This year, the department’s Evangelia Davos prize was awarded to undergraduate student Marie Wei.

Each year, the prize Evangelia Davos Prize is awarded to the undergraduate major or minor in Classics whose work in Greek studies has been outstanding. This cash prize was established in 2007 by a gift from Peter Davos ’00, and is named in honor of his aunt.

Professor Josh Smith describes Marie’s work and presence in the Classics Department as follows: “I’ve had the privilege of teaching Marie in 3 language courses (Xenophon, Herodotus, Euripides), and in each context she has shown herself to be an exceptionally diligent and sensitive reader of Greek. Especially noteworthy is how Marie combines technical precision with vibrant imagination. Genitives of separation? Future less vivid conditions in indirect discourse? Subtle nuances in historiographical treatments of causality? Marie is here for all of it. What’s more, as a junior Marie has already completed our Greek program through the advanced level and satisfied all requirements to graduate with a degree in Classics. But don’t wish her a fond farewell just yet: Marie will return next year as a student in the Classics BA/MA program, with the promise of an original thesis exploring the reception of Spartan culture in early 20th-century China. Meanwhile, alongside her ambitious work in Classics she will also complete a degree in biology, a combination you’d call “Sisyphean,” were it not for the fact that Marie somehow manages to keep this giant rock moving uphill. For these reasons and more, Marie is a worthy recipient of the Davos Prize.”

Professor Matt Roller awarded Marie her prize at the department’s end-of-year celebration in the Gilman Atrium. Maria and Matt are pictured here with the Evangelia Davos award plaque in the departmental library.

Congratulations, Marie!