Rhodes College has been awarded a three-year Institutional Impact Grant of $600,000 by the Educating Character Initiative, a project of The Program for Leadership and Character at Wake Forest University. The Educating Character Initiative is funded by Lilly Endowment Inc. The college will use this grant to integrate character education into its liberal arts curriculum and student experience, as well as to support a re-alignment of the college’s motto—Truth, Loyalty, Service—which is featured on its seal.
Rhodes College Gears up for New School Year; Classes Begin Aug. 19
Opening Convocation, which is the formal academic ceremony to welcome the new class and to begin the college’s 178th session, was held on Friday, Aug. 14. Classes begin on Wednesday, Aug. 19. The Class of 2030 comprises 400 students, who come from 35 states and 14 different countries. Seventeen percent are first-generation students; and more than 100 students will represent Rhodes as varsity student-athletes.
August 14, 2026
Jackson-Hayes Presented Jameson M. Jones Award for Outstanding Faculty Service at Opening Convocation
Dr. Loretta Jackson-Hayes, professor of chemistry at Rhodes College, was presented the 2026 Jameson M. Jones Award for Outstanding Faculty Service on Aug. 14 at the college’s Opening Convocation. Established in 1988, the Jameson M. Jones Award for Outstanding Faculty Service recognizes a member of the faculty who exemplifies a deep sense of service to the college’s mission.
August 14, 2026
Students Serve While Exploring Memphis Through Rhodes Impact Summer Experience
The Rhodes Impact Summer Experience (RISE) empowered 15 students to engage with the greater Memphis area this summer through full-time, eight-week paid internships at nonprofit organizations. Managed by Rhodes’ Center for Career and Professional Development, this program has provided participants with the chance to dive deep into their passions, hone their skills, and make meaningful contributions to the lives of those around them.
August 11, 2026
Fresh Take: Rhodes Claims Trophy in Competition Expanding Longtime Rivalry with Sewanee
Rhodes College is the winner of the inaugural Battle of the Bluffs Trophy, earning bragging rights in the first year of a new all-sports rivalry competition between the college and the University of the South (Sewanee). The rivalry traces its roots back to 1899, when the two institutions first met on the football field.
August 07, 2026
Rhodes College Named Among Top 10 Colleges for Strong Alumni Networks, According to LinkedIn
Rhodes College has landed a spot in the top 10 colleges recognized by LinkedIn for empowering graduates to land jobs through powerful alumni connections. The college’s alumni actively champion current students and fellow graduates, highlighting the true value of a liberal arts education.
August 06, 2026
Rhodes College Recognized by FirstGen Forward Network for Commitment to First-Generation Student Success
Rhodes College has been selected for the FirstGen Forward Network Class of 2026, a recognition that highlights the college’s dedication to enhancing the college experience and to promoting success for first-generation college students.
July 27, 2026
Mortar Board at Rhodes Celebrated Among Nation’s Outstanding Chapters
The Rhodes College chapter of Mortar Board, a national honor society for seniors, has received the prestigious 2026 Gold Torch Award from the national office. This award recognizes chapters that are committed to making a positive impact on their campuses and in their communities. It is given annually to the organization’s most exceptional chapters.
July 23, 2026
Rhodes Named Among Forbes’ Top Colleges, Earns High Marks on Financial Report Card
Rhodes College is among the 500 colleges in America that shine, according to Forbes, which recently released its “America’s Top Colleges List.” Forbes’ annual list showcases colleges that produce “successful, high-earning and influential graduates from all economic backgrounds, with less student debt.”
July 17, 2026
Rhodes Theatre Guild Receives 11 Nominations for Memphis Ostrander Awards
The Rhodes Theatre Guild (RTG) has received multiple nominations for the Ostrander Awards, honoring the best in local theater in the 2025-2026 season. RTG garnered multiple nominations for its production of Urinetown, a satirical musical about a city’s water shortage and a corrupt corporation, which was performed in February and March at the McCoy Theatre on the Rhodes campus.
July 15, 2026
Rhodes Singers Concludes Academic Year with Successful International Tour of the Baltic States
For the first time in its extensive touring history, the Rhodes Singers, along with several alumni and guests, traveled to the Baltic States in May 2026. Directed by Dr. D. Jason Bishop ’98 and collaborative pianist Dr. Alex Benford, the ensemble performed in the capital cities of Tallinn (Estonia), Riga (Latvia), and Vilnius (Lithuania).
July 06, 2026