National and global news about Rhodes students and alums

Rhodes College sent a delegation of 11 members to the Tennessee Intercollegiate State Legislature’s (TISL) 52nd General Assembly, held Nov. 18-21 in Nashville at the State Capitol. Harry Dircks ’24 won the Outstanding Senator award, and Pierce Rose ’22 received The Douglas Carlisle Award, given to an student who has made significant contributions to TISL through participation, service, and leadership. Other members of the team include Matthew Kenny ’22, who served as this year’s Governor, and Maya Ring ’23, who served as Speaker Pro Tempore of the Senate.

At an on-campus celebration on Dec. 6, 2021, Rhodes College announced the appointment of Jennifer M. Collins as its 21st president following a unanimous vote by the Board of Trustees.

Erika Pope, musical arts coordinator for the Rhodes Department of Music, serves as the 39th National President of Tau Beta Sigma, which is a co-educational National Honorary Band Sorority. Dr. Carole Blankenship, chair of the Rhodes Department of Music, is finishing up a two-year term as president of the National Association of Teachers of Singing.

Dr. Timothy Huebner, the Irma O. Sternberg Professor of History and associate provost at Rhodes College, has been named chair of the board of editors of the Journal of Supreme Court History, published three times a year by the Supreme Court Historical Society in Washington, DC. In June 2021, Melvin I. Urofsky retired from the position after serving the Supreme Court Historical Society for 30 years.

Four Rhodes College seniors are competing for the prestigious Thomas J. Watson Fellowship, which provides a $36,000 grant for purposeful, independent exploration abroad in 2022. If selected, fellows execute their conceived projects by traveling outside the United States for one year. They are Chris Prigg, Aidan Smith, Marley Wisby, and Lauren Yenari.

The New York City Internship Program runs through mid-December for a total of 16 academic credits. It is made up of an eight-hour academic internship and two courses. One course focuses on the theater industry, on and off Broadway, as well as the personal, cultural, and professional value of theater. The other course delves into the history of the people of New York. Fieldtrips and walking tours to New York City’s neighborhoods, museums, and other cultural venues are part of the course content.

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.

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."

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.

Jenny Rogers of the Rhodes College Class of 2006 is stepping into a new position at The Washington Post as lifestyle editor. Beginning in September, she will lead editors, reporters, and freelance writers covering parenting, wellness, home, and KidsPost topics. Her six-year career at The Post includes working as deputy editor of the Talent Network and assistant editor of the Outlook section. Recently, Rogers took time out of her busy schedule to answer questions from her alma mater regarding her professional and college career.