The Greek word for “school” is scoleri, which literally means “leisure.”

But Ted Johnson doesn’t see much leisure in the daily lives of Kansas University students.

That’s why the retired professor has an annual Stop Day tour of campus, to point out how philosophy, history and other disciplines are at play in the architecture and layout of KU.

He’ll lead the 11th annual tour Friday, the day between the end of classes and the beginning of finals.

“All of these wonderful concepts bubble out,” Johnson said. “You never know what it’s going to be.”

While some students study for finals and others party, Johnson will lead a group of students, faculty and community members on a stroll through campus. The crowd usually fluctuates from a few people to more than 30, depending on the year and time of day, Johnson said.

Participants are free to come and go during the tour, which runs from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

This year’s topics include the architecture of Spooner Hall, KU’s prairie acre, “unenforceable laws,” cycles of civilizations and campus memorials. Much of the discussion centers on the interrelations of various academic disciplines.

Jana Rea, a senior from Lawrence, is a former tour participant. She recommended the tour to anyone wanting a break from the academic grind.

“The stroll itself was very relaxing,” she said. “It reminded me of how students of Socrates or Plato would have felt walking around with a respected teacher and listening to him talk. Knowledge and information is in every sentence (Johnson) says. It just pours out of him.”

Graham Kreicker, who retired to Lawrence, said he appreciated learning more about campus buildings. For instance, he said, most people probably don’t know the figure on Twente Hall, the former hospital, is St. George, the patron saint of medicine.

“Ted Johnson is the interpreter of the history that’s depicted not in words but in brick and stone,” Kreicker said. “They’re things you otherwise might hurriedly walk by.”