MC commended for Latin education program

By: Ashley Nuzzo
Contributing Writer

The Monmouth College Latin secondary education program has recently gained national recognition from “U.S. News and World Report.”   The “Report” organized the top 14 Latin education programs in the United States in its 2008 “Best American Colleges” issue. The schools are ranked based on qualities of their programs, like: post-graduation job placement, retention and program requirements. 

Monmouth College made the list, which also included the University of Illinois.  The honor seems very impressive for such a small school and a small program to gain such recognition. “It’s quite amazing how they’ve taken a small program and made it nationally recognized,” stated William Urban, professor of history and international studies. Nicholas Dobson, an assistant professor of classics, believes that the professors, most notably Thomas Sienkiewicz, Capron Professor of Classics, make the program strong. Dobson also thinks students come to Monmouth College and find the program; they do not find Monmouth College because of the program, which reinforces the idea that the faculty and the opportunities they offer make the program a passion for the students. Dobson is in his second semester of teaching at Monmouth and admits that he decided to teach here because he was welcomed and encouraged by Sienkiewicz. 

Latin has been part of the curriculum offered at Monmouth since its founding in 1853.  Today, Latin is part of the classics department, and students are certified by the Illinois State Board of Education. There are only approximately 10 students currently in the Latin education program, but these students are very important overall, as there is a shortage of Latin educators in the United States.

Lisa Adams, an alumna who graduated from Monmouth College last year, quickly found a job teaching Latin at Batavia High School. With international communication becoming more important every day, most students interested in learning another language opt for Spanish, Japanese or French.  These languages are more useful for students studying business, and Spanish is also very helpful for future teachers because there are more Spanish-speaking immigrants entering the United States education system every day.  

Urban believes it is the people here at Monmouth College that make the program as strong as it is. When asked about the program, Urban commented, “It’s the people. The program is innovative, but it requires extra effort. The staff gives this willingly, not only in the classroom, but in out-of- class activities, on campus and overseas.” 

The classics program encourages students to travel overseas and use Latin to study classics and archaeology. The program requires candidates to complete the necessary secondary education requirements as well as 32 credit hours in Latin.  Monmouth College also offers The Capron Room, a resource library with various multimedia options, maps and display cases which competes to be one of the best classics resources in the state.