Ren was a bright, insightful, well-read, engaged, inquisitive student who made a tremendous contribution to our team and our trip to Greece.

I have many fond memories of the two weeks we traveled together, including on our day at an archaeological site in ancient Philippi. Numerous areas that Dr. Smith really wanted to visit were closed because of ongoing archaeological work, short staff and “safety concerns,” and the guide in charge was unwilling to make exceptions for us. However, while on our truncated tour Ren and the guide stopped at an obscure rock with an ancient inscription that Ren was able to translate from the Greek. The guide was quite taken, and who knew, a few minutes later the restricted area was suddenly made available to our group. Ren and the guide then had a long private conversation off to the side. Watching Ren and the Greek archaeological guide (more like an archaeological bouncer) engaged in that lengthy discussion while Dr. Smith excitedly unpacked the history and importance of the newly "opened" area, is one of my favorite memories of the trip.