This past weekend, Delta Chi — St. Olaf’s chapter of the Classics Honor Society Eta Sigma Phi — hosted the society’s 97th annual convention. Over the course of the weekend, more than 60 students from participating colleges and universities around the nation came together to present research, elect new national officers, and enjoy the company of their fellow classicists.
St. Olaf took a unique approach to hosting, with Saturday’s activities including three breakout sessions. The first was led by the recently retired Professor Emeritus of Classics Steve Reece, titled “The Fathers of Telemachus: Four Instances of a Formulaic Phrase in Homer’s ‘Odyssey.’”
Assistant Professor of Classics, Peter Munch led the second session, titled “Introduction to Latin Epigraphy,” and the Delta Chi Chapter Officers led the third session, “Ludi et Artes / ἀγῶνες καὶ τέχναι / Games and Crafts,” which offered interactive activities such as weaving and “pin the knife on the Caesar.”
The weekend’s events included the election of Violet Ecklund ’26 as Eta Sigma Phi’s 2025-26 ‘Megale Prytanis,’ or National President, of the honor society.
In an interview with The Olaf Messenger, Delta Chi Officer Emma Winkler ’26 reflected on the convention.
“It was great to meet students from other colleges with similar interests,” Winkler said. “They were super passionate, and it made me feel like the classics are alive and not a dying field.”
For those interested in joining the Delta Chi chapter of Eta Sigma Phi at St. Olaf, contact chapter advisor Professor Hillary Bouxsein for more information about credit and GPA requirements.
