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Class of 2020: Leah Packard Grams

April 28, 2020
Leah Packard Grams

Major: Classical/Near Eastern Archaeology and Classical Languages 

Key Bryn Mawr Experiences: I curated an exhibit highlighting Bryn Mawr's role in the history of Egyptology with my best friends and our favorite professor; I explored the ruins of Hadrian's Wall during a torrential hailstorm with my classmates (& bravely led by Professor Jennie Bradbury!); I found a hapax legomenon in a Greek papyrus in Bryn Mawr's collections while researching on the Hanna Holborn-Gray Fellowship; I mended books for an on-campus job; I rode horses with the equestrian club; I swam in the cloisters fountain; I lived in Carrel T7 in Carpenter Library stacks; I wrote my thesis!

Hometown: Portland, ME

Post-graduation plans: Graduate student at UC Berkeley, pursuing my PhD in Ancient History and Mediterranean Archaeology

People you want to thank: My parents (John & Nancy!), my partner (Paige Peterson 鉂わ笍), and my cat (Carmalt) have made this experience possible, while my professors have made my experience fantastic, especially my incredible thesis advisor Professor Matt Farmer, Professor Susanna McFadden (now teaching at Hong Kong), Professor Charlie Kuper (now writing for the Latin thesaurus in Munich), Professor Anne Maguire, Professor Jennie Bradbury, Professor Astrid Lindenlauf, & Professor Radcliffe G. Edmonds III! Finally, I'd like to thank tea and vegan chocolate chip cookies, for almost single handedly fuelling this 5-year endeavor.

Biggest Regret: Not taking more classes with Professor Elly Truitt!

Biggest Triumph: Healing from a broken leg and continuing classes nonetheless!

What will you remember most about your time at Bryn Mawr?: The people I met and the words I read.


Members of the Class of 2020, we want to hear from you! Drop us a note at news@brynmawr.edu. Include a photo of yourself and let us know what you have planned for life after Bryn Mawr, who you'd like to thank, words of wisdom, or whatever else you'd like to say. We'll be sharing selected profiles on the College's website and social media channels over the next few weeks.

Department of Classical and Near Eastern Archaeology

Greek, Latin, and Classical Studies