The close knit community of professors and students in the department has created an environment of encouragement and support, which has prepared me to continue my studies in an MA program.

Kwame Opoku

test2

Major: B.S. in Biochemistry, Biology Minor; fulfilled Foreign Language requirement with Latin
Graduation: May 2019 
Post Graduation Plans:
Medical School at the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center School of Medicine, Fall 2019

Testimonial:
Taking part in the TTU Classics program, and specifically the Latin program, during my time as an undergrad was a great and rewarding experience. The Latin program was able to illustrate for me the beauty and relevance of the Classics in today's modern age, while also granting me the opportunity to further develop my critical thinking skills as well as make wonderful friends along the way. I know that much of the knowledge and skills that I have gained from this program will translate over to my future career goals, and I am so thankful to have been a part of it all. The experience I had with this program will be one that I will always cherish and remember.

Maxwell Parsons

Parsons

Major: B.A. in Psychology, Sociology Minor; fulfilled Foreign Language requirement with Latin
Graduation: May 2020
Post Graduation Plans:
M.S. Criminology, University of Texas at Dallas, Fall 2020

Testimonial:
TTU Classics brings with it many challenges and experiences. There are a copious amount of students, including myself, who are insecure about studying a foreign language. It was difficult to appreciate the opportunities I was given at the time, because I was compelled to study and view things in a different way. However, I do not believe there was a more impactful program during my undergraduate education. Studying Latin presented with it a rich history, and an appreciation of the language and the interrelation of other languages. In retrospect, I genuinely enjoyed and value my experience with the TTU Classics program and I am excited to apply what I have learned in my later education.

Abigail Raef

test2

Major: B.A. in Classics, Latin Minor
Graduation: May 2019 
Post Graduation Plans:
Medical School at the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Fall 2019

Testimonial:
My story is quite unique: while my goal was to attend medical school, I wanted to spend my undergrad years studying something I was passionate about. Majoring in the Classics has allowed me to accomplish both. My Classics professors supported and encouraged me in the classroom, in my personal life, and in my medical school application process, and my humanities education has prepared me to think critically and inquire curiously--skills I will use not only in my career as a physician, but in the rest of my life as well.

Martin Ritter

Ritter

Major: B.A. in Classics, Math Minor
Graduation: May 2021
Post-Graduation Plans: Professional editing and publishing.

Testimonial:
Coming from STEM, I was surprised to find a department run by conscientious people, who were as invested in my achievement and well-being as I was. With the tutelage of this community of engaging and approachable professors and grads, I was not only able to adjust from STEM to humanities, but found a niche where I could grow my research skills far beyond my expectations. I found a genuine love for the history and language, and professors that were as excited as I was at every opportunity to plunge a little deeper into the material and its continuing impact in the modern world. Moving to Classics was one of the best decisions I've made, and I am sincerely thankful for the opportunity to restart my love for research and exploring new cultures.

Megan Simmons

test2

Major: B.A. in English, Psychology Minor; fulfilled Foreign Language requirement with Latin
Graduation: May 2019 
Post Graduation Plans:
Dedman School of Law, Southern Methodist University, Fall 2019

Testimonial:
Latin has been surprisingly a very pleasant experience for me. I was not looking forward to taking so many foreign language hours, but every semester I was amazed by the connections I found between the Latin I learned and my other courses. Not only has my writing improved, but I have come to realize just how much legal terminology derives from Latin, and I am looking forward to using my knowledge of the language to further my law career. Even though I had very negative expectations and fears about learning a language, I know that I have been positively effected by my experiences in my Latin courses, and I am thankful for all they have taught me.

Marisa Laree Stephens

Stephens

Major: B.A. in Classics - Ancient Greek Emphasis, B.S. in Kinesiology
Graduation: December 2020
Post Graduation Plans:
Special collection library work with the Remnant Trust; in the longer term, M.A. in Classics.

Testimonial:
My adventure into Classics started with a foreign language requirement, which I fulfilled by taking on the task of comprehensively learning Attic Greek. The Classics department at TTU instantly stole my heart as I began finding myself relaxing from my other science-based course work by translating Greek. Shortly after, I studied abroad with The American School of Classical Studies in Athens. Studying abroad was a life altering experience as I emersed myself completely in the modern and ancient Greek cultures. Working closely with the guidance of a member of the TTU Classics faculty, I was able to develop my seminar research term paper for publication by Stanford University's Undergraduate Classics Journal, Aisthesis. Deciding to pursue my B.A. with the TTU Classics staff and faculty was the most positively influential decision of my college academic career.

Joe Vance

Vance

Major: B.A. in Psychology, Chemistry Minor; fulfilled Foreign Language requirement with Latin (placed into intermediate level)
Graduation: May 2021
Post-Graduation Plans: M.A. in Social Sciences, University of Chicago, Fall 2021 - followed by doctoral studies and an academic career in cognitive neuroscience.

Testimonial:
Prior to my exposure to the TTU Classics program, I had taken nine years of Latin from third to eleventh grade. I was ambivalent towards Latin; it was never more than a language requirement and my involvement with Junior Classical League was not much more than a social activity. Because of this, I wasn't very enthusiastic about completing my language requirement, so I put it off until my senior year. However, in my two semesters of Latin at Texas Tech, I began to understand what all the people at those JCL conventions were so passionate about. Through activities like the textual criticism assignments for Cicero and Catullus, I grew acquainted with a multi-layered textual preservation effort spanning centuries. Through the study of Petronius, I learned things about the cultural setting of Neronian Rome that I never would have guessed. And in my favorite unit, through thorough textual analysis of his Metamorphoses, I felt like I understood Ovid, a man who died two thousand years ago, on a personal level. None of this would have been possible without my professor's deep enthusiasm for the content and genuine care for her students. I cannot recommend the Classics program at Texas Tech enough.

Rebecca Vollene

Vollene

Major: B.A. in Classics, B.A. in History
Graduation: December 2019
Post Graduation Plans:
M.S. in Library and Information Science, University of North Texas, Spring 2020

Testimonial:
The Classics department truly changed the trajectory of my academic career. I originally came to Tech as an English major and signed up to take La n my first semester for my language fulfillment. I fell so in love with the language, the history, and the department that I changed my major that semester to double in Classics and History. Being a Classics student reignited my passion for learning and the research I completed there is some of my proudest work. I decided to pursue a Masters for academic library work because I want to be a research librarian for History and Classics, so that I can help other students find sources that makes their research feel complete. I'll be eternally grateful for everything I learned in the department, for the amazing and caring professors, and for the wonderful way it molded my future.

CMLL Classics

  • Address

    CMLL Building, 2906 18th St, Lubbock, TX 79409
  • Phone

    806.742.3145