Classical Charleston – a New Tradition on Campus

On Friday, Feb 3, the annual ‘Classical Charleston‘ lecture series came to a close. In typical fashion, the speakers represented some the leading voices in this year’s theme on the power of historical writing to form (and transform) cultural perspectives.

Over the past 6 years, the Department of Classics and a variety of partners have brought to campus leading scholars to speak upon topics of interest to the wider community. This year’s theme is firmly placed among past topics such as:

  • the role of Classics within historical black colleges and civil rights
  • redefining the idea of the liberal arts
  • perspectives on Athenian democracy

The Department is thankful for those friends and associates who make this event a recognized feature within the intellectual landscape of the College.  In particular, the Theodore Guérard family and contributors to the Department’s General fund directly impact the Department’s capacity to develop this lecture series and other programmatic and scholarly contributions.

Lucia Johnson and Edward Vest Inducted into Bishop Robert Smith Society

In a College ceremony held on Wednesday, September 28, Lucia Johnson and Edward Vest were inducted into the prestigious Bishop Robert Smith Society at the College of Charleston.  Membership in the Society is reserved for those giving over 1,000,000 to the College.

The Johnson-Vests are long-time supporters and friends of Classics at the College. Lucia was an alumna of the College and a dedicated Latin teacher. Lucia and Edward created the Johnson-Vest Scholarship in 1995 in order to encourage the study Latin and Greek, especially those studying to become Latin teachers. Every year many Classics majors benefit from their Scholarship’s generous support. This year’s recipients are pictured below with members of the Johnson-Vest family at the ceremony.

On behalf of the Classics Department, faculty, and students, I want to thank Lucia and Edward for their generosity.

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Pat, Darlene, and Steven Johnson (representing the Johnson-Vest family) with President McConnell. The plaque in the background carries the names of Lucia Johnson and Edward Vest (second down from the top right).

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2016-2017 Johnson-vest Scholarship winners with Pat and Darlene Johnson

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Steven, Pat, and Darlene Johnson in the Classics Cast Museum