Rhodes College’s 2024 alumni awards were presented during Homecoming/Reunion Weekend Nov. 1-2. MaryKay Loss Carlson ’81 is the recipient of this year’s Distinguished Alumni Award, and Kimberly Macharia ’18, is the recipient of the Distinguished Young Alumni Award. Darrell Cobbins ’97 received the BSA Distinguished Alumni Award.

Dr. Michael Nelson, professor of political science at Rhodes College and a recognized presidential scholar, will provide an analysis of the 2024 election results during a one-time class on Nov. 7 offered by the college’s Meeman Center for Lifelong Learning.

Anna Yates ’25 has been rising through the ranks of Rhodes Student Government (RSG) since her first semester at Rhodes. As the 2024-2025 president, she sees her foremost responsibility is to hear students’ perspectives and communicate their needs.

A Rhodes team has been accepted to participate in the 2024-2025 Students Transforming Through Research Advocacy Program presented by The Council on Undergraduate Research. The program is a competitive application-based professional development opportunity for teams consisting of a campus representative and one to three undergraduate students.

Rhodes College’s Mike Curb Institute for Music, which involves students in the inner workings of the music business from sound editing and video production to marketing and community engagement, has landed on Billboard’s annual list of Top Music Business Schools for the fourth time in a row.

Through a Summer Service Fellowship with the Memphis Library Foundation (MLF), philosophy and English literature major Laurel Phillips ’26 saw firsthand the impact libraries have and is now sharing her passion with others at Rhodes.

Rhodes College alumnus Dr. Russell Wigginton ’88, who serves as president of the National Civil Rights Museum, has been named to the Tennessee Independent Colleges and Universities Association’s 2024 Hall of Fame. This year’s class features trailblazers from various sectors, who have built lasting legacies through their leadership, philanthropy, and dedicated service to their communities.

Rhodes College is among a select group of U.S. colleges and universities that hold the Carnegie Community Engagement Classification, which is awarded by the American Council on Education and the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching. The college is developing an application that will be submitted by next year’s deadline for the Community Engagement 2026 application cycle.

Sheila E., a Grammy and Emmy-nominated musician and percussionist, will discuss her music and career on Oct. 28 at Rhodes College as part of its Springfield Music Lecture Series.

Muhammad Waraich ’25 was first drawn to Rhodes College by the prospect of small class sizes, supportive professors, and a beautiful campus. Once at Rhodes, the international studies and history major has also enjoyed the benefits of internship opportunities and fulfilling programs. With support from the Office of Career Services and the Department of International Studies, the New Jersey native has gained experience in places as close to home as New York City and as far away as Tokyo, Japan.