Mystery Writers of America (MWA) has named prominent Rhodes alumna, Charlaine Harris Schulz ’73­­, a 2021 Grand Master. The New York Times bestselling author, who writes under the name Charlaine Harris, has published 13 novels in her Southern Vampire series, which was adapted by HBO into the popular television series, True Blood.

A remote semester at Rhodes has offered new challenges, but also opportunities for students to get creative. Seniors Harrison Rozman, Katie Gordon, and Ellie Schreiner have used this time to pursue entrepreneurial ventures.

Madison Zickgraf, a senior English major from Mount Juliet, TN, made the list of American finalists for the 2021 Rhodes Scholarship, the oldest and perhaps the best-known international fellowship program, which enables exceptional young people from around the world to study at the University of Oxford. Applicants for the Rhodes Scholarship must be endorsed by their college or university. Zickgraf was lauded for her intelligence, drive, insightfulness, and empathy by her recommenders at Rhodes College.

Rev. Beatrix Weil, chaplain at Rhodes College, is the recipient of multiple awards—totaling $14,000—that will help Rhodes students connect with the broader world and support the college’s commitment to promoting diversity, inclusion, equity, and accessibility.

Dr. Dan Cullen, professor of political science at Rhodes College, has been named to a new national task force addressing ways leaders in higher education can ensure their campuses flourish as places of open inquiry, free expression, and inclusion. The Academic Leaders Task Force on Campus Free Expression was launched by the Bipartisan Policy Center located in Washington, D.C., and is made up of college presidents, professors, administrators, and civic leaders.

Rhodes College has joined the Liberal Arts Colleges Racial Equity Leadership Alliance, a group of 51 national liberal arts colleges committed to addressing systemic racism and the unique challenges pertaining to racial diversity, equity, and inclusion on campus. Alliance membership provides a range of resources that will assist the college in achieving its strategic goals of fostering a culture of belonging and ensuring a transformational student experience.

With an impressive resume that includes time in the White House and service in the Department of Homeland Security, Victoria McCullough ’07 credits Rhodes with influencing her career path in community service and activism. Now serving as the Director of Public Policy and Social Impact at Tumblr, McCullough says that her affinity for social activism is more important than ever.

Rhodes senior and mock trial captain Matthew Mussalli has been working as a student clerk at the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Tennessee, one of the offices of the U.S. Department of Justice. This summer, he experienced first-hand the development of protocols for virtual trials due to the pandemic.

Dr. Kijan Bloomfield, assistant professor of religious studies, has been awarded a $7,500 grant for her project titled “Lived Africana Religion in the Time of COVID-19.” The award is from Columbia University’s Center on African American Religion, Sexual Politics and Social Justice, with support from the Henry Luce Foundation. Bloomfield will document and archive the ongoing impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Africana religious traditions, globally.

Dr. Dana Horgen’s dual passions for running and chemistry have defined her personal and professional trajectories. In addition to teaching and directing chemistry lab studies, the assistant professor of chemistry is captaining Team Rhodes, which participates in the annual St. Jude Memphis Marathon.