Graduate study in religion
Classics & History; Music (highest honors)
Completing a PhD in Religion at Columbia University
While at Emory, Zachary received the Dean’s Achievement Scholarship and the Clio Prize for Best Research paper from the Department of History. He was heavily involved with intramural sports, including swimming, volleyball, and sand volleyball, and with the Intravarsity and Journey Christian Fellowships. Zachary was also a member of several musical ensembles, including the Emory Symphony, Emory Wind Ensemble, and Emory Jazz Combo. In addition, he was active with Alpha Tau Omega, serving as Scholarship Chair and on the Lower Executive Board. After graduating from Emory, Zachary earned an MSt in Theology: Ecclesiastical History from the University of Oxford. His doctoral research focuses on the connections between Classical and Christian culture in Late Antiquity.
Q: What experiences at Emory prepared you for the Beinecke?
A: Emory provided me with numerous opportunities that prepared me for the Beinecke Scholarship. The BA/ MA program in the History Department focused my coursework and ensured that I was able to articulate my research interests. It also provided me with graduate-level seminar experiences from my sophomore year on that helped prepare me for graduate school.
Q: How has the Beinecke Scholarship impacted your academic/career path?
A: The Beinecke Scholarship helped fund the Master’s Program I completed at the University of Oxford and currently supports my conference travel when I present papers. It will also help fund archaeological work in Italy and an intensive German language program in Austria later in my program.
Q: What advice would you give current Beinecke applicants?
A: All of the nominees will have a stellar academic background, so it is essential to show how you stand out from the pool. How are you a leader on campus or in the community? What things are you passionate about and how do you pursue them? What challenges have you overcome to accomplish what you have? Have any of these informed your academic interests? It is also important to reflect on your future goals and to demonstrate how graduate school and the Beinecke will help you achieve them. Be as specific as possible and situate yourself within the bigger picture: What sort of impact will your goals have?