Release Date: June 15, 2006

MONMOUTH, Ill. — Monmouth College junior Richard Harrod of Annapolis, Md., presented his paper “War Elephants of the Ancient World” and was elected to a national office at the annual Eta Sigma Phi convention, which was held earlier this spring in Blacksburg, Va.

Eta Sigma Phi is the national classics honorary society, and Monmouth’s Gamma Omicron chapter celebrated its 50th year on campus this spring.

“Richard received a lot of attention from his audience, especially when he described how elephants were not really afraid of mice but that the enemy sometimes set live pigs aflame in order to terrify war elephants,” said MC classics professor Tom Sienkewicz.

The paper, which was one of just three selected to be read at the national convention, was also named the 2005 Harold J. Ralston Award winner as the best original paper written on a classical theme at Monmouth College.

In addition, Harrod was elected national vice president (“megas hyparchos”) of Eta Sigma Phi.

Six Monmouth students attended the convention, and one of them, Lisa Adams, a junior from McHenry, won a Best Dressed Femina (Woman) contest. She wore one of the costumes that she made for the event.

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