Elon University's Class of 2024 included the first six students to graduate with the new interdisciplinary major
Elon University’s Class of 2024 included the first six students to graduate from the new classical studies major as a recognized interdisciplinary major, rather than as an independent major.
Introduced in 2021 as a standing course of study, the program focuses on the languages, history, cultures and far-reaching legacy of the Mediterranean world, and how its traditions continue to shape our modern world.
Graduates say they enjoyed the program’s flexibility, which allowed them to focus on their areas of interest. Chapin Epps ’24 said that, since classical studies is a broad field, students have the opportunity to explore a variety of disciplines and cater their studies to their interests.
Marissa Duffield ’24 says that through the major she was able to explore film, religion and gender constructs. Her favorite courses included “CLA 3700: Race and Ethnicity in the Ancient Mediterranean” and “CLA2250: The Ancient World in Cinema.”
“I almost transferred to another university halfway through my time at Elon; I ended up staying because there were still CLA courses I wanted to take,” Duffield said. “I switched my major to CLA my junior year and it was the best decision I made during my time at Elon.”
Graduates say the scope and structure of the program meant it complimented many fields. All of the graduating classical studies graduates had a minor that narrowed their focuses and many also double majored. Renée Driver ’24 double majored in classical Studies and anthropology. Driver’s research centered on translations of Sappho’s poetry and examining the importance of translator’s subjectivity and the implications of their work outside of academic circles.
“You have the power to make the major work for whatever interests you may have,” Driver said.
Ava Crawford ’24 double majored in classical studies and art history. She says pursuing the classical studies major allowed her to learn more about her personal and academic interests, including art, history, literature, religion, astronomy and languages. Crawford says the program showed her how much of the world is interconnected.
“Being in an interdisciplinary major has helped me make connections to other academic subjects and to my peers,” Crawford said.
Jasper Myers ’24 says the high attention to detail she has honed as a classical studies major has benefited all other aspects of her life. Myers described the program as “accessible, passionate and designed for the success of students.”
“Perfection is not the goal, learning is,” Myers said.
Driver describes her decision to major in classical studies as a “happy accident.” She was introduced to the program through a classical mythology course with Assistant Professor of Classical Languages Tedd Wimperis in her sophomore year.
“Dr. Tedd led us through the first few lines of the Iliad in the original Greek, and I immediately knew that I wanted more,” Driver said. “I approached him after class and asked if there were any Ancient Greek courses at Elon, and his response was that we could make one.”
Driver said the experience opened her eyes to the world of classical studies and worked with Kristina Meinking, professor of classical languages and program coordinator, to declare classical studies as a double major. Driver said Meinking helped her map out a four-year plan on a whiteboard in her office.
“I had met Dr. Meinking when I was here for fellows weekend interviewing for the honors program,” Driver said. “It was so funny and so fitting like it was sort of destiny that I’d made it all the way here and into the CLA program.”
Being a classical studies major, Driver said the program shapes how she approaches the world around her. She has learned how to find hidden perspectives, confidently present her work and explore connections between the ancient and modern world.
“CLA has been such an integral part of my college experience and I’m so grateful to have spent so much time with the faculty and other students in the last few years,” Driver said.