News and information about the Rhodes campus experience.

Carroll D. Stevens, J.D., took office today as interim president of Rhodes College. A member of the Rhodes College Board of Trustees, President Stevens is one of the country’s top innovative leaders in education. Since 2013, he has served as president of the public benefit corporation Ardeo Education Solutions, and he recently served as vice president for advancement at Claremont McKenna College.

Dr. Rashna Richards, professor of English and chair of media studies at Rhodes College, has been promoted to dean for faculty reviews and assessment effective July 1, 2021. She has served as director for faculty reviews since 2019 as part of the Office of Academic Affairs’ leadership teams.

Vice President for Student Life Dr. Meghan Harte Weyant has announced Jim Duncan as the next Director of Athletics for Rhodes College, effective July 5.

Rhodes College will expand its Media Studies Program this fall with a major in media studies. Approved by faculty in April 2021, the new major offers a critical understanding of the history, theory, and production of visual media from film to TV to digital and social media. Although a minor in film and media studies has existed for more than two decades, student interest and supporting data from research conducted as part of the college’s strategic planning process factored into the consideration of media studies as a major.

Last year, Rhodes’ Africana Studies Program launched a new academic major all while classes met online during a global pandemic. The college conferred a diploma on the major’s first graduate, Molly Webster ’21, at commencement May 15.

Rhodes College will phase out its major in theatre starting in 2021, citing a lack in student interest in majoring in the discipline, provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Katherine Bassard announced. The college will work to establish co-curricular opportunities for students interested in theatre both on campus and in Memphis’ vibrant performing arts community.

Rhodes College celebrated the commencement of the Classes of 2020 and 2021 May 15. Their degrees were officially conferred May 2020. Rhodes also awarded the 2021 commencement awards, which include some of the highest honors the college recognizes.

The 2021 Clarence Day Awards for Outstanding Teaching and for Outstanding Research and Creative Activity are awarded to Dr. Brian Larkins and Dr. Scott Newstok, respectively. The Clarence Day Awards, presented to two faculty members each year, are two of the college’s highest honors for its faculty.

Six seniors’ portraits have been added to Rhodes’ Hall of Fame on the second floor of Southwestern Hall. They are K’nori Bone, Jacob Fontaine, Betsy John, Hannah Johns, Sydney Jones, and Mary Thomas. Selection to the Hall of Fame, which was established in 1931, is based on individual merit, leadership in student activities, service to others, and overall contributions to the campus community. Honorees are chosen by their peers.