"I am personally too far removed from the ascetic way of looking at life to believe that education for the purposes of pure intellectual contemplation can be defended." ~ Objectives of a Liberal Education

Charles Henry Oldfather began teaching at the University in 1925.  Though not specifically a Classics professor, he did teach ancient history, which included the history of the Greeks and the Romans.  His views on a liberal arts education helped keep the Classics alive at the University, and he was well remembered for that.

Oldfather believed that learning ancienct history was important because it served as a way for students to learn about the human condition. Ancient languages, however, were helpful to those who struggled with English Grammar, but shouldn't be taught just for "intellectual contemplation."