Meet Our Students and Alumni

Classics students in Sperlonga.

Classics students and faculty visit Sperlonga, Italy

Meet Jackson, the Department of Classics undergraduate Ambassador for the College of Arts and Sciences. College Ambassadors are student volunteers who have been nominated by faculty and staff after demonstrating a commitment to academic excellence and community engagement. 

Jackson Slahta

What's your best advice for new students?

"The best piece of advice I can give to a new student is, even though it can be difficult especially when you’re a freshman, to try to speak to people in your classes, and to your professors. This will help you forge some good relationships in your major early on in your college career, and it’s also just a great way to meet people with similar interests to you. I also encourage new students to take a few classes outside of your major and explore your peripheral interests, you never know what new passions you may discover."

 


 

Alumni Testimonials

A heartfelt thank you to these amazing alums for sharing their stories with us!

  • William Duffy.
    William Duffy, PhD '11

    After finishing my PhD this past spring, I am about to cast off from fair Buffalo for San Antonio, Texas, where I will be a Visiting Instructor in the Department of Classics and Philosophy at the University of Texas San Antonio. My six years at UB were the best of my life, and I will always remember the professors, staff, and fellow graduate students who helped me get to where I am today. When I arrived at UB in 2005, I was an eager, but very raw, young BA who had minimal knowledge of Ancient History and Archaeology. The UB Classics Department’s curriculum gave me the chance to create a foundation in these areas while developing my primary research interest of Ancient Greek Epic. As a result, I acquired the multifaceted expertise in the ancient world needed to call myself a true classicist. This varied background, along with the help of Carolyn Higbie and my peerless thesis committee, proved vital in the writing of my dissertation, which included elements from throughout the Greek and Roman literary tradition. While my time at Buffalo may be finished for now, the knowledge and memories I’ve gained will keep me tethered to 338 Fillmore (the coolest department office at UB) forever. Thanks, and go Bulls!