"Ever since I was little, I delved into Greek mythology," says psychology major Ainur Begim '07 of Aktobe City, Kazakhstan. "I was the 7-year-old nut who knew all the gods." Begim's intellectual devotion to the ancient civilization was recognized when she received a 2005 Phillips Student Fellowship. This Bates College award provides major funding for summer research projects involving meaningful immersion in different cultures.

Begim studied the Panathenaic Festival, the most important religious festival in ancient Athens, and one that maintained the ancient Greek social hierarchy through symbolism and ritual. In Athens, she investigated the ancient sites along the Panathenaic processional way, as well as objects in museum collections. She also visited the British Museum, London, to study the Elgin Marbles, which depict the Panathenaic procession.

"Religion is a passion I developed while taking a first-year seminar," Begim says. "What fascinates me about religion is that it's as much about history as psychology." Taught by Professor of Religion Robert Allison, "Ancient Stories to Modern Ears" considers the oral tales of Islam, Judaism and Christianity. Begim views the common roots of these traditions from a unique perspective: She grew up in a country that, as part of the former Soviet Union, officially had no religion.

"Professor Allison is a wonderful person who has been an important influence in my life and my academic career," says Begim, who has developed close friendships with other faculty, including the Israeli scholar Mishael Caspi, of the religion department, and his wife, Gila. "You don't just take classes at Bates. Here you make lifelong relationships with professors."