The John and Penelope Biggs Department of Classics is pleased to announce that two Washington University students earned national recognition in the 2026 Eta Sigma Phi National Translation Exams, a highly competitive contest drawing undergraduate participants from colleges and universities across the country.

Celeste French received Second Place in the Intermediate Latin Translation Exam, while William Nielsen earned an Honorable Mention in the Intermediate Greek Translation Exam. Their achievements place them among the top student translators nationwide this year. 

The Eta Sigma Phi National Translation Exams—formally known as the Maurine Dallas Watkins Sight Translation Contests—are held annually and are judged by faculty specialists in Greek and Latin. The 2026 intermediate-level exams included nearly twenty entries each, reflecting both the rigor of the competition and the high quality of student work submitted from institutions across the country. 

The Department of Classics is proud of Celeste French and William Nielsen for representing Washington University with distinction and for continuing the department’s tradition of excellence in classical languages.