The Indiana Classical Conference has named Marilyn Bisch, lecturer in Latin at Indiana State University, as its 2005 Post-Secondary Teacher of the Year.

The ICC is the official statewide organization for teachers, scholars and laypersons interested in the study of classical Greek and Roman languages and cultures. It was founded in 1963 to promote the appreciation, study and teaching of the classics in Indiana. The annual award recognizes outstanding service to university students and to the profession of classical scholarship.

In presenting the award, ICC president David S. Banta, assistant professor of classics at Hanover College, remarked that Bisch's "work in building up and maintaining the classics program at Indiana State University is highly laudable, and we in the Indiana Classical Conference are quite proud, even somewhat humbled, to be able to recognize this service through this award."

While the ICC award applauds Bisch's efforts in building the classical language program at ISU, she insists students are the real reason for the program's growth and strength.

"ISU students are smart and curious. They know there is real value in learning about ancient Greece and Rome," she said. "Classical languages profoundly influenced the English language. Classical cultures are the foundation of modern American, democratic society. To learn about a classical culture is to better understand our own. To learn a Classical language is to better understand how all languages, even computer languages, work. Those are benefits that translate into academic success, better grades and higher test scores in any major."

A report compiled in May shows that students who had completed at least one year of Latin at ISU between Spring 2003 and Spring 2005 had an average cumulative grade point average of 3.22 on a 4.0 scale. In addition, the report shows that 86 percent of those students had either graduated from the university or were continuing students at ISU.

Bisch became a member of the ISU classics faculty in 1998. During this time, enrollments in classical language courses have consistently increased, with enrollments in first-year Latin language courses alone more than quadrupling. She currently teaches all levels of Latin and ancient Greek language, courses in ancient literature and culture for the Department of Languages, Literatures and Linguistics and the University Honors Program, and is academic advisor to classical language students. Bisch also serves as faculty advisor for the ISU Gamma Alpha chapter of Eta Sigma Phi, the national classical honorary society.

This student organization sponsors campus and community events, including Latin Fest and other outreach programs for area high school Latin students.

The ISU Department of Languages, Literatures and Linguistics offers classical language students minors in Latin, Latin teaching and classical studies. Students can also combine Latin with study in linguistics or a modern language for a major in cross linguistics.