University Daily Kansan / Thursday, May 4, 1989
25
Professor defines current interest in classic studies
by Carrie Harper
Kansan staff writer
Alpha, beta, gamma, delta.
"Resident living groups tend to pronounce these differently than we in the classics department. The classes, a KU教师 of classics for 24 years, introducing Greek to his Word Power class."
Phillips, a classic himself, has loved the classics since his father read to him from "The filad" as a child. He still loves classical music and classical antiquity.
He is rarely seen without a coordinating sportscoat and tie, and when he is outside, his British-style driving cap always covers his aristocratic white hair. Standing more than six feet tall, Phillips can be missed when he strolls across campus in the afternoon.
Oliver Phillips, professor of classics.
"nans is the monster that Heracles killed." Phillips said while writing the Greek name on the board to test his students' Greek or their knowledge of mythology.
"Sometimes he is so articulate he goes right over your head," said Courtney Eblen, Fort Scott sophomore. "He wants to make us laugh because he knows we'll need it sometime."
Eblen said she thought Phillips' class was fascinating, and she was embarrassed to realize the number of words she had been misusing.
Debbie Ward, Wichita senior, said Philips was always allying fine anecdotes in the book.
"He's a little bit off-center." Ward said. "His kind of eccentric but not in a negative sense. He comes across very intelligent and very well-educated."
Phillips received a bachelor's degree in education from KU in 1950. He remembered with a laugh that geology was his favorite subject, because he did not have to dissect anything.
He received a master's in Latin literature from the University of Missouri in 1954, and a doctorate in Latin literature from the University of Chicago in 1962.
Phillips came to KU in 1964 after teaching Latin at William Jewell College, Liberty, Mo. for nine years. From 1964 to 1967, Phillips was a part-time assistant professor in the classes department and the part-time director of correspondence study. Since 1967, he has taught full-time in the classes department.
James Seaver, Chancellors Club Teaching professor of history, who is retiring this spring, said he had known Philips since he knew Phillips was a student in one of his classes.
"He's not a particularly flamboyant person at all." Seaver said. "He's kind of unique. I don't think I know anyone quite like Oliver, actually."
Seaver said he enjoyed Phillips' sense of humor and his ability to use it with his knowledge of classics to appeal to students
Phillips explained that 'classes had con-
ditioned them, and he used both of them in his teaching.
There is the academic definition that includes ancient literature, music, art, thought and logic. And there is a second definition.
Because he does not have a lot of time to read during the school year, Phillips said he saved the more taxing novels for the summer and sent them to another library was his favorite location on campus.
He said he had read all the Sherlock Holmes books several times and liked mysteries by Dorothy Sayers. When he was a child, Phillips said he liked to读 Nathaniel Hawthorne's "Tanglewood Tales," which are retellings of Greek myths.
Tettling of Oversee "It used to be that a lot of children read those, but I read them over and over and over." Phillips said.
Jer. Phipps is with a stack of books that he has saved to read after retirement, Phillips, 59, said he would like to retire early, perhaps at 65.
Phillips also likes to rent movies from Liberty Hall, and he said he had "quaint" tastes in movies. He owns a copy of the "Wizard of Oz." and though he didn't go to see movies very often, he said he did enjoy "Bain Man."
In books and movies, Phillips said he liked good taut mysteries where he could get fully emerged in the plot and then be released at the end.
Phillips mentioned "Tamopo" as a "dandy Japanese movie" and one of his favorites. In the movie, he love, life and adventure for each noodle and vice versa, Phillips explained.
Another favorite, "Black Orpheus," is based on the mythological character.
Grade school children are capable of an introduction to classical myths in simplified forms, said Phillips, who taught Latin and English at junior high and high schools. High school courses should include ancient history, geography, art and architecture, he said.
Even at KU, Phillips said there was little cohesion, but rather an enormous scattering of holes.
"We get our history in bits and fragments," Phillips said. "There is no core of agreement or core of studies in the humanities."
The Western Civilization program is the
best example of a classical education at KU. Phillips said, noting, however, that it did not touch enough on drama, poetry and art.
"I want to avoid being prescriptive," Phillips said, admitting that he did not know a lot about non-Western cultures.
He said that Homer's work, as the beginning of the development of classical literature, is the most profound.
"One of the marks of classical work is its vitality and clarity; creatively linger it on. The use of color is also acted upon."
Perhaps Phillips could be considered a classical work. His vitality and creativity appear in his work and personal life and his own physical energy.
He is a member of University Council and is secretary of University Senate Executive Committee. As an avid bicycle-rider, Phillips said he hoped he could represent the interests
ot bicycle riders on the Lawrence Traffic Safety, Commission.
His creativity is revealed in the crossword puzzles he works and creates for his classes, as well in the Roman coin exhibit that he prepared for the Mary Amelia Grant Gallery in the Wilcox Classical Museum at Lippincott Hall.
Phillips and his wife, Shirley, have two sons who are both KU graduates. Both sons are married, but there are no Phillips grandchildren yet.
The Phillips' have two more members of the family living at home. Rumpole, an overweight golden retriever, is named after the British barrister, and Pickle is an overweight gray tomcat.
In the past,希腊 has taught the range of Greek, Latin and classics courses in addition.
to introducing some classes of his own.
This semester, Phillips is teaching an advanced Latin reading course and Medieval Latin in addition to Word Power.
Phillips has traveled to Europe, Germany and the Mediterranean and has taught in a variety of settings in foreign countries.
He was a visiting professor during the summer of 1983 at the University of Cologne in West Germany, and in 1969 he was dean of students for the University of Wisconsin. He was also a host and lecturer for the Flying Jayhawks tour of the eastern Mediterranean in 1984.
Just as there is a renaissance man, there is perhaps a classical man: one who strives to learn all he can about classical antiquity and appears to know it already. Meet Oliver Phillips.
SOUTHWIND HEALTH COLLECTIVE
Massage Therapy...
Relieves the Stress of Finals
945 Kentucky
843-7500
Shirley Dinkel, BSN RN
Joy deMaranville CMT
AND SPECIAL STUDENT SUMMER RATES AT HEALTHPLUS
When you need a break from the heat this summer, meet your friends at HealthPlus. HealthPlus is Kansas City's best place to work-out in cool comfort!
At HealthPlus, you can run on the city's largest indoor track (1/10 mile, banked and padded). Try something new in aerobics. Toughen up with the weight circuit or free weights. Pedal the bikes, step out on the treadmill, climb the never ending stairs or check your time on the rowing machines. All indoors. Away from summer heat.
We're so sure you'll like HealthPlus, we'll give you a pass good for three days, just to check us out. Just bring in the coupon below, we'll show you around and give you your three day membership card.
Best of all, HealthPlus has special rates for full-time students who want to join just for the summer (June 1 - August 31, 1989). No obligations. No lifetime contracts. Just a summer of fun.
HealthPlus
ONE COUPON PER PERSON FULL-TIME STUDENTS ONLY (BRING STUDENT ID TO CLAIM FREE PASS)
MUST BEGIN FREE DAYS BY MAY 28, 1989
YOUR SUMMER WORKOUT HEADQUARTERS
GOOD FOR THREE FREE DAYS AT HEALTHPLUS
4500 W _107TH STREET OVERLAND PARK, KS 66207 (913) 649-7433
COME SEE US For A Great Selection Of
SWIM WEAR & PLAY WEAR
742 MASS
STOP CLOWNING AROUND
YOU'RE RUNNING OUT OF TIME TO RESERVE YOUR APARTMENT FOR FALL
NAISMITH PLACE APARTMENTS
Two Bedroom Paid Cable Walking Distance from Bus Route
Laundry Facility
Park-like Setting
Private Balcony/Patio
On-Site Management Immediate Openings Furnished/Unfurnished
Two bedroom furnished only $437.00 a month
Ousdahl & 25th Ct.
841-1815
Hours: Mon.-Fri. 10 to 4
Saturday 10 to 2