More Courses for Prof. Theodoracopoulos

I not only enjoyed my classes with Prof. Theodoracopoulos (Greek and Roman Tragedy, Golden Age of Athens, and Roman Civ), but the knowledge I learned in them continues to help me now in graduate school. While only having me for a single semester in my first year, Prof T always had time for me to come and talk with him whenever he was in the office.

one of the most rewarding experiences with any professors I've had at hunter

9 years ago Featured

I took both Latin and Greek with Prof. Theodoracopoulos. Halfway through the Latin intensive I felt swamped by the pace and amount of information we had to know. I was ready to flee the class and never take a classics course again. Prof. Theodoracoupoulos convinced me to double up my effort, and not just continue in Latin but also register for Greek in the fall! Clearly, he knows his pedagogy and psychology as much as he knows his Latin. Prof. Theodoracopoulos converts people to classics and is by far the greatest apologist for its importance and continuity in a wider world. Do not waste your best resource!

9 years ago Featured

I stand emphatically behind this petition. It is because of my strong foundational study of Latin that I know to write "I stand emphatically" instead of "I emphatically stand," and that foundation began in my Greek and Latin Roots of English class with Professor Theodoracopoulos. His class set my love of language on fire, inspiring me to continue on to higher level Latin and Ancient Greek courses (like the 8am intensive class Katrina Powers wrote about) and even to cobble together my own Linguistics major through the Thomas Hunter Honors Program. Professor T taught some of the most memorable, engaging, and challenging courses I was privileged to take at Hunter. It would be a shame for his vim and vigor to be wasted on freshmen trying to fill a prerequisite.

When I reflect back on my undergraduate career at Hunter, Professor Theodoracopoulos stands out as one of the most intelligent, engaging, and passionate professors whom I have had the honor of knowing and learning from. I have had the privilege of being a student in Professor Theodoracopoulos's "Beginning Latin Intensive" (LAT 107) course, "Latin Reading" (LAT 110) course, and "Greek Reading" (GRK 110) course. My coursework with Professor Theodoracopoulos was interesting, fun, and rigorous. Professor Theodoracopoulos is not only an expert classicist and philologist, but also an excellent pedagogue. All too often students have professors who are absolute experts in their fields, but don't know the first thing about teaching. Professor Theodoracopoulos, on the other hand, embodies the heart and practices of an effective teacher, something that I'm able to recognize as a teacher with a Masters in Education. As such, Professor Theodoracopoulos is an asset to Hunter's Classics Department, and he should rightly have his course assignments increased so that his knowledge, skills, and gifts can be best utilized.

I took intensive beginning Latin with Professor Theodoracopoulos in 2009, a very difficult and extremely rewarding course that met from 8-10 am four days a week. Most of the students were unhappy about the time, but we always showed up. Professor Theodoracopoulos managed to make the class so engaging, and got all of us so interested in the frustrating intricacies of the language, that we wouldn't miss it. He was extremely helpful and encouraging to me when I came to see him during office hours, and he was directly responsible for persuading me to take another full year of Latin before I graduated. His influence, both in teaching me at the beginning level and convincing me to move on to a second year, has been enormously helpful in my doctoral studies in early modern Spanish literature at the University of Chicago. Many of the other students from the Latin class I took with him went on to pursue further studies in Classics, and all looked back on our introduction to Latin with fondness and gratitude. Offering Latin courses with Professor Theodoracopoulos as the instructor is a service to the Latin language and to the students of Hunter College.

Theo is like everyone's grandpa. He looks grumpy, smokes his pipeweed like a hobbit, glares at you when you make a grammatical error in Greek or Latin (usually Latin), laughs at his own jokes until he chokes, and would give you the shirt off of his back if you needed it. I took three classes with Theo and I only wish I could've taken 30 more. He is a gentleman and a scholar who takes nothing but the best you can give and will help you push out even more. The "[Latin] Dictionary", as he was once called, is able to connect with all levels of students, from those who were "exceeding expectations" to those like myself who were "acceptable". Whenever you need Theo, he is always an e-mail or visit away and is always willingly to help.

I have taken many classes with Prof. Theodoracopoulos as a senior auditor since 2011. I see no reason why he should not teach Latin and Greek grammar and translation classes on the major authors of antiquity. I attended his Latin Intensive class in the Spring 2011. I had taken Latin and Greek at Xavier High School. His Latin intensive was a great refresher course for me.

I had the pleasure of learning Latin with Professor Theodoracopoulos, an experience that introduced me to Classical studies which later became my major! I also took Roman Civ and a History of Athenian Democracy course taught by him. I was devastated when his course on Greek and Roman Historiographers was cancelled after I had enrolled. One of my only regrets from my time at Hunter was that I wasn't able to enroll in more courses with Prof Theo. He is not only a great teacher, but also a great coach and friend who pushes students to achieve at their highest capacity, with only their best interest in mind. I would love to see Professor Theodoracopoulos teaching more courses per semester, particularly language courses and higher level research courses. What he offers Hunter College is invaluable! I believe he should have more opportunity to inspire students.

I recall my time in Professor T’s Latin intensive class very fondly. I only regret that I was not able to take higher level Latin courses with him—my Latin would be much stronger than it is. Professor T influenced the course of my studies and continued to act as an informal academic adviser for years to come. My Hunter experience was greatly enriched by the sense of community that he fostered among myself and my classmates. I believe he is an asset to the Classics Department and the students of Hunter College.

Professor Theodoracopoulos helped focus me on my studies when I needed it most, showing care for me as a person first, then as a student. Even though he enjoys anchovies on his pizza, no one can question his intellect and knowledge in regards to anything related to Classics. I was happy to call him my professor and mentor and proud to regard him as a friend.

Taking Intensive Latin with Prof. Theo my freshman year is the best decision I made as a Hunter undergrad. He's undoubtedly the reason I chose to pursue the Classics major. I couldn't begin to speak on his knowledge of the field--in both language and culture. He's compassionate, supportive, and actually encourages scholarship; he's a gem within the department. It seems silly that I'm arguing the fact that he deserves, and is qualified, to teach any of the CLA, LAT, and GRK courses offered at our school. It's a pleasure and privilege sitting in your classroom, Magister.

I took Professor Theodoracopolous' Latin intensive class while a BA student at Hunter. Professor Theodoracopolous taught his class with passion and always pushed his students to do their best. Outside of the classroom, he has been a consistent source of support, offering valuable advice and numerous letters of recommendations for jobs and academic programs. His advice and support was instrumental when I was applying for PhD programs. Over the years, I have been disheartened at the fact that Professor Theodoracopoulos has not been able to teach the courses he has wanted to, not given adequate recognition for all his work within the department. In a school like Hunter, where it is easy for students to feel like not more than a name on a list, it is educators like Professor Theodoracopoulos who make all the difference.

9 years ago Featured

Professor Theodoracopoulos taught my Latin Intensive course as well as further intermediate study courses on the subject of that are other Classics subject. He remains the GREATEST TEACHER WITH WHOM I'VE EVER WORKED. I'm 36 years old and had attended educational institutions all over the US and the world. His passion for the subject, breadth of knowledge and inherent love of language make him a master. His ability to communicate with students and go the extra mile to ensure that they succeed and "get" the sometimes hard to crack system that is Classics makes him one of our country's greatest teachers. When I remember Hunter College, I remember Prof. T. Learning from him taught me that teaching can truly be a vocation. I am yours, sincerely, Lauren Elizabeth D'Alvia

Professor Elias Theodoracopoulos had a profoundly positive impact on my experience as an undergraduate student at Hunter College. As a first-generation college student, Professor T was one of the first professors to believe in my ability to excel academically. He did this by maintaining a paradoxical balance between a caring commitment to support me when I was challenged and a ruthless demand for high expectations to keep me challenged. He continued to serve as a mentor to me even when I was not in one of his classes, encouraging me through the graduate application process until I ended up in a master's program at Princeton. I say without hyperbole that Professor T. brings a unique spirit to the Classics Department, without whom my own learning experience would most likely not have been as rigorous or meaningful. So, I urge the administrators and department heads to consider the great merits of Professor T., whom I would often affectionately refer to as "Papa T", by giving current and future students the opportunity to receive the same quality educational experience that I had under his tutelage.

Professor Theodoracopoulos holds a very special place in my heart. It is because of his class that I decided to become a classics major—an option I had never even considered before meeting him. He is the one who introduced me to the study of ancient languages and was successful in proving to me their value today. How many other professors can persuade a classroom of 20 year olds to take an intensive Latin course—and at the end of it, leave them feeling inspired? I do not know if any other instructor would have taken the time to sit and talk with a student for hours, after classes or even on Saturday mornings. But that is the type of educator he is. Professor T helps lost students find their way and encourages them to learn as much as they possibly can. He wants to bring out everyone’s best and sincerely dislikes wasted potential. Instead of graduating early, I stayed an extra semester just so that I could take another class with him. It was a myth class: a course that as a classics honor student, I did not actually need. However, I wanted to be his student one last time and surprisingly, this was one his harder courses being offered. To limit him to a select few introductory classes is a disservice to the students who have not had him yet and an outrage to those who have. He has proven time and time again how invaluable he is and deserves the chance to diversify his course load. He has more than earned it.

Professor Theodoracopoulos is one of the few professors I've had who truly goes above and beyond with his students. I came to Hunter in 2009 to work towards my CUNY Baccalaureate in Religion. I had Intensive Latin with him-- there, he pushed us because he knew we were capable of it. And we were! Fast forward 7 years later, and I've returned to Hunter to pursue work in Classics. Not only did Professor Theodoracopoulos remember me, he took me under his wing to help guide me with courses and extra help. I've taken 4 classes with him at this point, and all of them have been invaluable. His knowledge in for the upper level Greek and Latin classes is extensive; he should be given the opportunity to work with students who are capable of such scholarship. It seems such a waste to put him in front of Intro Civ classes with a majority of students who are only there to fulfill requirements. I've been a teacher for 15 years, part of which time I was in charge of training teachers, and I can attest that his teaching is quite excellent. Classes are never dull, and students are engaged at all times. His passion and enthusiasm for the subject matter is palpable. Students are bereft without his knowledge in the upper level courses.

Prof T I support this petition 100%. We need more professors like Prof T not less! He is one of the best of not thee! He is an irreplaceable asset to Hunter College. If we can even dare to compete with other classics programs which are mostly Ivy leagues we cannot do without his unmatched expertise. I am an MA student of archaeology now because of him. I took Classical Latin Greek and Greek Civ with him. He has crafted amazing techniques of Imparting the classical Languages to students which are themselves some of the toughest areas of study. I decided to pass on becoming a biochemistry student after being inspired in his Greek Civ classes. We cannot allow the loss of these studies that are invaluable to our civilization and teachers like him should be treasured not thrown. He is engaging thought provoking and his passion for the classics motivates and encourages students. Give him as many classes as he wants!

I strongly support this petition.

Professor Elias has been a mentor to me for years after I graduated from Hunter College in 2007. He is passionate about his work and it's very upsetting to see that a platform is denied to him.