"Most students take courses for credit, and a few opt to audit some. But what do you call it if a student attends a course as often as possible even though it will not show up on a transcript, and he or she does not plan a career in the field?" asks Associate Professor of Classics Carolin Hahnemann. "I call it 'Serfassing' the course, because in Adam Serfass's classes this actually happens."

Far too modest to give himself that kind of credit, Serfass, an assistant professor of classics, says he was "dumbfounded" when thirty-three students enrolled in his Greek history class. "It seems as though a lot of interest is generated because so many students are reading Greek and Roman texts all across the curriculum," he says. "But I also think a lot of classics students are enthusiastic, and that enthusiasm spreads."

"Invigorating" is the way Serfass describes his teaching experience at Kenyon. His courses range from Greek and Roman history, to Latin and Greek language classes, to "Odyssey of the West," a course offered by the Integrated Program in Humane Studies. Each course has a different format: lecture, seminar, or two-on-one teaching tutorials--which provides variety, rigor, and challenge.

Serfass isn't above having a bit of fun. "Every year I hold a fall grammarfest in my seminars," he says. "It is painless and entertaining and designed to give students an appreciation for the precision and details of language. The students like it, and it addresses right up front some of the problems they have."