Nobel laureate and astrophysicist Professor Brian Schmidt AC officially opened the ANU Centre for Classical Studies in the ANU School of Literature, Languages and Linguistics on 8 October. He spoke spoke warmly and affirmingly about the importance to the university of the Humanities in general and Classics in particular. He spoke of loving Archimedes, being puzzled by Plato, and joked that he would not be a Trojan Horse.

 

>> CityNews Article 'Bright future for classics at ANU, says Schmidt'

The Centre for Classical Studies wishes to thank all our colleagues who attended the launch.  The event attracted a great crowd, which easily filled Classics Museum.  Special thanks to Catherine Travis for her support, and to Interim CASS Dean, Professor Paul Pickering, for his speech supporting the importance of Classics.

Thank you also to Fiona Sweet-Formiatti for much help in organizing the event, and to all our wonderful, wonderful students, both undergraduate and postgraduate, who helped prepare and serve food and drinks, interviewed unsuspecting attendees, took part in the photo-op with Brian Schmidt on Wednesday, and generally demonstrated their enthusiasm for Classics. And especial thanks Nanette Bragg, for so generously giving her time and skill to prepare the excellent food, and to Sarah Muller for speaking movingly about the joys of being a Classics student at ANU.