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College of Arts and Sciences

National Latin Exam Winners Celebrated

Jacob, Marek, Sean, Liam

From left to right: Jacob Ballway, Marek Chmielewski, Sean Hoey, Liam Barry

The Department of Languages, Literatures and Cultures (LLC) announces the Seton Hall students who achieved medals and certificates for this year’s National Latin Exam (NLE), which “celebrates the teaching and learning of the Latin language, its literature and culture and its lasting influence in the modern world.”

The exam tests students on eight levels of proficiency; skills evaluated include reading comprehension, prose, poetry and overall ability in the language. The various exams include questions on grammar, comprehension, mythology, derivatives, literature, Roman life, history, geography, oral Latin and Latin in use in the modern world. The Reading Comprehension exams at all levels contain Latin prose and/or poetry passages as the basis for questions on grammar, comprehension, historical background, classical literature and literary devices.

​Kathleen Kidder, Ph.D., visiting assistant professor who heads the Classics program under the LLC, stated, “The students’ outstanding performance on this test demonstrates that their hard work has really paid off.” She added, “Teaching Classic subject matters through modern activities such as Minecraft and Kahoot! allows us to bridge the ages and bring ancient but enduring materials into the modern world.” The Classics Program offers courses in both Latin and Ancient Greek as well as studies of Greco-Roman prose, poetry and culture. Students in seminary, law school and pre-law, medicine, philosophy and more find the program well-suited to contemporary studies that maintain the enduring influences of the Classical Age.

The following students are recognized for their accomplishments in the exam taken this Spring 2026 semester:

Gold Summa Cum Laude
Beginning Latin:

  • Jacob Ballway
  • Liam Barry
  • Kevin Bornemann
  • Marek Chmielewski
  • Ben Cimorelli
  • Patryk Dziedzic
  • Sean Hoey
  • Jaden Manuel
  • Chandler Webb

Silver Maxima Cum Laude 
Beginning Latin:

  • Rowan Pham 

Intermediate Reading Comprehension:

  • Magdalena Himmelwright
  • Olivia Webster

Magna Cum Laude
Beginning Latin:

  • Landis Cramer
  • Helen Jakubowicz
  • Nicholas Jandernoa 

Intermediate Reading Comprehension:

  • Richard Koba

Cum Laude
Beginning Latin:

  • Kayhlynn Dickey
  • Andrew Vartabedian

Intermediate Latin:

  • Tia Collins
Kayhlynn Dickey and Brother CJ Webb

Kayhlynn Dickey and Brother CJ Webb

The NLE provides renewable college scholarships to exceptional students as well as mentoring and financial support to future Latin teachers. In addition to funding teachers to attend professional development conferences, the NLE also provides financial support for graduate work, professional learning and travel opportunities.

For more about the Classical Culture and Classical Languages minors at Seton Hall.

Students can also join the Seton Hall Theta Delta chapter of Eta Sigma Phi, the National Honor Society for Classical Studies. 

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