NCLG

Which U.S. President could write Greek with one hand and Latin with the other at the same time?? (Oh, that old party trick?)

Two could, in fact. Garfield and Jefferson.

Welcome

Have you seen the new certificates designed by Katie Robinson for recognizing student participation in JCL and NLE? TAKE A LOOK!

Have you prepared for National Latin Teacher Recruitment Week, the first week in March? Downloadable materials are ready for your last minute efforts!

Did you know that the anthem for the European Union is in Latin?

Classica Africana and Classica Hispana brochures are now online! You can access the text or download brochures ready to print and use!

Check out the Latin Rocks List 2.0!

Not every parent is happy about a child majoring in classics. This father wasn't but perhaps should have been, considering the success his son is now. Maybe he never read the Top Ten Reasons to Study Classics!

"I am appalled, even horrified, that you have adopted Classics as a Major. As a matter of fact, I almost puked on the way home today. . . . I suppose everybody has to be a snob of some sort, and I suppose you will feel that you are distinguishing yourself from the herd by becoming a Classical snob. ... I think you are rapidly becoming a jackass, and the sooner you get out of that filthy atmosphere, the better it will suit me."

Ed Turner to his son Ted Turner, c. 1958, when the latter was a student at Brown University. FYI. Here's a list of famous classics majors kindly gathered and provided by the good folks at the University of Georgia.

Are you looking for information about:

• Why Study Latin, including Latin and SAT scores?

• classics and ethnic studies? The Classica Hispana and Classica Africana packet is now available.

• Information IN SPANISH (and English) about why the study of Latin is useful to Spanish speaking students?

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Top Ten Reasons to Study Classics

(source unknown, unfortunately)

10. "You acquire a certain logic and intuitive sense about language." -Newspaper editor

9. "Classics gives a perspective on life of beauty and greatness of the Roman and Greek cultures--arts, philosophy, literature, leadership, etc." -Owner of business consulting firm

8. "Improved vocabulary, confidence in front of people, better writing techniques. Key item: The discipline I learned has been a critical success factor, especially in the U.S. Military." -Retired military

7. "...strong vocabulary and the ability to write, two qualities which are sorely lacking in many medical students. Practically any term in medicine comes from Latin or Greek, which allows me to memorize complicated words or phrases more easily." -Medical student

6. "I found law school a breeze because of the discipline and hard work habits I developed in Classics. My awareness of linguistic processes and details is a constant strength in reading, and thinking." -Law school/Texas Legislature

5. "Classics taught me the value of discussion without argument; taught me to listen and appreciate other points of view." -Dentist

4. "Latin definitely has helped me. It implies some skills and character traits: attention to detail, knowledge of how languages work, good vocabulary, good writing skills, worldly outlook ...and maybe even wisdom." -Medical editor

3. "I appreciate having studied the Classics so much that I wish that I had the power to influence/persuade the curriculum writers in my district to make the study of Latin mandatory for all students who are seriously college bound. I see the study of Latin as one possible remedy for the plummeting SAT verbal scores." -English teacher

2. "Because of its great breadth for embracing as it does logical thinking, precise analysis, lucid expression and with its overview of human thought and development, history, economics, business and politics, Classics constitutes the single best preparation in general sense for almost any of life's available pursuits!" -Founder of a middle school

AND THE NUMBER ONE REASON IS: Impressive credentials for any kind of job!

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List of Famous Classics Majors

• Jerry Brown, Mayor of Oakland (former Governor of CA)
• William Cohen, Secretary of Defense during Clinton administration
• Lynn Sherr, correspondent, ABC-TV's "20-20"
• James Baker, former Secretary of State
• Ted Turner, founder of CNN, Turner Broadcasting, etc.
• Robert Graves, poet
• Willa Cather, teacher, journalist, critic, and author
• Rita Mae Brown, animal enthusiast and author
• W.E.B. DuBois, sociologist, co-founder of NAACP, and author
• Toni Morrison, author and winner of Nobel Prize for Literature-1993
• Gerda Lerner, pioneer in teaching women's history and author
• Chuck Geschke, former CEO and co-founder of Adobe Systems
• Sigmund Freud, pioneer in psychoanalysis and author
• Jane Addams, social worker, founder of Hull House, winner of Nobel Peace Prize-1931
• Betty Friedan, found of NOW and author
• Nancy Vickers, president of Bryn Mawr College
• Friedrich W. Nietzsche, philosopher and author
• Teller of Penn and Teller, Magicians

And add at least one more:

• J. K. Rowling, author of the Harry Potter novels

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since 12/2/99