Rhodes plans to hold commencement for the classes of 2021 and 2020 in person at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium in Memphis on Saturday, May 15, 2021. The Class of 2021 will be celebrated at 8:30 a.m. and the Class of 2020 ceremony will take place at 6:00 p.m.

Native Memphian Zoe Scott’s dual interests of chemistry and baking have led to a creative career path: food science.

Rhodes Professor Karl Erickson and student Gunner Smith ’21 collaborated on a three-dimensional augmented reality project that has since been featured in multiple film and video festivals.

Rhodes College President Marjorie Hass will depart the college this summer to become president of the Council of Independent Colleges (CIC), a Washington-based national association of independent colleges and universities that supports leadership development, advances institutional excellence, and enhances the national understanding of private higher education. In this position she will be a leading voice in the national debates over higher education and in ensuring that independent higher education successfully adapts to new conditions. 

As a result of being a runner-up in last year’s John Quincy Adams Society’s student foreign policy essay contest, political economy major (Philosophy, Politics and Economics) Connor Lambert ’22 had his essay published in The National Interest. He says his advisor Prof. Stephen Ceccoli told him about the contest and helped him research his topic. “One of my favorite things about the political economy major is its interdisciplinary nature. I’ve enjoyed being able to pursue my academic passions across departments,” says Lambert. “Professors Ceccoli, Collins, Sciubba, Wirls, and Cullen all have provided invaluable guidance in their courses.”

Rhodes College faculty have a strong investment in training future scientists, according to Dr. Larryn Peterson, associate professor of chemistry. With a National Science Foundation grant, she and her team of students have been conducting research that is yielding big benefits. Erykah Starr ’20, Alexa Alana ’20, Ryan Marasco ’21, and Skyler Cochrane ’18 share their experiences on the team.

Clarence Day Scholar Russ Palmer ’21 earned the title of Battalion Commander in the ROTC program by the start of his senior year and was named cadet of the month last October, a national recognition that acknowledges the outstanding performance of an individual both in the classroom and in training.

Dr. Altovise Ewing graduated from Rhodes College in 2005 with a bachelor’s degree in biology and went on to receive a doctorate in genetics from Howard University. She now is one of the few Black Ph.D.-trained and board-certified genetic counselors in the United States.

Mathematics majors Lawton Walker and Evuilynn Nguyen recently presented posters at the annual Joint Mathematics Meeting, known as the world’s largest mathematics gathering. Both students are seniors and pursuing minors in computer science.

Members of Rhodes College’s storied and successful mock trial program haven’t let last year’s challenges of adapting to a virtual format defeat them. After competing in the regional mock trial tournament held online Feb. 6, Rhodes A team secured the college’s first bid to compete in the opening round of the National Championship Tournament.