Classics Spring/SummerSpring/Summer 2011 2012 News Plurimi Magnis cum Honoribus In this issue... Convocation 2012 Classics together with Religious Studies part: “From the beginning of his stud- Plurimi Magnis reached the heights at the King’s College ies, Gavin grasped that serious work in cum Honoribus Encaenia and Dalhousie’s Spring Convo- the humanities and religion requires deep cation this year. Seventeen new Bachelors and accurate study of languages: both the ancient ones which preserve revelation Viatores: of Arts received degrees with Honours in Religious Studies or Classics (one of and the development of theology and Chairman’s Message them combined both). Twelve of these doctrine, and the languages of modern were first class magnis( cum honoribus is the scholarship. What makes Gavin outstand- A Celebration of term used on Dalhousie parchments—not ing is that in his classes on religion, theol- Robert Crouse summa cum laude). This is both the largest ogy, and philosophy, as well as in those on class of Honours, and the largest group Greek, French, and Italian, his work was Department News of First Class Honours graduates in the always in the first class, so that the careful history of the Department: Plurimi Magnis reading each required fed the other.” All University award cum Honoribus!!! admired how he combined hard scholas- recognizes Classics’ tic work with devoted leadership in the King’s Chapel of which he was a Warden Christopher Grundke The first graduation of students whose Religious Studies classes came wholly and where he gave long hours to out- from the new Programme administered reach, to administration, and to worship. Graduate Studies by Classics was celebrated by five Hon- Programme ours degrees, four of these First Class. Taking a Canada Graduate Scholarship Gavin Keachie, from Toronto, took First with him, Gavin goes off to graduate Student Profile: Class Honours in Religious Studies com- study at the University of Toronto where Luke Togni bined with French. Susan DeMont, from he will work on the figure of Melchize- Eastern Passage, Nova Scotia, received dek in the New Testament Epistle to the Simon & Riva Spatz Chair First Class Honours in Religious Studies Hebrews. Gavin has begun studying the in Jewish Studies and International Development Studies. Hebrew and Aramaic he will need to add Gerjan Altenburg received First Class to his other languages for this research. Pythian Games 2012 Honours in Religious Studies and Clas- sics. Rochelle Basen, from Toronto, took Classics graduated 13 new Bachelors of First Class Honours in Religious Studies Arts with honours. With seven students Alumni Profile: and Contemporary Studies. receiving degrees at King’s Encaenia and Ben Frenken six at Dalhousie’s Convocation, the class Gavin was Alumni Profile: awarded Kim Kierans both the University’s Alumni Profile: Medal in Patrick Graham Religious Studies and Alumnotes the King’s College Medal for the best First Class Hon- ours gradu- ate in Arts and Sciences this Spring. The citation for Gavin’s King’s Medal King’s Encaenia 2012. L-R: Dr. Wayne Hankey, Dr. Peter O’Brien, Kevin Gaul, read in Andrei Mihailiuk, Shannon Ireland, Aaron Higgins-Brake, Dr Eli Diamond Plurimi Magnis cum Honoribus continued... was not only extraordinarily large, it was grateful to all three; it will be good to and Immunology made no mention of also outstandingly accomplished: 8 of the have them all together again in 2013-14. Classics, we want to claim him as one of 13 earned First Class Honours. Among us. Andrew entered King’s from Hills- those receiving First Class Honours was Gerjan Altenburg’s First Class Honours borough, New Brunswick, through the Elizabeth Montgomery, from Enfield, were in Classics as well as Religious Stud- Science section of the Foundation Year Nova Scotia, who received the first ever ies, with Arabic and Latin as languages. Programme. A first class performance in combined honours degree in Classics and Gerjan will begin a fully-funded MA both FYP and his Science classes drew Environment, Sustainability, and Society. programme in Religious Studies at Mc- him to continue both in the humanities Master in the Fall, his work centering on and in the natural sciences. In his second Aaron Higgins-Brake took First Class Buddhism. Gerjan comes from a farm in year, Dr Stewart’s class in “Ancient and Honours and the University Medal in Riverside, Nova Scotia, and this Summer Medieval Science” during the Fall term Classics. His plans for the summer include he will again be working for his father, led to Dr Hankey’s “Mediaeval Philoso- travel to France, Spain, and Italy with hoof trimming dairy cows around Nova phy from Arabic and Jewish Thinkers to his girlfriend, Kait. This Fall Aaron and Scotia. Aquinas” during the Winter Term. As- Kait will be moving to Korea, where they tonishingly, Andrew had the courage and will work as boarding assistants at the Andrei Mihailiuk from Lindsay, Ontario, desire to take Dr Hankey’s seminar on international school on Jeju Island. Aaron having achieved First Class Honours in Aquinas and Meister Eckhart in his third plans to return to Dalhousie for a MA in Classics and Contemporary Studies, will year where he achieved a stunning A+. As Classics in the Fall of 2013 working with begin graduate studies in Archaeology at a result, when Dr Kim Cameron estab- Dr Hankey. the University of British Columbia De- lished an award to encourage intellectuals partment of Classics in the Fall. Andrei’s who bridge the natural science - humani- Bruce Russell’s First Class Honours de- proposed research involves ‘reading’ Clas- ties divide, and two Classics professors gree went with being named an Academic sical Greek town planning, particularly the were given the privilege of choosing the All-Canadian. This is Bruce’s third time Hippodamean grid plan, to determine the first recipient, Andrew was the obvious receiving this athletic distinction. He and thinking behind the Greeks’ conception choice. As he goes on to a PhD at the Rachel McLay preceded Convocation with of the city and its influence on contempo- University of Ottawa, Andrew writes: their wedding on Saturday, May 12th at a rary ideas of urban space. His studies are “I don’t know that I would be nearly as small ceremony in Purcell’s Cove. Bruce’s being funded by UBC. confident an academic without having classmate Aaron Higgins-Brake served as taken your Classics courses, especially the Best Man. Bruce took the Chair’s Prize Shannon Higgins, from Halifax, with First Eckhart seminar, and I am glad to have at the Pythian Games with his original Class Honours in Early Modern Stud- been given the opportunity to move away Horatian ode in Latin, Cursores trepidis, and ies and Classics will be working both at from the microscopic world on occasion published a Latin prose composition, De home and in Cape Breton this summer as and learn something relatively unrelated.” Fato et Factis Troianorum, in Pseudo-Dionysius a research assistant on Biblical idioms in Kim Cameron is convinced that the fu- XIV (2012). In consequence it is no secular language with Dr Stephen Snobel- ture of humanity depends on overcoming surprise that he shared the coveted Nicole en at King’s. In September, she will begin the humanities-natural science divide. We Knox Memorial Award for the best a MA in the Department of History at claim Andrew as someone who will help undergraduate work in Greek and Latin. Dalhousie. Her thesis, to be supervised by build the bridge to the future. The other recipient of the Nicole Knox Dr Snobelen, will focus on the evolution was Kristan Newell from Arcadia Nova of the conception of God throughout Max (Zhicheng) Ma from Vancouver, a Scotia, who is doing combined Honours the Scientific Revolution, particularly with student member of the Dalhousie Univer- in Classics and English. I expect to be respect to astronomy and the shift from sity Board of Governors, took a tote bag writing about her First Class Honours geocentrism to heliocentrism. full of awards away from the Student Im- degree this time next year. Bruce will be pact Awards banquet this March, gained returning to the Department in Septem- Erik Tarbush from Guelph, Ontario, took as a result of four years of governance ber to begin a MA. He plans to work with a First Class Honours degree in Early centered student activity at King’s and Dr Eli Diamond and to write a thesis on Modern Studies and Classics and the Dalhousie. At Convocation Max achieved Aristotle’s Ethics. How shall we number University Medal in Early Modern Studies Honours in Early Modern Studies and his talents? at the King’s Classics. He will begin a JD at Queen’s Encaenia. Law School in September. He is adding Kevin Gaul received First Class Honours French to his languages this Summer. in Classics and History. Kevin is return- Andrew Wight ing next year to add Greek to his lan- was another Our thanks go to our Undergraduate guages with the hope of doing a Master’s First Class Advisors, Dr Christopher Austin (Reli- degree in the Department. He and his Honours gradu- gious Studies) and Dr Michael Fournier friends, Aaron and Bruce, are all from ate at the King’s (Classics) who played crucial roles in our Halifax and entered Classics from the Encaenia, graduates’ achievements. King’s Foundation Year Programme. They and, although shared the responsibilities of the senior his BSc in offices of Res Publica, the undergraduate Microbiology Classics society, this year. We are most Andrew Wight Viatores The Chairman’s Message

faculty member, and the mother of our Petronella (Nellie) Neish fell ill during our students. It must be that at every point Choral Evensong in Celebration of Rob- in her passage, and in every aspect of ert’s Academic work on October 14th in the Liturgy, our members old and new the King’s Chapel. On December 5th, the assisted. Dr Gary Thorne offered the Chapel was filled again for Nellie’s wake, Eucharist; I preached; Jane Neish was and the next day we sang her Requiem the thurifer. However, these prominent at St George’s Round Church. Again Dr public offices were only emblematic of Thorne offered the Eucharist; I preached; what was given in comfort and service Nicholas Hatt was ceremonarius. Nel- by all who could find a way to reach lie was connected to the Department by out. I quote from my sermon delivered the studies of her husband, Gordon, and in the King’s Chapel. those of her children (Duncan gradu- ated with a Major in Classics, Jane with Jane was Honours in Classics and History). She was a close friend of James Doull, Robert ...a Bachelor, and twice Master (in Crouse, Dennis House, myself, and many Classics and in German), of this many others of our members. She became University, a Doctor of Philosophy, best known within the Department when and the holder of a distinguished she accompanied the youngest of her six professorial Chair. Wedded in this children, James Arthur, to the Summer place thirty-five years ago, Jane gave Latin camp the Department conducted herself faithfully, serenely, and beau- for two years. As a result, James devel- tifully to her husband and family, to oped into an exacting multilingual student our Chapel, our College, and to this of languages. As with Jane Curran, it must University. Among us she was first be that at every point in her passage, and a brilliant student, then a long suf- in every aspect of the liturgies surround- Wayfarers and pilgrims upon the earth. fering but elegant College Dean, a ing it, our members old and new assisted. The primal pattern for human life fixed distinguished scholar, an innovative I shall never forget one of scores of in our minds by Homer in the Odyssey and and generous teacher, a wise and de- instances: finding our students keeping Moses in Exodus, by Parmenides in The termined university administrator… watch the night of her crossing-over at Way to Truth and Plato in the allegory of We sang Requiem for her teacher her death bed. the cave, by Virgil’s Aeneid and Dante’s and Tom’s, here, eight months ago. Comedia, is as an itinerarium, a journey, a Robert Crouse dedicated his schol- I quote from my sermon at her Requiem. pilgrimage. Humans are viatores, wayfar- arly life to rethinking what he called Nellie was by divine calling a homemaker. ers, who must needs be conscious of the the ‘blending’ of Greek and Hebrew No one took up God’s home making shortness and transitoriness of life. The for the renewing of mind and of “more totally, carefully, happily, and with literature, philosophy, religion, and history true religion now, and, because only greater blessing than she. For Gordon, for we study in the Department keeps this on its basis can the Western tradi- each of their children, and for neigh- ever before us. Yet we were hard pressed tion be understood. Although hers bours, friends, parishioners, strays of this year when confronted first by the was another field than his, Jane gave every kind, animal and human, high and passage beyond our sight of our beloved herself to the common work. low, for all and sundry, who came within teacher Robert Crouse, and, then, by her walls and her reach, Nellie built an that of three much younger members As an alumna, wife, mother, scholar, habitation of God among men. And she of our extended family, all consumed by and university administrator, Jane made built this home in such a way that none cancer: Jane Curran, Petronella Neish, incalculably rich, and, at points crucially of us who entered it through her will ever and Joseph Walker. I have written to you important, contributions to us and to our leave it…. Her loving gaze gave us true about Robert, and have given an account work. Our sorrow at her passing will al- knowledge of the immortal creatures we in this Newsletter of the Celebration of ways be mixed with thanks for her gifts to are, made for God’s eternal peace.” She his academic work this past October, and us. Her memory and they will endure. At left a permanent imprint on the character so will not speak of him directly here. this year’s Pythian Games Dr Tom Curran of the Department and nothing was more As with Robert’s passing, the crossing gave us a moving and evocative recitation natural and necessary than that her pass- over of our other friends also brought us of Shelley’s To a Sky-Lark in memory of ing would draw us together. closer together in mutual care. We came Jane, who had performed at our first Py- to know and enact our community with thian Games last year. This year’s Pseudo- The Reverend Joseph Walker died at the one another more deeply. Dionysius, with Emma Curran, Jane’s age of 47 on August 10th at Red Islands, daughter-in-law, as one of its editors, is having returned to his Cape Breton home Dr Jane Curran’s Requiem was sung in dedicated “to the Memory of Dr Jane V. from Edmonton, where he had worked the King’s College Chapel packed to Curran (1953-2011)” by way of Horace’s for many years. A widely active student at overflowing last August 4th. Jane was Carmina IV.7: Diffugere nives. King’s, he took a BA in Classics in 1986, a distinguished alumna of the Depart- he went on to Masters degrees in Clas- ment, the wife of an alumnus and adjunct Chairman’s Message A Celebration of Professor Robert Crouse continued... October 14 & 15, 2011 Our Academic Celebration of the life Gott sung by the whole congregation with of Professor Robert Darwin Crouse in full orchestra and organ. The evening sics and in Religion at the University October 2011 was judged a worthy tribute concluded with a paper by the Reverend of Toronto. With infinite gifts and by the many who participated. Dr Crouse, Dr Gary Thorne (MA, 1983, supervised attractiveness of mind and spirit, he a son of the Department, together with by Professor Crouse) who, as Chaplain was first a charismatic lay Chaplain James Doull, may be regarded as re- of King’s, had led Evensong. He spoke at the University of Alberta and, founding the Department so as to lay on Robert Crouse’s use of the traditional afterwards, pastor of parishes in the basis of its outstanding success over lectionary in his preaching. the Anglican Diocese of Edmon- the last fifty years within Dalhousie and ton. Joey left behind his wife Alisa King’s, nationally, and internationally. Fr Saturday’s events commenced with a Ketchum, whom he met at King’s, Ronald Hunt, who came from Ottawa paper and panel discussion, moved to a and four children. Joey never left the for the celebration, reported: “It was lecture theatre at King’s because of the minds and hearts of his teachers and a pleasure to take part in the memorial large number of those wishing to attend. fellow students in Classics here, and lectures and service for the Rev’d Dr Rob- Professor Wayne Hankey, a student of Dr the shocking news of his illness and ert Crouse, I felt the Evensong service Crouse from 1962 to 1967 and colleague passing spread like prairie wild-fire with emphasis on music was a wonder- from 1972 until Robert’s retirement, set among the friends he made among ful tribute. The lecture and responses up the discussion with a paper “Memoria, us. We were drawn together as we the following day were interesting and Intellectus, Voluntas: the Augustinian Centre remembered him and his family and enlightening.” He said that it felt as if he of Robert Crouse’s Scholarly Work.” A we offered our prayers. were back at Bishop’s University “with response by another of Robert’s students, Dr. Crouse leading the discussion!!” Dr. Dr Neil Robertson (MA 1987), Associ- Let me close by reminding you of Roberta Barker, a student of Robert’s ate Professor at the University of King’s the words St Bernard took from here, now the Chair of the Department College, followed. Shorter papers were Isaiah for the habitations of his of Theatre, who gave a moving account delivered by professors Michael Fournier monks carved in Carolingian script, of his teaching, called it a “A lovely (First Class Honours and the University by our colleague Colin Starnes gift”. She thanked us “for a wonderful Medal in Classics 1999; MA 2001) and Eli around the walls of the room where and illuminating few days!” which were Diamond (First Class Honours in Clas- Robert Crouse spent most of his “a most beautiful and suitable tribute to sics and Contemporary Studies and the time: Father Crouse.” Evan King, at present University Medal in Contemporary Stud- a graduate student in the Department, ies, 1999; MA 2001), who were among Laetabitur deserta et exultabit solitudo et who contributed a paper to the panel, Dr Crouse’s last students in the Depart- florebit quasi lilium et erit ibi semita et via said: “I found the papers and discussions ment, and by current graduate students, et via sancta vocabitur non erit ibi leo. that followed all to be a sheer delight, and Benjamin Lee (First Class Honours and learned a great deal from them and simply the University Medal in Classics, 2006; by working on this. I am grateful for hav- MA, 2008), and Evan King (First Class ing been a part of it.” Honours, 2010). Besides Augustine and Neoplatonism, focuses of the papers The celebration on Friday, October 14th were Robert’s treatments of Aristotle, began most appropriately in the King’s Boethius, Eriugena, and Meister Eckhart. Chapel. It was filled to the doors for Cho- A lively discussion ensued. All the papers ral Evensong performed by the King’s and responses will be published in this College Choir under the direction of year’s Dionysius (XXX, 2012). Paul Halley. For more than three decades, Robert had regularly celebrated the liturgy The final scenes of the day were enacted and preached in the Chapel and he was at the Department where Dr Roberta Organist and Choirmaster when the pres- Barker (First Class Honours and the Uni- ent musical and liturgical regime was be- versity Medal in Classics, 1996) delivered ing established there. To the Chapel Choir her tribute. A portrait by an alumna, and organ were added the early music En- Andra Striowski (First Class Honours semble, Tempest, with David Greenberg, in Classics, 2005; MA, 2008), matching Kristy Money, Karen Langille, Celeste the one she painted of James Doull, was Jankwoski, Harry Brown, Max Kasper, unveiled to much admiration by Andra Suzanne Lemieux, and Brian James. The and Doris House, who, with Dr Dennis settings for the Magnificat and the Nunc House, had been a faithful caregiver to Dimittis were by Vivaldi and Josquin des Robert for several years. A splendid lunch Prez. The Anthem was Bach’s Cantata organised by the indefatigable Donna Ed- Allein zu dir, Herr Jesu Christ with Jolanta wards followed. We are most grateful to This portrait of Professor Robert Crouse, painted Lorenc, Sarah E. Myatt, Nico Veltmeyer, the many contributors to the celebration, by alumna Andra Striowski, hangs in the Classics Library at Dalhousie University. and John Bogardus as soloists. At the end, who gave by their work, their attendance, we raised the roof with Nun Danket alle and their monetary donations. Building for Continued Excellence: Tenure, Promotion and Two Renewed Appointments In the very difficult financial circumstanc- and teaching new classes; creating a new Photo Source: Wikipedia es of our universities, where hiring freezes curriculum; student advising, which, as have been succeeded by cutbacks, our De- you see elsewhere in this Newsletter, has partment continues to build a foundation led to our ever-increasing list of major for sustained excellence and for growth in and honours students of exceptionally student numbers. Over the last two years, high quality; sure judgment in the search the University appointed Dr Jack Mitchell for a colleague; publicity and student to our Roman History chair, Dr Emily recruiting; and, finally, helping conceive Varto to Greek History, and gave Dr Mi- and work up the cases for the triad of en- chael Fournier tenure in a chair devoted dowed “Convivencia chairs” in the three to late Ancient Philosophy, Religion and Abrahamic religions—Judaism, Islam, Culture. Dr Fournier was also promoted and Eastern Christianity. His research to the rank of Associate Professor. This and teaching, which bridge these three year we had similarly happy results for our religions, gave Sasha the inspiration and chairs in Western and Eastern religions expertise for his contribution to this proj- and for the post in Arabic Studies. ect. Our hope is that Dr Treiger will con- tinue to lead us in ways which will enable This Spring, Dr Alexander (Sasha) Religious Studies to match Classics as a Treiger was given tenure in the chair in place of internationally recognised intel- Western Religions in the Programme in lectual ferment, exceptional productivity, Religious Studies and was promoted to outstanding influence, and excellence. the rank of Associate Professor. Coming A Mughal miniature from Padshahnama depicting only four years after his initial appoint- The second essential of our Religious the surrender of the Shi’a Safavid garrison of ment here and from his PhD, this is an Studies Programme is Dr Christopher Kandahar in 1638 to the Mughal army. especially outstanding accomplishment, Austin and we are pleased to be able to Having spoken of a Programme ground- but one which is well deserved. Dr congratulate him on his reappointment ed in two appointments, we turn now to Treiger was the first core appointment to to a further three year term as Assistant the success of another dependent on just our highly successful Religious Studies Professor (Eastern Religions). As one of one. You will be pleased to know that we Programme and is essential to that suc- the two founding core members of our have secured the continuation of the post cess and to its plans for the future. new Programme, Chris has had to be in Arabic administered by the Department outstanding, and almost impossibly hard for another three years and the reappoint- Sasha Treiger is a wide-ranging interna- working, not only as a teacher and pub- ment of our colleague, Dr Rodica Fira- tional scholar. His initial education was lishing researcher, but also as an adminis- nescu, in it. This is her third appointment received in Russia; his BA (Arabic and trator. In all three areas he has excelled; to to this full-time post. Islamic Studies) and MA (Comparative have done so in all three, although neces- Religion) degrees are from the Hebrew sary to the success of the Programme, is Rodica came to us with a PhD in Arabic University of Jerusalem and his PhD beyond any reasonable demand that we Linguistics from the University of Bucha- (Near Eastern Studies) is from Yale. Both could have made. rest and after extensive study of Arabic in his MA thesis (an edition of an Arabic Egypt, Jordan, and Syria. She is an active Christian translation of part of the Corpus Christopher has not only helped develop scholar, continually making contribu- Dionysiacum) and his PhD dissertation on a curriculum for the Programme as a tions to international conferences and al-Ghazali have been published (the latter, whole, he has created and delivered the publications on linguistics. As a teacher, Inspired Knowledge in Islamic Thought, this Eastern half of it - the more popular Dr Firanescu is devoted, imaginative, and year). His publications and research grants with students - entirely on his own. As a energetic, inspiring loyalty in her stu- increase constantly and will be aided by a publishing scholar, he shows exceptional dents. As the sole person teaching Arabic, half-year sabbatical now beginning. The promise by having gained a three-year Dr Firanescu has been almost entirely external referees from three countries SSHRC Insight Grant. His skills, and his responsible for the development, admin- for his tenure application praised his long, hard, persistent, and faithful work as istration, and promotion of the classes command of the tools for research, the a designer, publicist, recruiter, and student we teach. She has done this very ably. She accuracy and reliability of his judgments, advisor; his creative imagination and criti- led in setting up a website for the Arabic the importance of his publications, his cal judgment as a planner of programme classes and has created and successfully collegiality and ability to work with others and curriculum; and, his good will and co- taught an introduction to Arabic culture. towards common goals. operation as a colleague, are all sine qua non In a time when getting students to under- for the stunning success of a Programme take the difficult work of language study Sasha is a very effective and popular based in two chairs. Chris’ wide range is increasingly hard, Rodica has created a teacher; that, as well as scholarship, is of talents and accomplishments, and his successful and sustainable programme in essential to our department. However, contributions to our work, make us look Arabic. This is an area of study essential we cannot fail to emphasise his skills as a forward in hope to his becoming a perma- to contemporary universities, especially builder. Immediately on his arrival, Sasha nent member of our Department. those in this region with its rapidly in- threw himself into what makes our new creasing Arabic speaking population and Programme the success it is: designing student numbers. Department Seminars and Public Lectures 2011-12

This year we borrowed a page (and a sophy.” This attracted a wide audience, of Cambridge, Dr Torrance Kirby of speaker) from the Philosophy Depart- including Dr Afua Cooper, holder of McGill, and Dr David Bronstein of ment and focused the departmental the James Robinson Johnston Chair in Georgetown are among others we hope seminar on getting to know each other’s Black Canadian Studies. Dr Hankey was to attract and Drs Peter O’Brien and work better. Although it was not part happy to find many common interests Gregory Scherkoske (Philosophy) will of this year’s series, our Academic Cel- between his work on the religious and make presentations postponed from ebration of Professor Robert Crouse cultural contexts of philosophy and the this year. on October 14th and 15th anchored research of Dr Jeffers. We were espe- this project when Drs Gary Thorne, cially delighted to see that Dr Jeffers’ If you live in the Halifax area and Wayne Hankey, Neil Robertson, Mi- paper incorporated scholarship on The would like to receive announcements chael Fournier and Eli Diamond, as Tale of the Eloquent Peasant by the Revd about our departmental seminars and well as graduate students Evan King Dr Vincent Tobin (now Father Vladi- lectures, please send a note to donna. and Benjamin Lee, made presentations mir of St. Vladimir Orthodox Church [email protected] and we will add you to which led to lively discussions. in Halifax), a distinguished alumnus our distribution list. of our Department (MA 1965) and The departmental seminar normally Egyptologist. meets on Thursdays at 7 pm during the full Term. Our Greek historian, Dr In September, the Atlantic Classi- Emily Varto, presented “From Kinship cal Association annual speaking tour to State: The Use of Classical History brought us Craig Cooper, Dean of the in 19th Century Ethnology.” Our East- Faculty of Arts and Science at Nipiss- ern Religions expert, Dr Christopher ing University, who presented a paper Austin, presented “The Abduction of entitled “Phainias of Eresos and Peri- Sri Rukmini: Politics, Genealogy And patetic Historiography.” Two important This year we will publish Theology in Harivamsa 87-90,” which experts on ancient philosophy also gave the 30th volume of is part of his ongoing SSHRC-funded papers to the seminar. In October, Dionysius and during it research project. One happy result Professor Eric D. Perl from Loyola we will be using a was the mutual discovery of what was Marymount University presented his Strategic Initiatives Grant common to Emily’s and Chris’ research. paper “The Motion of Intellect: On from the University to Dr Michael Fournier presented a paper the Neoplatonic Reading of Sophist make important and inspired by his Magic, Religion and 248e-249d” and gave a paper to Dr exciting innovations Philosophy course entitled “Gorgias on Hankey’s graduate seminar on the Self to our journal. A Fall Magic.” His paper, and the very sharp and Mysticism. Professor Perl’s book Newsletter will focus on discussion which followed it, led to on Pseudo-Dionysius, Theophany, has Dionysius, its little broth- another of Michael’s growing list of been essential reading in the Depart- er, Pseudo-Dionysius, publications. ment in the past few years, and so we edited by our students, were delighted to have an opportunity and the research, schol- to meet him in person. In February, arly communications, Professor Emeritus Aryeh Kosman and publications of our (Haverford College) gave a wonderful faculty and students. We talk entitled “Self-Knowledge and Self- have much to celebrate Control in the Charmides.” Professor in our outstanding con- Kosman generously participated in Dr tributions to scholarship Diamond’s graduate seminar as well. within the University, the He put us all to shame by remembering Atlantic region, Canada, the names of every student he met. and the global intel- lectual world. We look Dr. Chike Jeffers Dr Eli Diamond co-ordinated our departmental seminars and lectures forward to telling you We were very pleased that Dr Chike this year; Dr Peter O’Brien is assuming these stories next Term. Jeffers, a recent appointment in the this important task for 2012-13. Details Dalhousie Philosophy Department, are already being confirmed about who teaches Social and Political next year’s roster of speakers, with the Philosophy and Philosophy of Race, Fall centering on the inaugural Shaar delivered a very thought-provoking Shalom Synagogue Public Lecture by paper to us: “Embodying Justice in Dr Carlos F. Fraenkel on Thursday, Ancient Egypt: The Tale of the Eloquent September 20th at 7 pm. Dr Dimitri Peasant as a Classic of Political Philo- Gutas of Yale, Dr Douglas Hedley Our Extending Family

The Department continues to be a and in the Spring he worked at the Insti- has passed his comprehensive exams home of friendship, marriages, and tute of Classical Studies, University of and completed his course work. Matt children. The Pythian Games—despite London. In March, Greg took his first is writing a thesis on the status of some of the speeches which were trip to Greece. The high points were metaphor in Aristotle, under Francisco spared younger ears by being rendered his pilgrimage to Delphi and finding Gonzalez, and hopes to graduate in the in Greek!—turned into a veritable fam- Proclus’ house on Dionysios Areopagi- class of 2014. ily event. Harlow, the son of Dr Eli and tos Street, next to the Acropolis. Greg Keiva Diamond, who brought along is Associate Professor of Humanities in Bruce Russell and Rachel McLay were his younger brother, Abraham, equally Carleton University. married this year on May 12th in Pur- disposed in period costume, made his cell’s Cove just before his graduation theatrical debut as an up-to-date angelos! with First Class Honours. Bruce reports The FEDEX package he rushed to the “a lovely small ceremony and excellent scene contained a Cease & Desist Order weather.” Aaron Higgins-Brake was his from the Nova Scotia SPCA which, best man. at the last moment, saved the Delphic Python from Dr Mitchell’s sword. Dr Benjamin Lee (First Class Honours and Chike Jeffers, professor in the Depart- the University Medal in Classics, 2006; ment of Philosophy, who had presented MA, 2008) and his wife, Andrea, exult a Departmental Seminar earlier in the in their daughter, Ellianna, born in De- year, attended with his wife, Tina, and cember and Christened at St George’s their daughter, Aminata. Dr Michael Gregory MacIsaac’s groomsmen were fellow on Low Sunday. Godparents included King’s alumni: Finley Mullally, Andrew Han, and Fournier and his wife Sonya brought Michael E. Daly Jesse Blackwood (Honours in Classics Charlie and Josie to the reception. There and Early Modern Studies, 2004) and they joined Jack Mitchell’s wife, Luba, Jane Maria Neish (Honours in History and their son, Caius; Luke and Lucy Peter James Richardson-Bryson (MA, and Classics, 2001). Togni came with their son, Emmanuel. 2007) and Kristi Brianne Assaly were wedded at St George’s Round Church Edward L Rix, who graduated with We rejoice in six weddings. on August 19th. Dr Thomas Curran Greg MacIsaac in 1991 and now serves Emma Whitney and Martin Curran, (MA of the Department and Adjunct as priest to the people of All Saints both First Class Honours graduates Professor) solemnised the marriage, Dr Wynnewood on the Main Line, Penn- now finishing MAs in the Department, Gary Thorne (MA, 1983) celebrated the sylvania, reports that his wife Sierra married in the King’s Chapel on July Nuptial Eucharist, Dr Wayne Hankey gave birth to their fifth child, Margaret 2nd, exactly thirty-five years after the preached the sermon, Daniel Wilband Patricia on May 18th 2011. He writes: marriage of Tom and Jane Curran (also (MA, 2007) was subdeacon, Benjamin “I should be pleased to see my children both Masters graduates of the Depart- Lee (MA, 2008) was thurifer, Nicholas grow to be anything happy, charitable ment) in the same chapel, and three Hatt (Honours, 2003) was ceremonarius, and useful, but I quite hope that some weeks before Jane’s passing. Dr Gary and Monseigneur Hans Feichtinger of them will, one day, make better use Thorne (MA 1983) solemnised the (MA, 2003) conferred a Papal Blessing, of the Classics Department than their marriage and celebrated the Nuptial Eu- which he sang over the couple in Latin. father.” charist, Professor Peter O’Brien (First Class Honours, 1990; MA, 1992) read a Erin Wagner and Peter Bullerwell (First lesson, Nicholas Hatt (Honours, 2003) Class Honours in Classics, 2009, now preached. finishing a MA thesis on Meister Eck- hart) were married on August 27th in Also in July, Gregory MacIsaac (First Timberlea, Nova Scotia. Class Honours, 1992) was married to Robyn Bragg, in Blessed Sacrament Matt Wood (Honours, 2003; MA, 2005) Church, Ottawa. After the wedding and married Yuna Park, with one ceremony a Cape-Breton honeymoon, the couple in Ottawa, on July 4th, and another in went on a year-long sabbatical. In the Seoul, on October 23rd. Matt is a PhD Fall Greg was a visiting researcher in the candidate in the Philosophy Depart- Plato Centre at Trinity College Dublin, ment of the University of Ottawa. He

Giving goes a long way. Our alumni are among our most generous supporters. This year, thanks to dollars generated through our annual fund, Classics was able to provide travel awards for graduate students to present research papers at various academic conferences. Such evidence of academic engagement helps our graduates become more competitive in their applications for further study, funding and employment. Thank you. An Excelling Teacher: In Chris’ fourth year as a part-time in- Dr Christopher Grundke structor, we expanded our teaching in his area of research when he added a class on Our Dr he has had equal success. Chris has now the history of Israel. Another success, this Christopher taught Latin at all three levels (introduc- class is now part of our annual offerings Grundke tory, intermediate, and advanced) and his and next year, owing to Dr Treiger’s sab- is one of Latin class has become a staple of our batical, will be our only offering devoted this year’s Summer School offerings. to Judaism. recipients of Dalhousie’s Chris’ creative effectiveness as a language Recently Chris saved us in two extremely sessional and instructor is symbolised for me whenever difficult situations when we were required part-time I see a classroom in which he teaches on short notice to replace the instruc- instructor Hebrew or Latin. The tables are all rear- tors for our two largest classes. Had Award of ranged and each student place is marked these failed, the Department would have Excellence. by a sign with the student’s name in Chris’ been in very serious trouble. Both classes exquisite pen and ink lettering. All are demand teachers of the highest ability No one can known and cared for, all participate. The both as lecturers and as administrators. deserve it student results match his care and effort. In both cases, Christopher mastered the more. Chris’ Fewer and fewer universities in our region material and taught the classes with the teaching dur- and in Canada have been able to sustain same conscientious and generous care ing the eleven the teaching of the ancient languages, which characterises everything he does. years he has worked in the Department and fewer still conduct them at the levels He rescued us from disaster. has been distinguished by excellence, attained in our Department. Christo- imagination, and the generous care for pher Grundke is one of the chief agents I take this opportunity to publicly extend students which make him a demanding, of our outstanding success, one which to Chris, personally and on behalf of successful, and beloved teacher. Initially enables our students to gain admission the Department, heartfelt thanks and he taught Hebrew. Because of his out- to the best international graduate schools congratulations. standing success as a teacher of Hebrew, and to win scholarships funded both we asked him to expand into Latin. There internationally and nationally, as well as by - Dr. Wayne Hankey their host universities. An Excellent Student: Luke Togni Luke’s story begins in Toronto, where exploring the Catholic tradition through- music—not neglecting Gregorian chant— his father, broadcaster and composer out the centuries – all of which were to ten- and eleven-year-old children at Peter-Anthony Togni, was working for harbingers of his emerging intellectual Our Lady of Schools, a local independent CBC Radio. After relocating to Nova interests. He undertook a BA in Classics Catholic elementary school. “Teaching has Scotia, Luke became a townie at King’s- as a matter of course. With a smile he been a very positive experience,” he notes; Edgehill, Windsor, in the International recalls having studied Greek before Latin; “I enjoy helping to broaden people’s back- Baccalaureate Programme. While he was “It was a little odd, but Latin felt so easy grounds and their musical perceptions.” happily coming to grips with ancient and afterwards!” he says. Those who would Cooperating at Our Lady of Schools with modern history, philosophy, and Ger- doubt the relevance of a Classics degree Latin instructor Dr Peter Kussmaul, a man at school, Luke was encouraged to receive this rejoinder: “Classics offers retired Dalhousie classicist, was a happy consider enrolling in the Foundation Year to the mind and soul an appreciation of experience. Luke’s musical interests are Programme at the University of King’s the causes of things: human history, the also exercised in efforts to renew Catholic College, primarily by Dr Patrick Atherton, literary tradition, and even being itself. It liturgy – a work shared with his father. He a family friend and former Chairman of focuses on a span of 1,500 years, but its also managed to find time for romance, Classics, and by the Rev’d David Curry. careful methods and manners of thought marriage, and fatherhood. David, who was Luke’s advisor, is Rec- are applicable anywhere. It sets our own tor of Windsor, Chaplain and teacher at world in context; seeing the ancient or Whatever the nature of God, mate- King’s-Edgehill, and a graduate of the medieval world properly helps us to be- rial substances, and science may be, Department (BA, 1976; MA, 1978). Clas- come aware of our own prejudices and to however, it is definitely in the nature sics seems to have been predestined. be freed from them.” of theses to leave the researcher with further questions to consider. With the Luke entered the Foundation Year in Luke’s BA with First Class Honours MA now complete, Luke eagerly an- 2005 and found his first deep examina- in 2009 led immediately into the MA ticipates doctoral research dealing with tion of the ancient and medieval worlds programme, and a thesis on Aristotle’s Bonaventure’s Itinerarium, to which he as wonder-filled and exciting as he could Metaphysics Lambda in which he tried to was introduced in Dr Hankey’s Medieval have hoped. He was especially intrigued determine whether one can understand Philosophy class. He has been accepted by the philosophy and theology of the God and material things in the same sci- into the PhD programme in Historical Middle Ages, the richness of Dante, the ence. Luke arrived at a Thomistic conclu- Theology at Marquette University, Mil- origins of rationalism, the systematic sion by way of finding a shared analogical waukee. At present, he plans to centre thought of Hegel, and the opportunity of structure. Outside his studies, Luke taught his work on the role of saving knowl- Our Outstanding Graduate Scholars

Our graduate programme continues to Canada Graduate Master’s Scholarship. sented a response paper entitled “In melius be both a home of intellectual work of Incoming MA student Paul McGilvery, renovabimur: A Reply to Father Christo- great intensity and quality, and a place of who just completed his BA in Classics pher Snook,” and Evan King responded preparation for young scholars going on at Laurentian University in Sudbury, has to Dr. Gary Thorne’s paper on Modern to still higher study. been awarded a Killam scholarship, the Asceticism and Contemporary Christian most prestigious scholarship at Dalhousie Community. At the Academic Com- Our graduate students this year did University for MA students. memoration of Robert Crouse in Halifax their course work in a wide variety of in October, PhD student Benjamin Lee graduate seminars: a seminar co-taught Ben Manson and Evan King were contributed a substantial paper on Dr by Dr Christopher Grundke and Dr awarded Joseph-Armand Bombardier Crouse’s interpretation of Eriugena, while Jack Mitchell on Virgil and Horace; Dr CGS Doctoral Scholarships (informally Evan King gave a shorter intervention Eli Diamond’s Greek seminar on Plato’s known as “super-SSHRCs”), valued at on Dr Crouse’s interpretation of Meister Symposium and Euripides’ Bacchae and his $35,000 per year for three years. They Eckhart. Plato seminar on Republic and Timaeus; Dr came to Classics from the Foundation Leona MacLeod’s seminar on Sophocles’ Year Programme at King’s and both took Our graduate students delivered papers Philoctetes; Dr Alexander Treiger’s semi- First Class Honours Bachelor degrees all over North America this year. Martin nar on John of Damascus; Dr Michael in Classics. Ben was also awarded the Curran (“Eryximachus’ Delicate Balance Fournier’s seminar on Augustine’s De University Medal in Classics (shared with in Plato’s Symposium”) and Bryan Heystee Trinitate; and Dr Hankey’s seminar on Emma Curran) and a Killam Scholarship. (“Measure Your Pleasure: Virtue in the “The Self and Mysticism.” Ben is finishing a MA thesis on Aristotle Protagoras”) presented papers at the with Eli Diamond and will go to Oxford University of Calgary’s Free Exchange The excellence of our students continues University this Fall to continue working Interdisciplinary Graduate Conference. to be recognized through scholarships on the Master of Those Who Know with At the Annual meeting of the Classical and grants. Daniel Watson has been Professor Jessica Moss in the Philosophy Association of Canada in London On- awarded a Joseph-Armand Bombardier Department. Evan is finishing a MA the- tario, Brad Longard sat on the Presidential sis on Meister Eckhart with Dr Hankey Panel on Augustan and Imperial Poetry, and will go off this Fall to Cambridge where he delivered his paper “Perspec- University, which has also awarded him tives on the Golden Age: Vergil and Ovid a major scholarship, to work on Eckhart, in Dialogue.” Benjamin Lee attended a conference in Chicago entitled “Eriugena Luke Togni, continued... Duns Scotus, and Arabic philosophy with Douglas Hedley in the Divinity School. and Creation,” the very topic of his dis- edge in Bonaventure. The move to sertation, which gave him the opportunity Milwaukee will require some changes: This year the Department introduced the to discuss his research with many of the a move from a small Classics depart- Howard Murray Prize to be awarded each world’s most important Eriugena scholars. ment in a small city to a large confes- year for the best performance by a gradu- sional department in a large and very ate student in both ancient languages. Four MA students completed their demographically-diverse city. He and Congratulations to first-year MA student degrees during the academic year: Wil- his family are looking forward to the Brian Lam, our first Howard Murray liam Cochran, with a thesis on Plato’s adventure. recipient. Statesman; Chris Gibson, with a thesis on logos in Plato’s Theaetetus and Sophist; Sam As a teacher at Our Lady of Schools, This year’s Dionysius featured contribu- Sutherland, with a thesis on Plato’s Phile- and as a teaching assistant or guest tions from four current graduate students, bus; and Luke Togni, with a thesis on the lecturer in the Department, Luke including Peter Bullerwell’s “Doing and unity of substance in Aristotle’s Metaphys- found deep pleasure in helping Seeing in Meister Eckhart and Michel ics Lambda. All four were supervised by people find new ideas. He hopes Henry;” Evan King’s “The Priority of Dr Diamond. Will is currently teaching eventually to teach both elementary Iustitia for Meister Eckhart;” Martin Cur- his first course at Saint Mary’s University school and university students. Pax ran’s “The Circular Activity of Prayer (“Ancient Civilization of Greece and tecum, Luke! in Boethius’ Consolation;” and Benjamin Rome”). Sam is working in the business Lee’s “Stupefactus haesito maximoque horrore sector for two years in preparation for concussus titubo: Eriugena’s Criticial Use his application to MBA programmes. of Augustine on Paradise and Resurrec- In September, Chris will be starting his tion in the Periphyseon.” Emma Curran doctorate in the Philosophy Department spearheaded the publication of this year’s at the University of Ottawa, and Luke will volume of Pseudo-Dionysius, which features be starting his doctorate in the Theol- several contributions from our graduate ogy Department at Marquette University students. (Milwaukee) with full funding. He will be working on the notion of practical theol- The presence of our graduate students ogy in St. Bonaventure. was felt at the Atlantic Theology Confer- - Interview by Chris Grundke ence at the University of King’s College in - Dr. Eli Diamond, Graduate Coordinator June of 2011, when Elizabeth Curry pre- UPDATE: Simon & Riva Spatz Chair in Jewish Studies Classics presents Shaar Shalom Lecture Series

is Reader in Hermeneu- losophy. He works on various issues, tics and Metaphysics at spanning ancient philosophy, medi- Cambridge University eval philosophy (mainly Jewish and and Fellow of Clare Col- Islamic), and early modern philosophy lege. At Dalhousie, the (mainly Spinoza). Dr Fraenkel also has chairs in Jewish, Islamic an interest in political philosophy, par- and Eastern Christian ticularly in questions related to cultural Studies would provide difference, identity and autonomy. See a programme unique in his website: http://carlosfraenkel. North America, of the com/ greatest importance to Shaar Shalom Synagogue is the gener- understanding between ous benefactor of the annual lecture. communities in the Mari- The joint selection committee from times and Canada, and Shaar Shalom and the Department of crucial for grasping what Classics consists of Doctors Philip Be- is moving the contempo- litsky, Seth Bloom, Alexander Treiger rary world generally. and Wayne Hankey. It is most grateful for the indispensable assistance of On Thursday, Septem- Dean Robert Summerby-Murray and ber 20th at 7 pm in the our own Dr Torrance Kirby, Direc- Scotiabank Auditorium, tor, Centre for Research on Religion, Marion McCain Build- McGill University. ing, Dalhousie University, Dr Carlos F. Fraenkel, We are also delighted to announce an professor in the Depart- exciting cooperation with Dalhousie’s ments of Philosophy and College of Sustainability on this first McGill University’s Dr. Carlos Fraenkel will present at Dalhousie’s Jewish Studies at McGill lecture of our series. inaugural Shaar Shalom Lecture on September 20, 2012 University will speak on “The Law of God and Planning for the Inaugural Lecture of Another important step has been taken the Law of Nature — this important series is continuing and by the Department of Classics and An Alternative Paradigm from the further details about the lecture, the its Programme in Religious Studies Abrahamic Religions”. Dr Fraenkel events surrounding it, and the Riva and towards the endowment of the Riva will bring to his audience sources Simon Spatz Chair will be forthcom- and Simon Spatz Chair in Jewish Stud- within the Abrahamic Religions, with ing. Should you wish information as it ies. We are excited to announce the their Jewish origins, on an alternative becomes available, please write donna. first Shaar Shalom Synagogue Public to the present understanding of nature [email protected] Lecture in support of the academic so destructive of the environmental and community outreach components conditions of human life. of the Spatz Chair. The Jewish Studies chair is envisioned as one of three Carlos Fraenkel is an attractive and in- devoted to the Abrahamic Religions novative international scholar, with an within Religious Studies at Dalhousie. outstanding capacity to bring academic research into the public forum. He Endowed chairs in the Abrahamic grew up between Germany and Brazil, Religions are now features of leading and did most of his undergradu- universities, having been added recently ate and graduate work at the Freie to theology and religious studies at Universität Berlin and the Hebrew both Oxford and Cambridge universi- University in Jerusalem, completing ties. This October Dr Douglas Hedley, his PhD in 2000. He also worked at a great friend of the Department, pres- the Universidade de São Paulo and ent supervisor of James Bryson and at the Sorbonne. Although interested future supervisor of Evan King, will in various things along the way (from speak to us about this developing field Brazilian literature to the Talmud), the and the possibilities it opens. Douglas red thread through his studies is phi- Pythian Games 2012

recitation of Shelley’s To a Sky-Lark, in memory of his wife, Jane, who had performed at our first Pythian Games last year. In beautiful French, Emily Macrae brought to life a symbolist sonnet by Stéphane Mallarmé; on the guitar, Daniel Gillis praised the Castalian Spring with Hans Werner Henze’s Du schönes Bächlein.

In the popular category of enormous, carnivalesque group presentations in Ancient Greek, a rivalry was born as Dr Eli Diamond’s 3rd Year Greek class went head to head with Dr Emily Varto’s 2nd Year Greek class. Here, acting and Greek composi- Dr. Jack Mitchell presides over the Classics’ 2nd Annual Pythian Games tion came together, as Dr Diamond’s When Apollo smiles on a department, Kevin Gaul led off with his original class condensed and “If this didn’t you can’t go wrong. This year Dal Clas- translation of Horace’s Ode 2.19, Bacchum enacted Plato’s most please Apollo, sics continued its revival of the ancient in remotis; Ms. Elizabeth Jones later con- artistic dialogue, the Apollonian festival with a second Pythian tinued the Horatian celebration with her Symposium, while Dr nothing will.” Games -- formerly held at Delphi and translation of Ode 2.3, Aequam memento, Varto’s class conceived now celebrated in Halifax. Like our an- together with the Latin original. Bruce and delivered on an tique predecessors, we revelled in a range Russell went a step further with his own original Dicaeopolidea, a sort of Brechtian of literary, artistic, and linguistic perfor- original Horatian ode in Latin, Cursores Epic Theatre take on the mance, now in English and French as well trepidis, which took the $150 Chair’s Prize. adventures of Dicaeopolis, revered hero as in Latin and ancient Greek. Fifteen of our first- and second-year Greek text- different student troupes and solo per- Original works in English were also well book, Athenaze. The competition was as formers took the stage, with everything to the fore, as first-year student James nail-biting as that between Aristophanes from original Latin poetry to Stéphane Campbell-Prager took the $75 Res Publica and Cratinus at the Lenaea festival at Mallarmé to Plato’s Symposium reenacted Prize, awarded by our vigorous under- Athens, but in the end Dr Diamond’s in Greek. If this didn’t please Apollo, graduate society, for his parody of Gilbert class prevailed, taking the $250 Howard nothing will. & Sullivan’s classic song I’ve Got A Little Murray Prize. Last, but not least, Domi- List, adapted to skewer the various banes nic Lacasse, suitably clad in sackcloth and It certainly pleased the audience. Well of an undergraduate’s life. Cat Migliore ashes, invoked the spirit of St John of over a hundred people watched, clapped, and Sarah Black took the $100 Alumni Patmos with his selections from the Book laughed, and cheered the proceedings Prize for their dashing one-act play, An of Revelation, foretelling the end of days in the Scotiabank Auditorium, which Ancient Squabble, which invited the audi- in pitch-perfect biblical Greek. coincidentally rather resembles the Greek ence to take sides in the confrontation of theatre at Delphi in its shape and struc- two quarrelsome soldiers. Adrian Hall It will be hard to outdo this lineup in the ture. Events began with the annual sacri- delivered a memorable original work with Pythian Games of 2013, but everyone fice of Python, our intrepid papier mâché his Dramatic Reading of Bastian with Music, a from the Department, and indeed from Snake, which this year was interrupted by multimedia extravaganza. across the Faculty of Arts and Social an urgent Cease & Desist order from the Sciences and the whole university, will be Nova Scotia SPCA, delivered with aplomb The Pythian Games are not only about eager to see us try! Please stop by if you by young Mr Harlow Diamond. Dr Jack original composition, however, but equally are in town -- the Games will be in late Mitchell emcee’d the event in his entirely about taking beloved works of literature March as usual -- or follow along at www. authentic suit of Roman legionary plate off the page and into the shared space pythiangames.com. With two years of armour, of splendid sheen and stagger- of performance. Here we must men- literary, artistic, and linguistic celebration ing weight. Presiding were the King and tion Kaitlyn Boulding’s lovely recitation under our belts, we are well on the way to Queen of the Games, Prof. John Barn- of Mary Oliver’s “Poem (the spirits making the Pythian Games a Dal Classics stead and Prof. Leona MacLeod, who like to dress up);” Ben Hicks’s selection tradition. faced the unenviable task of selecting of passages from Hölderlin’s Hyperion; winners from such an enthusiastic roster Mitch Underhay’s dramatic performance We are infinitely grateful to Professor Mitchell of talent. of Robert Service’s Barb-Wire Bill; and both for the endless pains and out-of-the-stadium Dr Tom Curran’s stirring and evocative multimedia talent he brings to the Games and for this write up.

ALUMNI PROFILE: ALUMNOTES Ben Frenken, BA 2005, MA 2007, LLB 2012

Ben Frenken hadn’t planned to study travelled to South Korea to teach English, DAVID BRONSTEIN (First Class Honours in Classics at all; his original notion was to where he enjoyed a teaching schedule that Classics and Contemporary Studies and the complete the Foundation Year Pro- sounds like a dream come true: he held University Medal in Classics in 2000) went gramme at King’s and to study English classes in the afternoons and spent the on to a PhD from the University of Toronto’s at a university on the West Coast. The mornings enjoying private martial arts Collaborative Programme in Ancient and appeal of the ancient literature read in lessons, hiking, and similar pursuits. He Medieval Philosophy in 2008 with a disserta- the Programme, and conversations with even visited the secretive North Korea tion entitled “Learning and Meno’s Paradox faculty members there, brought him to very briefly. After returning to Canada, in Aristotle’s Posterior Analytics”. David lec- the Department with the special hope he continued teaching English via Skype tured in philosophy at Balliol College, Oxford (2007-09) and held a Postdoctoral Research of reading Homer in Greek. His wish to through his own online teaching business, Fellowship in the Faculty of Philosophy at read texts in the original languages was which occupied him part-time for a year Oxford (2008-10), followed by two years on satisfied relatively quickly. He had already and a half. He was also assisting Halifax the faculty at Boston University. David will started one classical language: “I had Humanities 101 as a writing coordina- join the Philosophy Department of George- studied Spanish in high school, but I was tor. By this time, however, he was already town University this Fall. We are hoping between years in terms of the university planning the next phase in his own David will conduct a Departmental Seminar courses, so I picked up Latin instead.” education. Although he applied to various for us during the next academic year. Greek quickly followed, which allowed universities while writing the LSATs, he him to dig properly into Homer and was chiefly interested in further study in DAVID BUTORAC (BA Hons 1999, MA Thucydides. In the end Ben combined Halifax and at Dalhousie. 2001) was sorry not to have been able to participate in our celebration of Robert Classics with modern literature and poetry Crouse’s academic work, having written his studies in the Contemporary Studies Studying law Ben half-jokingly describes thesis “The Neoplatonic Prehistory of Au- Programme at King’s in a Honours degree as “the postponement of a decision” on gustine’s Doctrine of the Trinity” under him. completed in 2005. a profession. Classics, he notes, was very Happily, the cause of his absence was that good preparation for studying law: he David is now Assistant Professor of Ancient This wasn’t sufficient to quench Ben’s was already accustomed to working hard, Philosophy at Fatih University in Istanbul. thirst for literary study and he enrolled grappling with challenging reading, and He is a very busy scholar, treading where in our MA programme. It is no surprise dealing with questions arising from inter- angels fear. He has entered the great fray that his research was focused on Homeric preting the written word. His familiarity over the competing new editions of Proclus’ epic; his thesis, supervised by Dr Leona with Latin meant that Latin legal terms Commentary on the Parmenides, which has reminded us that philology can be a blood MacLeod, dealt with divine justice in the yielded up their meanings easily, even sport. The Oxford Classical Texts edition Odyssey and focused on the memorable if the legal world pronounces its Latin by his doctoral supervisor Carlos Steel has Cyclops episode. Ben recalled having rather differently from the Roman style. been viciously attacked in the new three enjoyed a somewhat lighter course load Nor was he the only Classics graduate in volume Budé edition (and strongly defended during the MA than some of his fellow the local legal community; he was pleased by our friend John Dillon). David published MA students had; “I had already done the to see near its top the Honourable Justice a review of volume two of the Budé in The languages, so I didn’t have to take those Peter Bryson of the Nova Scotia Court of Classical Review and is submitting an article classes.” Appeal (Honours 1976, MA 1978) deeply length critique of a textual decision made in steeped in the Classics who also found volume one. David is presenting at the In- “I knew that I didn’t want to do a PhD; I time to judge charity moots for Halifax ternational Society of Neoplatonic Studies in Sardinia this month which will be attended by wanted to have a break from school and Humanities. one of our promising undergraduates, Daniel getting out into the world was attractive.” Gillis, and was at the Amsterdam Proclus That’s precisely what he did, although he “Postponements” of decisions and ex- conference with alumnus Greg MacIsaac. didn’t take a break from school; he wound perimenting with new areas can some- December will be very busy because David up on the other side of the world and on times lead to important decisions about will be giving a paper at the American Philo- the other side of the teacher’s desk. Ben the course of one’s life; Ben’s experiment sophical Association December on “The with law worked out. His exploratory problem with knowing causes. The soul’s contacts with legal firms led to a summer epistrophe and its perspectives in Proclus” job in Toronto, where he did research, and, in Istanbul, he will be organizing a wrote administrative notes, accompanied conference to commemorate the 1600th anniversary of Proclus’ death. lawyers to court. It was through these experiences he discovered that he was JAMES BRYSON, after Honours in Classics interested not only in studying law but in and Early Modern Studies in 2005, went on practising it. Ben will begin his full-time to complete a MA here in 2007 supervised by legal career by articling with Norton Rose Dr Hankey on the unity of intellect according Canada, one of the largest law firms in to Siger of Brabant, Albertus Magnus and Canada with offices around the world – Thomas Aquinas. James is currently putting Ben was a featured Dalhousie graduate this and exciting prospects for young lawyers the finishing touches on a PhD in Divinity at Spring. Access the article at: http://www.dal.ca/ who like to experience other languages Cambridge. His dissertation, “The Christian news/2012/05/25/law-with-a-classical-twist.html and cultures. Bonam fortunam, Ben! Platonism of Thomas Jackson”, treats the Neoplatonic sources of Thomas Jackson’s philosophical theology, centering espe- Photo credit: Dal News - Interview by Chris Grundke

ALUMNI PROFILE: ALUMNOTES Kim Kierans, BA Hons 1983 During the was good. I could have gone and hid in cially on Eriugena, Ficino, and Cusanus. past thirty- the washroom afterwards, I suppose, but This Fall, James will take up a postdoc- five years, I learned from it and developed a thicker toral research fellowship in the Centre for Profes- skin. Not a day goes by when something Research on Religion at McGill University sor Kim from those years doesn’t inform my where he will be working on Cusa and on Kierans research, methods, or thought.” Renaissance iconography. The research will include Cusa’s ecumenism and his has packed Neoplatonic unification of philosophy and more than Kim has put her well-informed thought the Abrahamic religions. James’ mother, seems hu- to work in diverse ways since finishing Patricia (BA, 1980), father, Peter (BA, manly pos- the Honours BA in 1983. She stayed 1976; MA, 1978) and sister, Barbara (BA, sible into a with CBC until 1997, writing and pro- 2006) all share with him good memories of varied and ducing numerous articles and documen- study in the Department. adventur- taries, while simultaneously teaching ous career journalism at King’s. She completed a DAVID CREESE (Honours in Classics and that has seen her rise to positions of great Master’s degree at Saint Mary’s Univer- French, 1995), after a MA here in 1997 responsibility in the university and in sity in 2003 and in the same year became with a thesis on “The Origin of the Greek Tortoise-Shell Lyre” written under Dr Ather- professional journalism. “I plan to refresh Director of the School of Journalism, ton, received a PhD in Classics from the my Greek in retirement,” she notes with a post which she held until 2010, when University of Birmingham. David returned relish evident as we speak in her office she assumed her current responsibilities to Canada and rose to be an Associate at King’s, where she currently serves as as Vice-President. While publishing and Professor of Greek and Latin Literature at Vice-President and Professor of Journal- speaking prolifically in her field, Kierans UBC. David has moved back to England, ism. But it is difficult to imagine her ever has also found time to teach internation- this time to Newcastle University, where he retiring completely, or even for long, from ally; she has been involved for close to a took up a Lectureship in Classics, within the various professional pursuits that she decade in teaching journalism in Cambo- the School of History, Classics and Archae- so obviously and energetically loves. dia under the auspices of the Canadian ology in the Fall of 2011. He continues International Development Agency the research on Greek and Roman music begun with us. See his website: http://www. After growing up in Alexandria, Ontario, and in the Philippines at the Ateneo de ncl.ac.uk/historical/staff/profile/david.creese Kim came east to earn a Diploma in Jour- Manila University, both in person and nalism at Holland College in Charlotte- online. “It is very humbling to teach in HANS FEICHTINGER (MA 2003 with the town, Prince Edward Island, and lingered these places,” she says pensively. “There Governor General’s Gold Medal) went on to on the Island for a few years in the late are great obstacles facing journalists in a Doctorate in Patristic Theology at the Au- 1970s, working for CBC Radio. In order other parts of the world; this helps to gustinianum in Rome and to a post in the to advance further, however, she was told spark a higher commitment and level Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. by her boss that she needed a university of learning on their part.” She remains While continuing his work in the Vatican, degree. “King’s was my first choice,” she true to her earlier words about being Monsignor Feichtinger is now pursuing a recalls. “The Foundation Year Programme informed by her classical studies. When doctorate in philosophy from the Hochschule für Philosophie SJ was the perfect complement to journal- questioned about the relevance of study- in Munich. He was happy to receive a ism; stories have a past and must be ing the ancient and medieval world, she dispensation from seminars in ancient and investigated in their subtleties.” At age chuckles. “Classics is definitely relevant. medieval philosophy in virtue of his studies twenty-four, she quit her job in Charlotte- One acquires loads of transferable skills. in the Department. The working title of his town, came to Halifax to begin the Foun- I’m a better teacher, a better journalist, thesis is dation Year Programme, and “fell in love and a better administrator through hav- “(Bild und) Bildung bei Augustinus.” with reading primary texts.” This happy ing studied Classics. Spending time with experience naturally drew her to the great thinkers and great literature makes PETER W. HARRIS Classics Department, where she took an one better in all facets of life.” (First Class Honours, Honours degree (combined with Political 1968) was made Doc- tor in Sacra theologia Science). “It was tough! And it was great!” at the special King’s she enthuses, eyes sparkling. “The rigour We are grateful to Chris Grundke and to Kim Convocation for the In- of the subject, the need for critical think- Kierans for the interview on which this profile stallation of President ing, the intellectual depth of the Depart- was based. Anne Leavitt on Octo- ment were all very attractive.” She recalls ber 21st 2011. Peter is Rector of St Peter’s long discussions with James Doull, seated Anglican Cathedral in Charlottetown. His comfortably in his chair with one arm Classics background came into play in the ceaselessly rotating while he spoke, as was award of the honorary DD, because Peter his wont. She remembers the sheer intel- was recognised for his scholarly liturgical lectual stimulation of the seminar on Ar- expertise, and his leadership in the revival of ancient and medieval liturgy. He has istotle’s De Anima that Professors Doull, recreated Sarum Masses in both Halifax Grant, and Hankey conducted. Kim and Toronto, and he celebrates a Latin shivers slightly when recalling how one of High Mass regularly in Charlottetown. her own arguments in that seminar was systematically dissected. “But even that ALUMNI PROFILE: Patrick Graham, MA 1993 In a time when most of the world wanted to be Shah Massoud. Massoud was the leader and its relation to the world, then you are sneaking out of Afghanistan, reporter Patrick of the Northern Alliance, a political and willing to see that Salafism is not simply Graham was dressed as a woman and sneaking military organization who many believed a terrorist organization, it is a particular in. He has been hosted by warlords and present to be Afghanistan’s only hope against expression of a belief and we can under- in the Middle East during some of the most vola- the Taliban, “and Osama Bin Laden stand it.” Patrick says the argument some tile times in its recent history. But Patrick has killed him two days before 9/11.” Patrick make about 9/11 being an irrational and more recently found himself carrying over those says, “It was part of Bin Laden’s plan to incomprehensible act, “we can shake our experiences and turning them into film. protect himself in Afghanistan, by taking heads in disgust at what happened or we out the only leader who could take out the can realize that we can understand what Ontarian Taliban. And that was true. Things would is going on, these worlds are comprehen- Patrick first probably be very different in Afghanistan sible.” came to if he were still alive.” Nova Sco- Despite the difficulties of life in the tia in 1984 Patrick describes Afghanistan in 2001 as Afghanistan, Patrick found before and because, “it “a mess...People were living on horse fod- after 9/11 that the remarkable thing was about der which was a neurotoxin, people were about the Middle East is the hospital- as far away becoming permanently paralyzed. It was ity, “In the Middle East and a lot of the from To- rock bottom.” Muslim countries the tradition of hosting, ronto as I could get without going West, as we’ve got it in Homer, is extremely where I had family,” he says with a laugh. Patrick wants people to know that Afghan strong.” Patrick chalks it up to the cul- He enrolled in the Foundation Year Luke is not a documentary, “It’s really tures of these countries being incredibly Programme at King’s, where he lived im- about the relation of that western sense un-bureaucratic, these societies are really mediately above Professor Wayne Hankey, of journalists ‘getting the story’ and get- connected by friendship. at the time Don of Radical Bay. Follow- ting the facts...when you get over there, ing a few years at King’s, he transferred to it all turns out to be an agreed upon fic- And friendship, Patrick says, is what the New York City and Columbia University, tion.” Patrick goes on, “it’s also about the movie is ultimately about. “You go to where he finished the degree in Classics limitations of that ‘enlightened’ western these places and these people go out of he had started here. Following graduation, sense of journalism which seems deter- their way to help you, give you an extraor- he worked for Doctors Without Borders mined to fit parts of the world we are dinary welcome because they don’t relate and then returned to Dalhousie and com- discovering into categories.” to each other in a way that is, especially in pleted his Masters under the direction of Afghanistan, contractual or bureaucratic.” Dr Robert Crouse in 1993. “I wrote my Within the film, the main character, Luke, And that, Patrick says, is ultimately what thesis on the shortest possible Platonic says of Afghanistan that, “You are trying the movie is about, “That’s what happens Dialogue,” Patrick recalls with a chuckle, to make sense of a place that makes no when you go into these foreign cultures, referring to Plato’s Ion. sense.” Patrick says it’s not that it doesn’t you make friends.” make sense, it is just radically other than Since leaving the department, Patrick has the West, “We look at these places as The film, which originally began as a tele- gone on to work as an internationally ac- foreign places that will one day be liberal vision series, was co-written with Douglas claimed freelance journalist, whose work democracies, or shades of them, and they Bell and Barrie Dunn and directed by covering the Middle East provides subject simply do not look at themselves like that. Mike Clattenburg (some of those names matter for his film,Afghan Luke. It’s not that they don’t want education or may sound familiar as creators of the rights for women it’s just that they don’t Trailer Park Boys). It premiered in Halifax Specifically, the film draws on Patrick’s look to the West for any of it.” in October 2011, drawing many members experiences reporting from Afghanistan of the Department, old and new. prior to 9/11 and Iraq shortly after 9/11. Patrick praises Classical study and the The main character, Luke (Nick Stahl), is Classics Department as a way of under- This profile was written by Colin Nicolle, a a young journalist who witnesses what he standing a place which seems not only graduate of the King’s School of Journalism believes to be Canadian snipers mutilat- a world apart from us, but also incom- who is now working toward a degree in Classics. ing Taliban corpses. When he pitches prehensible, “it opens you up to see We are grateful to him and to Patrick for the the story to his editors back home, they that, well, if you think of theology as interview on which Colin based the profile. refuse it and tell him not to pursue it. an expression of the human personality Luke goes back to Afghanistan with his filmmaker friend to try and get the story himself; along the way, begins to under- stand the adage, which is used in the film, “everything is true but the facts.”

When talking about the film, Patrick relays his experiences in the summer immediate- ly before 9/11, where he was in Afghani- stan chasing down a story about Ahmad Actor Nick Stahl plays the title character in Patrick Graham’s movie Afghan Luke ALUMNOTES

L. MICHAEL HARRINGTON (MA, 1997) has appointed to a tenure track post in medieval MICHELLE WILBAND earned an MA in just published his third book: On the Eccle- philosophy at Saint Thomas University in 2008 in Classics with a thesis supervised siastical Hierarchy: The Thirteenth-Century Fredericton (in which he will succeed Dr by Dr Hankey on Eriugena and went on to a Paris Textbook Edition (Peeters). Like the Eli Diamond). He writes: “I am thrilled to Teaching Fellowship in the Foundation Year other two, A Thirteenth-Century Textbook have the appointment, and to be coming Programme at King’s where she taught for of Mystical Theology at the University of back home to Canada. My wife, Claudia two years. Having moved to Montreal with Paris. The Mystical Theology of Dionysius Robinson, will be coming with me, and we Daniel who is studying international law at the Areopagite in Eriugena’s Latin Transla- will be moving sometime in July or August. I McGill, Michelle has now been appointed tion and Sacred Place in Early Medieval expect to defend my dissertation in late July to the Humanities Department at Dawson Neoplatonism, this monograph continues or early August and to receive my PhD at College. the line of research he undertook here on the end of August.” Eriugena. However, when he last visited, FLORENCE YOON (First Class Honours Michael reported that he was exploring more STEPHEN RUSSELL (BA First Class and the University Medal in Classics and distant fields and was off to China to work Honours and the University Medal in Clas- the King’s Medal, 2002) went on to Oxford on Mandarin. Michael is Associate Professor sics 2003), after an MA here in 2005 with a University as a Rhodes Scholar and of Philosophy and Undergraduate Advisor at thesis on Sophocles’ Ajax, received a PhD completed a DPhil in Classics there in 2008 Duquesne University. from McMaster University in 2011 with a with a dissertation on the use of anonymous dissertation entitled “Reading Ovid’s Medea: characters in Greek tragedy. After an initial TORRANCE KIRBY, who came out of the Complexity, Unity, and Humour.” His most appointment as a visiting faculty member at stunningly brilliant 1973-74 class of the recent conference paper was on madness in UBC, Florence has now succeeded David Foundation Year Programme into a Honours Ovid’s Medea for the Classical Association Creese in a tenure track post in Greek and BA (1976) and a MA (1978) in Classics and of Canada annual meeting this May 8, 2012. Roman Literature there. a DPhil in History at Oxford, was elected Since January 2010 he has worked as an a Fellow of the Royal Historical Society adjunct professor at Canisius College in Buf- (UK) earlier this year. He will be a Visiting falo, New York, where he teaches classes in Scholar at the American Academy in Rome. Roman History, Greek Civilization, Classical Tory is Professor of Ecclesiastical History Mythology, and Latin. Stephen also teaches and Director of the Centre for Research on part-time at McMaster University. Religion at McGill University (http://people. mcgill.ca/torrance.kirby.) Tory’s services to KRISTIN SLONSKY graduated with a BA our Department are many: not only is there with First Class Honours (2004) and MA a continuing flow of students back and forth (2008) from the Department. Kristin had between Religion at McGill and Dalhousie been teaching Latin and Greek at the Uni- Classics, but also Tory was crucial to our versity of Nevada, Las Vegas since October finding the first Shaar Shalom Synagogue 2009. Last Fall she started a PhD in Clas- Gregory MacIsaac, BA ‘92, standing lecturer, one of his colleagues at McGill. Tory sics with an emphasis in Ancient History at in Proclus’ house gave a paper at last year’s CAC conference the State University of New York at Buffalo, here (published in Dionysius 29, 2011) and which is being funded by both a teaching as- “I think I am standing near the spot we are hoping to have him speak to us dur- sistantship and a Dean’s Scholarship. where the pig was found, sacri- ing the coming academic year. ficed to make the house ready for Athena’s move there, after the PAIGE HOCHSCHILD, after an Honours cult statue was removed from the DAVID PUXLEY (Honours 2002, MA 2005) degree with us, Paige wrote a thesis under Parthenon.” is graduating from the Atlantic School of Dr Robert Crouse entitled “Et ex qua parte Theology with a MDiv and was ordained as a stet victoria nescio: A Commentary on Book transitional deacon in the Anglican Church of X of Augustine’s Confessions” for an MA Canada on 11 June. He and his wife have a she received in 1998. Paige holds a PhD in son, Simon, who was 3 on June 12th. Dave Theology from Durham University and now works as a denominational chaplain at the teaches Philosophy at Mount St. Mary’s NOW IT’S YOUR TURN Halifax Infirmary. University in Emmitsburg, Maryland. Her Do you have an interesting book on Augustine is coming out in this Fall MATTHEW ROBINSON (First Class from Oxford University Press, Memory in story to share? Know of a Honours in Classics, 2000; MA, 2002) Augustine’s Theological Anthropology. Dedi- former classmate who is doing wrote a thesis on Augustine on Time here cated to Fr Crouse, it continues the research something exciting and news- and went on to a Teaching Fellowship in Paige began with him. the Foundation Year Programme at King’s, worthy? where he had once been a student. He is SEAN SWANICK while obtaining a Master’s completing a PhD in medieval philosophy in Library and Information Studies at at Boston College with a dissertation on the Dalhousie University, Halifax (2009) took the WE WANT TO HEAR reception of the Arab-Aristotelian account of Intermediate Arabic class in the Depart- FROM YOU! the agent intellect by early thirteenth century ment and audited the Advanced level. As a Augustinians (John of la Rochelle, Alexander result, from November 2009 he has been of Hales, William of Auvergne, Bonaventure, Islamic Studies Liaison Librarian at McGill Please send all comments, and two anonymous Latin thinkers). He University. He holds a blog (maktabahsharq. suggestions, ideas or inquiries presented a paper drawn from this research blogspot.com/) that students of Arabic ap- to [email protected] at the Classical Association of Canada preciate and consult. His web page is conference here last year which is published http://mcgill.academia.edu/SeanSwanick in Dionysius 29 (2011). Matt has just been Congratulations again to the Class of 2012.

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Our newest alumni pose with Dr. Eli Diamond at Dalhousie’s Spring Convocation. May 22, 2012. L-R: Christopher McKelvie, Luke Togni, Gillian Durdin, Peter Hay, Gerjan Altenburg, Dr. Eli Diamond, Max (Zicheng) Ma, Bruce Russell

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