“I just remember him being a nerd, being all excited about the dictionary,” King says.

Often enrolling in five classes per semester, he has taken 20 classes in the Classics department, far surpassing the 12-course minimum requirement.

Along with his intellectual curiosity, a bit of luck may have also been involved in Watson’s achievements in the Classics department.

With a last name near the end of the alphabet, Watson was assigned a mailbox in the Classics office that was fortuitously located next to a cubby for the Harvard Classics Club. Week after week Watson noticed that the club’s box remained empty. After looking through archives and talking with administrators, he discovered the inactive club, which had been founded in 1885, had produced Greek plays in Harvard Stadium.

He revived the club and assumed its presidency. This year, he produced a Roman comedy, The Menaechmi of Plautus, in Agassiz Theater. With four performances, the play attracted more than 600 people.

Well-known and well-liked, Watson “was a great asset for the department,” says Andreola F. Rossi, assistant professor of the classics. “He has a rare enthusiasm for Latin. It is quite unbelievable. He loves the language, he loves to study it. He motivates all the other students.”

Carolina, Rome On His Mind

Watson’s dorm reveals his extensive European travels. His bedroom is decorated with a calendar from Italy, in addition to posters of Roman and Greek sculptures.

In addition to visiting Rome four times, Watson spent seven weeks last summer at the American School for Classical Studies at Athens.

After traveling in Greece, Watson undertook an independent study in southern Italy.

During the year, Watson also ventures away from Harvard Yard, but he usually only makes it as far as the movie theater in Boston or a restaurant in the Square, King says.

While few things excite Watson more than classics, his eyes bulge at the mention of Southern cooking.

“Sweet corn, tomatoes, bacon, sweet potatoes, fried chicken,” Watson gushes. “When I have money, I buy food or books.”

While Watson’s desire to deliver the Latin Oration was a constant since his matriculation, his post-Harvard plans remain a bit less defined.

He will travel to Oxford next year on the Corey Fellowship, where he will continue his classicist focus, studying both Greek and Latin.