After a year of virtual programming, the Clough-Hanson Gallery at Rhodes College has reopened to the public with a new exhibition of works by Prof. Raina Belleau of the Department of Art and Art History. Inspired by pre-pandemic 2020 wildfire eruptions, "Enchanted Forest Fire" offers a chance to reflect upon our emotional repertoire during the drastic shifts of events in our surrounding environment.

Jazmine Rodriguez, new dean of equity and engagement in the Division of Student Life, has been a higher education administrator for nearly a decade. She comes to Rhodes College from Northwestern University, where she was a recruitment and operations specialist and assistant director in Campus Life. Prior to her time in Evanston, IL, she worked at Rollins College in Orlando, FL, as director of fraternity and sorority life and assistant director of residential life. Her extensive experience in programming includes student leadership; data-driven, needs-based programs focused on the nine dimensions of wellness; campus traditions; and student retention and success.

Rhodes College music faculty and guests will perform the world premiere of Sohrab and Rustum in New York City on Oct. 10. The one-act opera is written by award-winning New York composer Lucas Mason, who will attend the performance. The cast will perform the opera at Rhodes in November.

Rhodes College’s 2021 alumni awards were presented during the college’s Homecoming/Reunion Weekend Oct. 1-2. Dr. Stephen C. Threlkeld from the Class of 1986 received the Distinguished Alumni Award; Anna M. Laymon from the Class of 2011 the Young Alumni Award; and Florence M. Johnson from the Class of 1988 the Black Student Association Distinguished Alumni Award.

Senior Brendan Fusco’s commitment to varsity sports hasn’t stopped the international studies and Spanish major from engaging the opportunities offered by Rhodes. “As a year-round student-athlete competing in cross country and track, I don’t have as much time to complete traditional programs in internships and study abroad,” says Fusco. “Because of this, the Mertie Buckman program over the summer was the perfect way for me to get to do both . . . I believe that the work experience, linguistic opportunities, and independent travel [of the Mertie Buckman program] make for an invaluable combination in terms of professional development."

Rhodes College continues to be listed with America’s best colleges on annual rankings including the ones by The Princeton Review and U.S. News and World Report. Forbes magazine recently released its list of “America’s Top Colleges 2021,” and Rhodes is ranked 179th out of only 600 colleges and universities in the country that made the cut.

Rhodes College faculty continuously explore topics in their areas of expertise and produce publishable work. The roundup shares their latest research.

Former Rhodes president Dr. Marjorie Hass has published a new book, A Leadership Guide for Women in Higher Education, with John Hopkins University Press. The leadership guide, which was released August 10, offers wisdom and practical lessons in professional identity, negotiating power and conflict, finding joy in your work, growing as a leader, crafting a vision, building skills, and winning the job of president or senior college leader.

U.S. News and World Report has released its 2022 Best Colleges Rankings. Now in its 37th year, the rankings evaluate more than 1,400 colleges and universities on measures of academic quality. Rhodes College ranked No. 29 among national liberal arts colleges recognized for Best Undergraduate Teaching. It is one of only four national liberal arts colleges that made U.S. News’ Best Colleges for Veterans based on participation in federal initiatives helping veterans and active-duty service members pay for their degrees.

Meet four Resident Advisors at Rhodes College— Emma Dove ’23, English and chemistry major from Baton Rouge, LA; Sujung Hwang ’22, educational studies and English major from Seoul, South Korea; Liam McDade ’23, chemistry major from New Orleans, LA; and Jasmine DuMaine ’23, biology major from St. Louis, MO.