Rhodes College, a nationally ranked liberal arts institution, is the recipient of a $100,000 Program Development Grant from the Network for Vocation in Undergraduate Education. This grant will embed career preparation more intentionally and systematically into our liberal arts curriculum.

Founded in 1776, The Phi Beta Kappa Society is America’s oldest academic honor society. Its campus chapters invite for induction the most outstanding liberal arts students at leading colleges and universities across the nation.

Annual awards were presented at the 177th Commencement Exercises of Rhodes College held May 16 on campus. GraceAnne Hodgson is the recipient of the Peyton Nalle Rhodes Phi Beta Kappa Prize. The 2026 Algernon Sydney Sullivan Awards were presented to graduating seniors Abigail Figueroa and Jasmine Jeffries and to David McCarthy, professor of art and art history. The college presented the Distinguished Service Medal to Richard Huddleston, the college’s bursar and a member of the Rhodes Class of 1984.

The 177th Commencement of Rhodes College will be held Saturday, May 16, at 8:30 a.m. in the Hubert F. Fisher Memorial Garden on campus. Tickets are required for seating, and the program will also stream live at www.rhodes.edu.

Rev. Dr. Dorothy Sanders Wells, who is a member of the Rhodes Class of 1982 and Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Mississippi, will receive an honorary Doctor of Humanities at the 177th Commencement of Rhodes College. The ceremony will be held Saturday, May 16, at 8:30 a.m. in the Hubert F. Fisher Memorial Garden on campus.

Six graduating seniors’ portraits are being added to Rhodes College’s Hall of Fame on the second floor of Southwestern Hall. The honorees are Jasmine Jeffries, Olivia Mack, Joshua Morris, Ariyana Muesse, Jude Shive, and KK Sowers. Selection to the Hall of Fame, which was established in 1931, is based on individual merit, leadership in student activities, service to others, and overall contributions to the campus community. Election to the Hall of Fame is considered one of the highest honors that can come to a student.

Graduating senior Yasmine Pirlepesova is the fifth Rhodes student selected to receive a Fulbright U.S. Student Award for the 2026-2027 academic year. She is the recipient of the competitive Fulbright Study/Research Award and will conduct research in Nepal, focusing on innovative methods of educating youth and advocating for rural communities facing challenges related to climate change.

John Creveling, a junior business major from Austin, TX, presented the winning pitch at the third annual Rhodes College Venture Challenge held April 30 on campus. He gained the $10,000 Grand Prize to help launch OptimSolutions, AI-powered lead generation and automation for home service businesses.

Rachel Carroll, a senior health equity major from Memphis, is excited about her upcoming graduation and says, “I chose Rhodes because of the scholarship and for the educational opportunities the school provides. I wanted to make an impact by serving my community and believed Rhodes would be the place to do so. Choosing to remain rooted in Memphis has proven to be an enriching choice.”

Both the Rhodes College men's lacrosse team and women’s lacrosse team are headed to the NCAA Division III Championship, after capturing Southern Athletic Association titles.