Re: "Why Study Greek?"

From: Edward Hobbs (EHOBBS@WELLESLEY.EDU)
Date: Wed Dec 15 1999 - 16:29:29 EST


Karen Pitts gave about as happy a response to this question as one could
wish. Let me add a short letter written to entering students at Wellesley
last summer by Lynn Sherr (well-known ABC News correspondent and one of the
biggies on "20/20").

-The letter---------

Dear About-to-be Wellesley Student:

        This is a chance for me to show you what studying classical Greek
can do for your life.
        I know because I was a Greek major at Wellesley. Yes, it baffled
my parents until the day I was graduated. Yes, it continues to strike
colleagues as quaint. And no, it is probably not why I got my job as a
correspondent with the ABC News program 20/20.
        But I'm awfully glad I did it. I think I'm a better writer for it.
I'm sure I understand language more intimately. And I know that no other
course would have allowed me to play a frog in Aristophanes' _The Frogs._
[performed in Greek--ech]
        In short, it was not only enlightening and exciting, it was fun.
Okay, I'll say it: Greek made me a better person. It'll do the same for
you. Give it a chance.

Sincerely,

Lynn Sherr

---------------------

As our department's letter added, "Our Greek students have made their
lvings in banks, operating rooms, courts, television studios, chapels,
newspaper offices, colleges--and submarines."

Edward Hobbs
Wellesley College

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