Kathy Krol
Latin major, 2009
Second-year resident in internal medicine/pediatrics, University of Rochester Strong Memorial Hospital

"From the first day I entered Latin class in 7th grade, I found myself drawn to this subject. I was challenged and intrigued by the authors and stories we read. My decision to continue studying Latin is what brought me to Franklin & Marshall College. But it was at F&M that I really began to see all that Latin could offer a student. I learned to write clearly with a new depth and skill in language arts and to think critically and examine information from more than one perspective before I formulate a conclusion. Latin also helped me expand my vocabulary and master the jargon of the sciences. My ability to interconnect Latin with the sciences and medicine has been the topic of multiple medical school and residency interviews. As a physician, I still rely on the critical thinking skills learned while styding Latin as I try to diagnose and treat patients. Patients provide physicians with the pieces of the story known as their health, but it is the physician's job to take that information, organize and analyze it in order to effectively treat a patient much like organizing a Latin sentence to understand the full story. Further, my ability to teach and present clinical cases has been enhanced by the study of Latin."

Katherine attended The Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine in Hershey, Pennsylvania. She graduated in 2013 after being awarded membership in Alpha Omega Alpha, the national medical honor society. She is currently a second-year resident in internal medicine-pediatrics at the University of Rochester, Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester, N.Y.

Julia Hughes
Latin major,  2009
Digital Program Director,  iHeartMedia

“Majoring in Classics at F&M was one of the best decisions I ever made for my career. It is the reason I landed my first job interview after college, as the hiring manager, after reading my resume, wanted to know why I chose to major in Latin. As I've moved forward, the writing and critical thinking skills my classics studies gave me have helped me to stand out in the business world and succeed every step of the way.”

Julia was recently hired as Digital Program Director of iHeartMedia Charlotte. Read more. 

Marcia Abeloff
Latin major, 2009
Latin Teacher, Moravian Academy

“I wasn’t quite sure where my Classics major would land me, but I knew I wanted to share my passion for the classical world with others.  I get to do that everyday as a middle school Latin teacher at Moravian Academy Middle School in Bethlehem, PA.  I started at Moravian Academy in September of 2009.  Since 2009, our Latin program has grown and flourished.  Latin is a mandatory class for all middle school students.  I teach all 173 of them why it is important to study Latin. 

Some students like it so much that they continue to study Latin with me over the summer in my “Latin Camp.”  I also host a summer camp called “In the Day of a Life of a Roman,” where I have the opportunity to share my interest for Roman culture.  Learning doesn’t stop at the middle school level, however.  During the summer, I teach Latin to 9th-12th graders for Reading High School’s Upward Bound program, with a focus on building their vocabulary for the SATs.  Many of my 12th graders look to continue their Latin studies at the college level. Majoring in Latin at Franklin and Marshall College was the best decision I have ever made, and I am glad I get to share it each and every day!”

Elizabeth Drialo
Latin minor, 2010
Ph.D. student /English Literature,
Durham University

“Having a minor in Latin from F&M has often made my CV stand out. While I majored in English, my Latin minor has always prompted questions such as, ‘Why did you choose Latin?’ and ‘How is it applicable today?’ I am, of course, happy to answer. In studying Latin, I have not only learned about the importance of the evolution of language, but, in a general sense, I have also gained a variety of skills that have helped me approach my own career – a third (and final!) year PhD student of English Literature at Durham University – from new and fresh angles.”

Read Elizabeth's lecture, “Dickensian Steampunk: Charles Dickens and His Overlooked Mudfog Papers” on Durham University's Department of English Studies blog.