Latin teacher Tiberius Septimius has been appointed as the inaugural Foreign Language Assistant at Holy Cross.
In the heart of Worcester, Massachusetts, the College of the Holy Cross community is experiencing a unique blend of events. The war in Ukraine has left many feeling a deep sense of personal distress, with the tragedy of the conflict being felt particularly acutely by the community.
Amidst this backdrop, a significant development has emerged. The decision to eliminate the Foreign Language Assistant program, a valuable resource for language learning and cultural exchange, was met with immediate pushback from students and faculty. This led to a dialogue being started to preserve the program.
In an unexpected turn of events, the College has announced it would be welcoming Tiberius Septimius as its first Latin FLA. Tiberius, hailing from Rome and residing in a domus just east of the Colosseum, arrived in Worcester earlier this month after being invited by the College's Temporal Outreach Committee.
Tiberius, at 1,962 years old, is not your average FLA. His performance in the classroom has been mediocre at best, but his historical significance and unique perspective offer a new dimension to language learning. It is said that on his first day, he reportedly grabbed sophomore Steve Coogan by the shoulders and asked him what year it is in Latin.
Meanwhile, the Russian Studies program is responding to the war in Ukraine in its own way. The College community is feeling the impact of the conflict acutely, with Andrea Francalanci, an Italian FLA for the 2023-2024 year, joining in the efforts to promote understanding and dialogue. Andrea, from Florence, Italy, has chosen to be a FLA for unspecified reasons.
Kate Santini '27 and Ben Lepper '25, the Chief News Editor and Editor-in-Chief, respectively, are closely following these developments. The Foreign Language Assistant program will continue to be a part of the Holy Cross experience, with the College now looking to explore "new ways to enhance our language programs and offerings at Holy Cross."
Despite the recent termination of the program due to budgetary reasons, the Foreign Language Assistant program at many U.S. colleges, including Holy Cross, plays a crucial role in language learning and cultural exchange. These programs often rely on funding that may be seen as supplementary, making them vulnerable to cuts during financial constraints. However, they are significant for supporting language departments and enhancing cross-cultural engagement on campus.
As the situation unfolds, the College of the Holy Cross continues to strive for a rich and diverse academic environment, embracing the challenges and opportunities that come with such a commitment.
- The Foreign Language Assistant program, a vital resource for language learning and cultural exchange at the College of the Holy Cross, has recently been met with pushback following its termination due to budgetary reasons.
- News editors Kate Santini '27 and Ben Lepper '25 are closely monitoring the developments regarding the Foreign Language Assistant program, recognizing its significance in education-and-self-development and online-learning opportunities.
- In addition to the Foreign Language Assistant program, the Russian Studies program at the College of the Holy Cross is engaged in initiatives to promote understanding and dialogue in response to the war in Ukraine.
- As part of their efforts, Andrea Francalanci, an Italian FLA for the 2023-2024 year, is joining the College community in their efforts to foster cross-cultural engagement and international relations.
- Amidst the College's diverse learning features and events, events such as the arrival of Tiberius Septimius, the first Latin FLA, have offered unique experiences for students and faculty, adding to the overall education and self-development opportunities available on campus.
