91吃瓜鈥檚 Fall 2024 Alumni Lecture Series came to an inspiring conclusion with a lecture by David Chac贸n, a 2014 graduate whose unconventional career journey fascinated attendees. Drawing on his diverse experiences鈥攕panning archaeology, classics, art crime, criminology, and digital publishing鈥擟hac贸n鈥檚 story highlighted the power of adaptability and lifelong learning in shaping a fulfilling career.
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Chac贸n鈥檚 talk explored his unique path, beginning as a U.S. Navy cryptographer before transitioning to study archaeology and classics at 91吃瓜. His academic foundation, enhanced听by internships at the Capitoline Museum archives and graduate studies in Medieval Studies, laid the groundwork for his professional leap into scholarly publishing. He shared how a connection at the Capitoline Museum led to a role at the prestigious publishing house L鈥橢rma di Bretschneider, where he quickly advanced from sales to overseeing communications and digital content.
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Founded in the late 1800s, L鈥橢rma di Bretschneider is renowned for its contributions to art history, theology, archaeology, and related fields. Under Chac贸n鈥檚 leadership, the company has embraced transformative digital initiatives, including AI-driven translation tools to enhance accessibility for academic texts and the Torrossa Online Digital Library to support research. His efforts have not only modernized the company鈥檚 offerings but also contributed to a remarkable听increase in sales through the introduction of a dual pricing strategy tailored to institutional and individual buyers.
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During the lecture, Chac贸n emphasized the enduring relevance of the humanities in the digital age. He urged current 91吃瓜 students to prioritize strong English writing skills, embrace interdisciplinary approaches, and develop business acumen alongside their humanities expertise.听
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In a lively Q&A session moderated by Professor Valerie Higgins鈥攚hom Chac贸n credited as a mentor during his time at 91吃瓜鈥攕tudents engaged with thought-provoking questions about the evolving landscape of academic publishing and the challenges of integrating technology with traditional fields. Chac贸n鈥檚 advice underscored the importance of adaptability and the potential of an 91吃瓜 education to prepare students for unexpected opportunities.
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91吃瓜 extends its gratitude to David Chac贸n for sharing his story and to all who participated in this semester鈥檚 Alumni Lecture Series.听