Alumni Spotlight: Terek Walker, '22

Why did you choose to major in classics?
I chose classics after taking CLA003 with the late Professor Stem. I had so much fun learning about ancient Rome that I took the follow-up course, CLA004, and also had a great time learning about late antiquity. After my first year, it became clear that I wanted to study classics.

What are you up to now?
I am currently a first-year graduate student pursuing a Ph.D. in classics at Cornell University. I currently don't have a specific area of study, but I am interested in the intersection between funerary inscriptions and literature more broadly.

How did your experience at UC Davis prepare you for the next step in your academic and professional journey?
Aside from the standard course of study, I got a lot of great advice and mentorship from my professors. Everyone in the classics department is supremely helpful and very willing to give advice about everything, from grad school admissions to just life in general. Go to their office hours! Take the opportunity to get some valuable advice. It will come in handy down the road.

What’s your advice for someone considering this major?
Start your language education early. The more Latin and Greek you can get under your belt, the better. Learning languages takes time and practice, so start sooner rather than later.

What was your favorite part of the undergraduate program here?
Definitely the people. Everyone, from faculty to the other students, was so friendly and helpful. I feel like the classics department has such a great community and that everyone is willing to help each other succeed and thrive.

What are you most proud of from your experience here?
I feel like I learned a lot and I'm quite happy with the writing sample I made for grad school admissions. It was by far the most ambitious paper I wrote in undergrad.

What were you involved in outside of class?
I frequently attended meetings of the Classical Studies Association, and even served as club president in my senior year. It's a great group of people and you don't have to be a classics major to join!