The University of Mary Washington is celebrating the achievements of seven students who earned national accolades in this year’s National Latin Exam, joining the ranks of top scholars from across the world.
The students, taught by Adjunct Professor Elizabeth Heimbach and visiting Assistant Professor Rebecca Boyd, were awarded distinctions ranging from Cum Laude to the coveted Gold Summa Cum Laude honor. Mary Washington is uniquely positioned in this celebration as not only an academic institution excelling in classical studies, but as the home base of the National Latin Exam itself.
Samuel Pierce earned the highest mark, a gold medal, Summa Cum Laude. Dinah McKemie, Elena Shipp and Emma Greer each received silver medals, Maxima Cum Laude. Dylan Terrazas Chavez earned a Magna Cum Laude award, and Catherine Chau and Cameron Golitz received Cum Laude recognition.
The National Latin Exam – which is administered to more than 100,000 students each year in all 50 states and internationally – encourages the personal achievement of students studying Latin language and culture. Exam topics include Latin grammar and vocabulary, Roman history, customs, classical literature and mythology.
“I’m delighted our students have earned National Latin Exam’s highest awards this year,” said Professor of Classics Angela Pitts. “These results are a testament to the dedication of our students and the outstanding instruction they receive.”
The exam is sponsored by the American Classical League and administered through the home office based at UMW, which serves as the exam’s headquarters and administrative base.
The Mary Washington award-winners were recently surprised with certificates and medals, given to them by instructors who shared the good news personally. This was especially meaningful for Heimbach, who taught several of the honorees, and will retire at the end of this academic year after an esteemed career in secondary education and nearly two decades of teaching at Mary Washington.
“It’s a fitting finale for her to see her students shine on the national stage,” said Pitts. “UMW is proud to be home of this respected academic tradition and equally honored our students were recognized for their achievement.”
For more information, visit the National Latin Exam website or UMW’s Classics webpage.
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