Rhodes Institute for Regional Studies has welcomed Dr. Regina N. Bradley, associate professor of English and African diaspora studies at Kennesaw State University, as its scholar-in-residence to engage with its fellows conducting research this summer based on questions they have about Memphis and the Mid-South area. A prominent public voice and leading scholar on contemporary Southern Black life and hip-hop culture, Bradley is no stranger to Rhodes, having given various presentations on campus since 2014.

Professor Victor Coonin, who specializes in the field of Renaissance art, is leading a seminar for the Council of Independent Colleges titled “Power and Absence: Connecting Renaissance Art to Diverse Audiences.” Participants were selected by competitive nomination, and the seminar includes special access to collections of the Memphis Brooks Museum of Art, National Civil Rights Museum, and Dixon Gallery and Gardens.

Earlier this year, the National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS) announced music alumna Rene Orth ’07 as the winner of the 2023 NATS Art Song Composition Award for her song cycle “Weave Me a Name.” The world premiere recording of the work was featured on the 2023 album Force of Nature, which debuted at No. 1 on Billboard’s Traditional Classical Albums chart. The composer also has experienced a number of successes.

Mariah Hotard, manager of talent acquisition and development at Rhodes College, has been selected to participate in the 2023-24 CUPA-HR Ignite program, a 12-month leadership development experience designed for early career higher education human resources professionals.

Dr. Shana Stoddard, associate professor of chemistry at Rhodes College, is the 2023 recipient of the Council on Undergraduate Research’s (CUR) Silvia Ronco Innovative Mentor Award. The award recognizes original and insightful research work by a young investigator working with undergraduates that has had significant impact in chemistry and the STEM careers of students involved. The award includes a cash prize and certificate, and Stoddard will be recognized at CUR’s upcoming June conference.

Rhodes College’s Mallory Gymnasium court this fall will bear the name of Herb Hilgeman, who served as head men’s basketball coach from 1976 to 2010. Over the Alumni came together to raise $250K+ to update the gymnasium and to name the court in his honor.

Undergraduate research is important for students in the Department of Chemistry at Rhodes College. The hands-on experience not only provides a learning environment other than the classroom, but also provides students opportunities to work directly with faculty and gain skills for future success. Ten students and seven faculty members of the department recently participated in the national meeting of the American Chemical Society in Indianapolis, IN.

Four Rhodes employees— Robert Carey, Liz Love, Steve Brummel, and Amy Moen —received the college’s 2023 Outstanding Staff Awards at the annual Service Recognition Brunch held May 16. Staff members with 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, and 40 years of service also were recognized at the program held in the McCallum Ballroom. Robbie Taliaferro was recognized as the Loretta Watkins Outstanding Housekeeper and Fred Garrett was recognized as Outstanding Campus Safety Officer.

The Southern Athletic Association (SAA) announced today that Rhodes College has won the 2022-23 Commissioner’s Cup. The Cup recognizes the all-sports champion among SAA member institutions with points awarded according to each program’s finish in the regular season standings.

Walker Coleman is the recipient of the Peyton Nalle Rhodes Phi Beta Kappa Prize, the college’s highest academic honor. The 2023 Algernon Sydney Sullivan Awards were presented to Priscilla Foreman and Mia Harris, and to Dr. Timothy S. Huebner, associate provost and the Irma O. Sternberg Professor of History.