LAURENTIUS ME FECIT: in memoriam CAAS Leader Dr. Lawrence E. Gaichas, emeritus Duquesne University

Click here to read online obituary published in Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Please read below tribute written by Henry Bender, CAAS Treasurer

Click here to read tribute in PDF format

On August 7, 2019 Lawrence E. Gaichas passed away. For long time members of CAAS, the mention of his name brings back many decades of Larry’s meticulous and patient work to produce and maintain the Directory of College and University Classicists in the United States and Canada.

The CAAS Directory consisted of four editions. Sponsored by CAAS, each was the product of exhaustive information gathering achieved through the cooperation of Duquesne University.

The first three editions, the third of which appeared in 1992, were published by Classical World and appeared in the normal binding of the Journal.  The thickness of each Directory steadily increased. Their frequent use often led to the breaking of the gum back bindings and pages would inevitably fall out.

While 1992 edition contained about 400 email addresses, under Larry’s direction, registrations utilizing the internet, email, and surface mail, grew exponentially. In four years, the Directory more than doubled reaching a data base of over 2000 classicists.

The 1996 Fourth Edition of 336 pages featured a unique metal comb back binding making the book durable and easy to use. It took its rightful place between the Liddell and Scott and Oxford Latin Dictionary on every Classicist’s desk—a tome of contact information. Proudly on its final page appeared: LAURENTIUS ME FECIT.

Larry was a personable, steady and humorous educator whose close friend and “co-conspirator” was CAAS’ unique Jerry Clack. That duo of Larry and Jerry, the Duquesne Classics core, marked many CAAS Board meetings and social gatherings. My recollections of which go back to 1981. Larry was dependable, patient, and sensible. A gifted airplane pilot, he often flew his plane at fund raising events taking small groups airborne.  He is mourned by his large family and we, his extended CAAS family, remember him with fondness.

Henry V. Bender

St Joseph’s University

 

 

The 2020 Fall Virtual Annual Meeting of the Classical Association of the Atlantic States

When: Thursday, October 8 to Saturday, October 10

Where:  [virtual/Zoom – meeting has ended]

Program: Click here to download the Program for 2020 Annual Meeting (updated Sept 29, 2020)

Letter from CAAS President: Click here to read or download Letter from Ralph Rosen (updated Sept 9, 2020)

Letter from CAAS Executive DirectorClick here to read or download Letter from Mary Brown  (updated Sept 4, 2020)

Election/Ballot Form:  Click here to view and download Election ballot form

Exhibitors and Vendors: 

  • Click here to register for meeting via JHUP
  • Click here to email for addition to Virtual Exhibit Hall

Fall 2020 Registration Form (register online):

  • Registration is now closed

Call for Ovationes for 2021 meeting – deadline July 30, 2020 – click here for details and nomination form

We look forward to seeing you virtually!

Call for Ovationes for Fall 2021 (Due July 30, 2020)

Each year at its annual meeting the Classical Association of the Atlantic States presents ovationes to members selected by the Awards Committee for their significant service to the discipline and the organization. The ovatio is read in Latin by a colleague close to the honoree at a plenary luncheon, while copies of the ovatio in Latin and English are distributed to attendees.

The ovatio recognizes long and distinguished service to CAAS and/or to the classics community by those in the CAAS region, especially by those retiring or concluding a long term of service.

The Awards Committee is now accepting nominations for 2021 CAAS ovationes, to be presented at the 2021 October annual meeting. Nominees and nominators need to be CAAS members in good standing. To nominate a candidate to the Awards Committee for an ovatio, please download and complete the nomination form at https://caas-cw.org/wp/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/CAAS-award-nomination-form-rev-0316.doc, and procure a copy of your nominee’s CV or resume.

Please send your completed nomination form and your nominee’s CV or resume as email attachments to the Chair of the Awards Committee, Sarah Ferrario (ferraris@cua.edu) by July 30, 2020.

Thank you very much for assisting the committee in its work.

2019-2020 Awards Committee: Sarah Ferrario, Chair (2015-2017, 2017-2019, 2019-21); Fred Booth (2019-21); Timothy Renner (2018-2020); Maria Marsilio, Program Coordinator, liaison