Grey Maggiano

❍ Year of graduation: 2003
❍ Assistant priest, Trinity Episcopal Cathedral, Miami, FL


Question: How did you to decide to major in Spanish at Williams?

Grey Maggiano: I wanted to speak Spanish fluently in order to work in Latin America.

Question: What are some of your favorite memories of classes, readings, professors, or study abroad experiences?

Grey Maggiano: Too many to mention!

  1. Don Quijote with Prof Rouhi. Just a tremendous class. Continues to shape how I read literature (and scripture.)
  2. Senior capstone course. Writing a paper a week, reading a text a week really pushed me to focus and to read a diversity of texts.
  3. Studying abroad in Sevilla (via UNC) I took all of my courses at the Universidad de Sevilla, with Spanish students and professors. I was able to take courses in philosophy, anthropology, and history as well as literature and broadened my vocabulary and knowledge base. I don’t know what study abroad programs are available now but a total immersion program is critical I think.
  4. Getting to study with the incredibly bright Nicholas Goodbody. I am very lucky to have been able to sit in class with him and see the difference between a student and a scholar.
  5. Getting to meet Mario Vargas Llosa, hear him speak, and get him to autograph a book for me.
  6. Reading Garcia Marquez and Faulkner together with Gene. Again continues to shape how I understand literature and the world.

Question: How did majoring in Spanish help prepare you for what you do now?

Grey Maggiano: I am a Deacon and soon to be priest in a bilingual congregation. I’ve spent the better part of my time since graduation working in central and South America supporting the church. My Spanish lit helped me to understand not just language but culture and, more importantly, HOW to get to understand a new culture.

On a personal note, I also am now the father of two daughters that are being raised bilingual. The youngest is currently on a ventilator in the ICU and we spend our nights reading Becquer, Cervantes and Lorca because it gives me something to focus on.

Thanks to everyone in the Spanish dept at Williams for that gift.