Sophie - RA Introduction

Salvete omnes! My name is Sophie (Sophia in lingua Latina)(she/her/ea/eam), and I’m beyond thrilled to be one of your RAs this summer!

This will be my first time returning to GLA since my time as a student in MMXX. Even though we were online that year due to quarantine (there are quite a few memes on the MMXX blog that were my doing), I had such a wonderful experience that I knew I had to come back and experience Randolph-Macon in person.

I’m a recent graduate of Wellesley College in Massachusetts, where I majored in Classical Civilization and Biology. One of my most treasured memories was studying abroad at the Intercollegiate Center for Classical Studies in Rome. I also spent a summer excavating a Mycenaean tomb site in Boeotia, Greece, where I’ll be returning for a bit this summer before making my way to GLA. I'd love to answer and and all questions about majoring in Classics or archaeology or studying abroad!

My elective is Tangible Texts. The idea for this elective emerged from my thesis work this year. In my project, I recreated ancient writing materials and explored how the materiality of these objects influences authors’ perceptions of the writing and publishing process. I also examined how these materials impacted the texts themselves. Although we’re all here because we love ancient literature, we often give less thought to the creation, distribution, and survival of these works. I’ll talk more about this in my next blog post, but know that you all will have your own chance to work hands-on!

​Beyond Classics, I can usually be found hiking. One of my goals this summer is to finish the Shenandoah 500—a hiking challenge where you trek all 500+ miles of trails in Shenandoah National Park. I have less than 50 miles to go! I am also an avid arts and crafts lover: I knit, sew, and make gilded leather-bound versions of my favorite books. I’m also a die-hard Josh Groban fan, a lifelong lover of Studio Ghibli movies, and deeply enamored with my four pet cats.

I can’t wait to meet you all!
Valete,
Sophie :)