Senior English major Shaliz Barzani has been awarded The Steve and Riea Lainoff Crop Trust Fellowship in Honor of Cary Fowler. The fellowship is made possible through the generosity of Steve and Riea Lainoff, parents of Rhodes graduates Brian Lainoff ’11 and Mark Lainoff ’15. As a fellow, Barzani will join the Partnerships Team of the Global Crop Diversity Trust in Bonn, Germany, in August 2021. The 12-month fellowship provides the opportunity for a recent graduate to develop an understanding of the Crop Trust’s work and the issues associated with agricultural biodiversity conservation.

Katherine Polster, who is pursuing a master’s degree in urban education at Rhodes College, is the recipient of a Fulbright U.S. Student Award for the 2021-2022 academic year. She will serve as an English Teaching Assistant in Taiwan beginning in the fall. The Fulbright Program is the flagship international educational exchange program sponsored by the U.S. government.

At the heart of the Rhodes community is a commitment to an inclusive campus and a culture of belonging. As part of that commitment, the Office of Multicultural Affairs recently revamped its mentoring program to better fulfill its mission of building community for students of various multicultural backgrounds.

Founded in 1776, Phi Beta Kappa is America’s oldest collegiate honor society. Its campus chapters invite for induction the most outstanding liberal arts students at America’s leading colleges and universities. Fewer than one percent of U.S. college graduates are eligible.

Jasmine Turner ’03, who has more than a decade of experience in molecular virus detection methods, is currently conducting COVID-19 research. She works as a research lab specialist in the Department of Infectious Diseases at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. “You do not have to major in a natural science to pursue a career in scientific research,” she says. “I work with people from all walks of life, and I have learned that exposure to disciplines outside of science can really help foster the innovation needed to drive science forward.”

Rhodes College ranks 16th on The Princeton Review’s 2021 list of “Top 20 Best Private Schools for Internships.” The education services company has published its annual guide ranking the nation’s “Best Value Colleges,” Rhodes ranks among the top 50 private colleges, coming in at 47th.  Princeton Review’s Best Value Colleges, 2021 Edition, evaluates factors including stellar academics, financial aid, and strong career prospects for graduates.

Dr. Loretta Jackson-Hayes, the James H. Daughdrill Professor in the Natural Sciences, is a 2021 recipient of the Outstanding Mentorship Award from the Council on Undergraduate Research’s (CUR) Chemistry Division. The division recognizes transformative mentoring and advising by higher education faculty across all subdivisions of chemistry. Each includes a cash prize and a certificate of recognition.

Dr. Shana Stoddard, assistant professor of chemistry, is a 2021 recipient of the Mentor Award presented by the Council on Undergraduate Research’s (CUR) Health Sciences Division. The division recognizes transformative mentoring and advising by higher education faculty across all subdivisions of health sciences—wellness, disease, health care, and health management—with awards in the early career, mid-career, and advanced career categories. Each award includes a cash prize and a certificate of recognition.

Rhodes is among 14 small research satellites and the only liberal arts college selected by NASA for the 2021 CubeSat Launch Initiative (CSLI). Rhodes’ CubeSat, called RHOK-SAT will fly as an auxiliary payload aboard a rocket to reach its low earth orbit. RHOK-SAT is led by Professor of Physics Brent Hoffmeister, Associate Professor of Physics Ann Viano, Project Director Joe McPherson, and a group of students led by Giuliana Hofheins ’22, Ben Wilson ’22, and Eli Matlock ’21.

Rhodes’ liberal arts curriculum encourages students to choose courses across academic disciplines, whatever their major or career goals. Emma Thames '21, who is pursuing a degree in English literature while preparing for medical school, combines skills and perspectives learned in all of her courses as she strengthens her ideas of how to be the best possible physician.