Harvard Workshop Offers Learning Opportunity for Trinity Student

English major Ethan Holmes ’15 of Blue Island, Illinois, represented Trinity at the second annual Ephebe’s Journey workshop at Harvard University’s Center for Hellenic Studies in Washington, D.C. in August.

Holmes attended the seminar on Sophocles’ play Philoctetes. At the seminar, open to college students and recent graduates working in government or other civic offices, students learned about being a citizen and a leader, both in ancient Greece and modern America.  

“We are thrilled that Ethan was accepted into the program, especially since he is a playwright, poet, and very interested in how arts and society go together,” said Professor of English Michael Vander Weele ’73.

Holmes said highlights of the conference included discovering how diverse, yet alike, all of the students were and the opportunity to contribute his Christian perspective. He found that traveling itself provided him with diverse perspectives, too, as he enjoyed a conversation with the ambassador of New Zealand during an evening walk and a dinner discussion with a homeless man.

With a longtime interest in writing, and plans to pursue further study in law or seminary, Holmes used the conference to strengthen his faith and knowledge, qualities that he witnessed in Trinity friends and drew him to transfer to the College from Moraine Valley Community College.

Holmes said he appreciates the many ways in which he has been encouraged to explore his love of writing, theology, and even science, at Trinity. “Trinity’s English department is a wild and wonderful place,” he said. “The professors demand a lot of students but deeply care about them.”

Holmes has attended three conferences while at Trinity and has had the opportunity to see his play, “Evensong,” performed and directed during Opus, the College’s annual celebration of student scholarship.