Alumni Spotlight: Melissa Ludke
Melissa Ludke is a two-time 糖心vlog alumna who earned her master鈥檚 degree in 2017 and doctoral degree in 2024 from the , part of the College of Arts and Sciences. She currently teaches Greek and Roman mythology and Greek civilization as a visiting assistant professor at Grand Valley State University in Allendale, Michigan. At FSU, she was honored with the 2023-2024 Faculty Dissertation Fellowship in Archaeology and received a travel award in 2024 from the Ermine M. Owenby Jr. Fund to Promote Excellence to advance her research in numismatics, the study of currency including coins, tokens, paper money and medals. Ludke鈥檚 dissertation on archaeological excavation in Italy is currently being developed into a book.
Tell us about your background and what brought you to FSU.
I鈥檓 from Michigan and grew up in Detroit鈥檚 metropolitan area. I earned a bachelor鈥檚 degree in anthropology with minors in dance and archaeology from Grand Valley State University in 2012. In 2013, I completed a post-baccalaureate program at Georgetown University in Washington, D.C., studying Latin and Greek to prepare for graduate school. During an undergraduate excavation, I met peers from FSU鈥檚 master鈥檚 program in classics who first introduced me to the university. I chose to come here for the strong grant and scholarship opportunities available in FSU鈥檚 master鈥檚 program.
What inspired you to pursue archeology?
Growing up, I was interested in dinosaurs and history. I would spend hours searching for artifacts in sandboxes. The idea of uncovering ancient things, like bones, always fascinated me. When choosing a major, I realized archaeology brought my interests together. Excavation, or the process of digging, understanding human history, and uncovering hidden stories continue to inspire me. I actively participate in archaeological excavations each summer as a key part of my work.
Break down your research for us.
My dissertation focused on the FSU-led Cosa excavations at a site on Italy鈥檚 western coast two hours north of Rome. I concentrated on the first century of Cosa鈥檚 existence, a period with limited evidence, and studied the socio-economic dynamics between the colony and the surrounding non-Roman towns and cities. I also specialized in numismatics and studied two early coin types, which were the first known artifacts to bear the city鈥檚 name. I was drawn to how these coins served as tools of interaction given the scarcity of other surviving records.
What makes you passionate about your research?
I鈥檓 passionate about uncovering questions others haven鈥檛 asked. For example, while the early Cosa coin types had been studied before, many dismissed the site due to its limited materials and architecture. The site itself was long considered a 鈥渢ypical colony,鈥 used as a model for Roman settlement patterns, but my research supports a divergence from that framework. I follow threads of unexplored ideas and capture the rush of questions before they slip away. Those threads often grow into conference papers and collaborations driven by my passion for digging deeper when answers aren鈥檛 evident.
What should the public know about your research?
Archaeology remains vital as new discoveries are made every day, helping us answer questions about the human experience throughout history. By studying the rise and fall of civilizations, we gain new perspectives on our own. Ancient people may seem distant, but they faced universal challenges like plagues, grief and death just like us. At Cosa, we鈥檝e proven the site wasn鈥檛 abandoned in the third or fourth century as once thought; evidence reveals a longer, more complex history. There are always new angles to explore.
Tell us about some upcoming projects.
I recently started working as a visiting assistant professor at GVSU. I teach four classes, including two sections of Greek and Roman mythology and Greek civilization. Additionally, I鈥檓 converting my dissertation into a book with a publisher already on board, and I鈥檒l be presenting at three upcoming conferences tied to my work at Cosa and dissertation research. I鈥檓 also co-editing a book volume on colonial coinage and contributing a chapter to the project.
What faculty or staff members inspired you?
My adviser and professor of classics, Andrea De Giorgi, provided invaluable dissertation guidance and professional support. John Marincola, classics professor emeritus, offered consistent encouragement throughout my doctoral program as well. Finally, graduate student colleagues a few years ahead of myself became unexpected mentors by advising me on the job market, reading my work, and guiding me through my dissertation and defense.
What鈥檚 your best memory from your time at FSU?
Some of my best memories come from mentoring students and watching them grow. I once worked one-on-one with a student who had a severe stutter to practice public speaking. By the end of the course, she told me she鈥檇 never had an instructor so willing to help. Moments like that 鈥 sparking a passion for archeology, seeing students gain confidence, and hearing they learned something meaningful 鈥 are what make me feel like I鈥檝e truly succeeded as an educator.
How did your time at FSU prepare you for professional success?
Early teaching opportunities at FSU prepared me for success. In my department, graduate students progress from being teaching assistants to instructors of record, which helped me build a strong teaching repertoire. After graduating in Fall 2024, I was able to adjunct, or teach as a part-time instructor, for two semesters, which gave me the chance to design and teach a new course from the ground up. These opportunities strengthened my teaching skills, prepared me to manage TAs, and ultimately helped me secure my current position at GVSU.
Even though you might miss FSU, what are you looking forward to in this next chapter?
I鈥檓 looking forward to transitioning into a full-time role as professor and mentor. I鈥檓 excited to return to a place that was so formative for me but this time as a teacher. It feels like a full-circle moment; I鈥檓 coming home in a new way.