Dr. Earl Wright II, who joined Rhodes’ Department of Anthropology and Sociology this year as professor of sociology, has published a new book titled Jim Crow Sociology: The Black and Southern Roots of American Sociology. The eye-opening book features the activities and contributions of early African American sociologists at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) such as Tuskegee Institute, Fisk University, Howard University, and Atlanta University.

Rhodes students are known for being intellectually curious and self-motivated, but it always helps to have the guidance of faculty mentors. Natalie Smith ’22, with the assistance of Dr. Ali Masood in political science, has been working on a project focusing on redistricting cases in the American federal judiciary. Masood calls Smith’s project “well thought out and well executed” that has the potential to be published in a peer-reviewed outlet.

Using classroom training to serve the Memphis community, Rhodes’ business course Taxation for Working Poor accomplishes the college’s vision of ​students translating academic study and personal concern into effective leadership and action in their communities. Since starting the course in 2015, Rhodes has certified more than 275 student volunteers, who have helped Memphis taxpayers save approximately $10,186,000 in combined refunds and tax preparation fees.

At Rhodes, Sarah Eiland ’20 discovered her passion and followed it all the way to Ireland at the University College of Dublin (UCD) where she is pursuing a master’s degree in the school’s Gender, Politics, and International Relations program.

In just two years, the Just Food: Race, Class, and Gender in the U.S. course has become one of the most unique and popular classes offered at Rhodes. The JustFood podcast highlights stories exploring the complexities of food production, consumption, and inequality across the city of Memphis. “As a collective, the podcast series reveals the role of storytelling to promote empowerment through awareness, equity, and autonomy,” explains Dr. Kimberly Kasper. “We hope that all who listen can come to recognize the value of those narratives and how they help to shape the dynamic foodscape of Memphis.”

With the Rhodes community scattered across the globe this semester as a result of the pandemic, literature has served as a solace for many. Alumni and students have been reaching out to professors in search of reading recommendations, and Dr. Caki Wilkinson ’03 and Dr. Gordon Bigelow have compiled a list of literary works that can serve to educate, entertain, and inspire readers.

Rhodes College President Marjorie Hass issued a statement regarding Judge Amy Coney Barrett’s ’94 nomination to the Supreme Court.

Dr. Nicholas Buccola, founding director of Linfield University’s Frederick Douglass Forum on Law, Rights, and Justice, will deliver Rhodes College’s virtual Constitution Day lecture on Monday, Oct. 5, at 3 p.m. The title of the talk is “To Secure the Blessings of Liberty: Frederick Douglass’ Aspirational Constitution.”

The researchers have been awarded a prestigious National Science Foundation grant of $267,970 to study brain activity involved in body movement using 3D motion capture technology. “This equipment is going to put Rhodes College on the map as a serious contributor in the movement science research space,” says Dr. Dan Blustein, principal investigator and assistant professor of psychology. “We are really excited about the diversity of projects we have planned and about getting students from all over the college involved.”

Rhodes’ Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Program recently received results about its senior majors who took the 2020 certification exam administered by the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. Ninety-three percent of the Rhodes students who took the exam in March passed, with 53 percent achieving certification with distinction.