The Rhodes Singers and Chamber Singers went on an international choir tour in May that included performances in Germany and the Czech Republic. The choirs performed in beautifully historic cathedrals and churches to packed houses of enthusiastic audiences, whose appreciation demanded encores.

A successful project completed for a course often can inspire a student to dig deeper into a subject through research, or even apply for an internship to further their knowledge. That’s what happened to rising senior Jalen Essick. As part of the Intro to Urban Studies course taught by Prof. Shaolu Yu, he prepared a research paper and presentation about the Memphis International Airport’s impact on the city of Memphis’ economic vitality. Now, he is an intern at the Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson Airport.

Rhodes College is featured in the Fiske Guide to Colleges 2023, a best-selling college guidebook that includes profiles of more than 300 of the “best and most interesting” colleges in the country. The guide recognizes Rhodes for educational opportunities beyond campus and strong programs in economics, English, international studies, history, chemistry, business, biology, and psychology.

Rhodes College music major Lina Beach ’23 is recording her first album at the legendary Willie Mitchell’s Royal Studios in Memphis, where musicians such as Al Green, Ann Peebles, Rod Stewart, John Mayer, and Bruno Mars have recorded hits. Beach also has been cutting tracks with musicians from the talented Hi Rhythm Section, which once was the studio’s house band and helped to define the studio’s unique sound.

There is a new addition to the Memphis Zoo family—Kosti the elephant—and she getting to know the zookeepers as well as Animal Behavior and Conservation Fellows from Rhodes College. The fellowship familiarizes students with the evolutionary, neural, and environmental behavior of animals.

Eight talented local high school students have been on campus this summer participating in the American Chemical Society’s Project SEED program hosted by Rhodes College’s Department of Chemistry. The students are conducting meaningful research under the supervision of Rhodes faculty within the chemistry department and biochemistry and molecular biology program.

Molly O'Shea, who recently graduated from Rhodes College with a bachelor’s degree in international studies and history, is the college’s latest recipient of a Fulbright U.S. Student Award for the 2022-2023 academic year. She will serve as an English Teaching Assistant in Turkey beginning in the fall. The Fulbright Program is the flagship international educational exchange program sponsored by the U.S. government and is designed to increase mutual understanding between the people of the United States and the people of other countries.

When Michael Lamb ’04 was a student at Rhodes College, he received the highly coveted Rhodes Scholarship (England) and published a book about community engagement. Now a tenured professor, he has published a book on character education. “My own character was formed significantly during my time at Rhodes, both in the classroom and in the community,” says Lamb. “I am grateful to Rhodes for offering a robust liberal arts education that emphasizes community engagement and teaches students how to live and lead.”

Dr. Jennifer M. Collins took office today as the 21st president of Rhodes College. She joins the national liberal arts college after serving as the Judge James Noel Dean and professor of law at Southern Methodist University in Texas. “I am truly honored to be joining the incredible community at Rhodes College today,” says President Collins. “I am very much looking forward to partnering with our wonderful faculty, staff, students, alumni, and community partners in the great city of Memphis to enhance the outstanding educational experience we provide and champion our commitments to service and inclusive excellence.”

Rhodes College is being awarded a National Science Foundation (NSF) Research grant in the amount of $639,165 to continue research performed by Professor of Chemistry Loretta Jackson-Hayes and Professor of Biology Terry Hill with students in their labs. The research explores cell growth and division of fungi and has potential to find more effective antifungal drugs.