Centaur Systems published educational software for the Classics
(ancient Greek, Latin, and Classical Studies) from 1984 to 2017. It
was named after the earliest teachers in classical mythology. While not still in
business, the software is still available for download as freeware.
Mission
Centaur Systems' mission was to offer the best quality
software possible, along with helpful support services and
useful information on available e-learning options in the field of classical studies.
Staff
Rob Latousek completed his B.A. in Classics at the College
of the Holy Cross (Worcester MA) in 1978, followed by an M.A. in Latin from
Loyola University of Chicago in 1985. He was a doctoral student in Educational
Technology at the University of Wisconsin--Madison from 1985 to 1988, while
designing and writing software for the Classics Department there under a Project
Trochos grant from the UW and IBM. After that, he worked full-time
for Centaur Systems, which he founded in 1984 to publish the results
of his own and others' programming endeavors.
For many years Latousek volunteered his time to the American Classical League to help
them educate their members and the rest of the profession about all of the computer-based
tools available for the Classics. Once a Latin teacher himself, he served as
Chair of their Committee on Educational Computer Applications (1987-2008), wrote a semi-annual
column, called "Random Access" (1989-2008) for The Classical Outlook journal
(see Archives), and compiled the ACL Software
Directory for the Classics (1985-2009, see
Directory). In 2011 he received a Meritus Award "for distinguished service to the
American Classical League and the Classics profession." In 2015 he received the Anthony J. Gradisnik Award
from the Wisconsin Association for Language Teachers "for outstanding contributions to world language
learning and global studies." He retired in December 2017 and made all of his software available as freeware.
Brian McCormick is responsible for
designing the Centaur Systems logo and maintaining aesthetic standards in all the graphics.
He is now retired from his career as a preservation architect
for the State Historical Society of Wisconsin and has returned to his original
calling as a watercolor artist and prairie restorer.