Five U of A students of ancient Greek and Latin traveled to St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minnesota, to take part in the annual meeting of Eta Sigma Phi, the national undergraduate honors society.

This year Charis Morasch, a Fulbright College sophomore, served as the organization's national treasurer. At this year's meeting, she nominated and campaigned for Kailee Rowe, another U of A Latin student, who won election to the same office. In her new position, Rowe will take care of the organization's finances and get to travel to the national convention of the United States' prestigious professional organization, the Society for Classical Studies, in San Francisco in January 2026.

In addition, Morasch won the first prize in the national Latin Declamation contest, reciting in Latin a passage by Cicero on the importance of the arts. The prize was a cash award.

The Arkansas students also formed a team and took part in a college-bowl style competition called CERTAMEN (Latin for "contest"), naming themselves RAZORBACCHAE. Team members were U of A students Emma Johnson, Kaitlyn Kinnaird, Kailee Rowe and Dylan Young. The team made a good showing in the competition, correctly answering many questions, and showing an excellent understanding of spoken Latin. Daniel Levine, U of A University Professor of classical studies and a trustee of Eta Sigma Phi, presided over this competition.

U of A undergraduate Latin student Young served as a member of the Resolutions Committee. He worked on the draft of the report and presented his contribution at the conference's final business meeting.

The Arkansas students applied for and won funding for their travel with a Rudolph Masciantonio Divdrsity Outreach Grant from Eta Sigma Phi.

Dave Fredrick, chair of classical studies and faculty adviser for the local RSO chapter, said, "Our Beta Pi chapter of Eta Sigma Phi has a long tradition of enthusiastic participation in the national convention and service to the organization. We could not be more proud of our students and their commitment to the value of studying classical antiquity with open hearts and minds."

The U of A students hope to bring another Arkansas delegation to next year's conference, which will be at Truman State University in Kirksville, Missouri.

About Eta Sigma Phi

Eta Sigma Phi is an honorary collegiate society for students of Latin and/or Greek. Members are elected by local chapters that have been chartered by the society.

HISTORY
Eta Sigma Phi had its beginning in 1914, when a group of students in the Department of Greek at the University of Chicago organized an undergraduate classical club to which honor students in Greek and Latin were elected to membership. This organization later united with a similar organization at Northwestern University and became Eta Sigma Phi. In 1924, the society became national, and chapters were organized at leading colleges and universities. The society was incorporated in 1927 under the laws of the state of Illinois.

PURPOSE
The Constitution of Eta Sigma Phi states that the purposes of the society 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."

ELIGIBILITY
Local chapters are chartered at liberal arts colleges and universities which are on the accredited list of the Association of American Universities or the recognized regional accrediting agency. Normally the institution will offer a major in Classics.