Julie Gehrki, a member of the Rhodes Class of 2002, has been named president of the Walmart Foundation and promoted to senior vice president of philanthropy at Walmart.

Biology major Sophie Snodgrass ’26 knew she wanted to be a veterinarian from early childhood, and at Rhodes the Fayetteville, AR, native is gaining invaluable hands-on experience with giraffes, rhinos, zebras, and other exotic animals through internships at the Memphis Zoo.

Dr. Michael LaRosa, associate professor of history at Rhodes, is a leading expert on Latin American history and culture. His latest book, co-written with Rhodes alumnus Bryce Ashby, is titled Immigration, Policy and the People of Latin America: Seven Sending Nations and will be released Nov. 20 by Routledge.

Rhodes College sophomore Dania Verbena is the recipient of the Premio “Joven Inspiración Guatemalteca” (Young Guatemalan Inspiration Award) from the Congress of the Republic of Guatemala and Jóvenes Artistas por la Justicia Social. This award is presented to young individuals for their innovative leadership and transformative impact on society.

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.

Rhodes Mock Trial Team Black won the invitational tournament hosted by Missouri State University November 1-3. Captain Amelia Rursch was named a double Outstanding Attorney and captain Cece Warhurst was named an Outstanding Witness. Grant Carpenter and Quincy Griffone also won outstanding witness awards.

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.