Drake Bishop Inducted into Classical Society at H-SC

2012 May 8

Johnathon Drake Bishop, a sophomore majoring in biology at Hampden-Sydney College, was initiated into the Beta Theta chapter of Eta Sigma Phi, the national honorary classical society. Drake is a graduate of Nottoway High School and is the son of John Bishop and Cynthia & Mark Longest, all of Blackstone.

Eta Sigma Phi is the national honorary collegiate society for students of Latin and/or Greek. Members are elected by local chapters which have been chartered by the Society. The Beta Theta chapter was established at Hampden-Sydney in 1942; the national organization, in 1924. The purposes of the Society, in the words of the Constitution, are "to develop and promote interest in classical study among the students of colleges and universities; to promote closer fraternal relationship among students who are interested in classical study, including inter-campus relationship; to engage generally in an effort to stimulate interest in classical study, and in the history, art, and literature of ancient Greece and Rome."

A private college for men, Hampden-Sydney is ranked in the top tier of liberal arts colleges by U.S. News & World Report. The College is known for its liberal arts curriculum, the Honor Code which stresses individual and collective responsibility, and a focus on the needs of young men.