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 is pleased to announce the addition of nine new full-time faculty members for the 2026-2027 academic year. This talented group spans various specialties, including art, chemistry, psychology, and urban studies. The college offers more than 70 majors, minors, and interdisciplinary programs.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.”