Ada Collins, who is a physics and mathematics major from Greensboro, NC, is among the 441 students from across the United States who have been selected as Goldwater Scholars for the 2025-2026 academic year. The Goldwater Foundation provides scholarships to support college sophomores and juniors who show exceptional promise of becoming the nation’s next generation of natural sciences, mathematics, and engineering research leaders.

Rhodes College senior Parth Sinojia has been selected to receive the Thomas J. Watson Fellowship, which provides a $40,000 stipend for 12 months to travel and pursue an original project on a global scale. He is one of only 37 fellows selected in the nation for 2025 and the only Watson Fellow selected from a Tennessee college or university. His project is titled “Health and Homelessness: Accessing Medical Care Systems,” with proposed destinations of Japan, Costa Rica, South Africa, and Singapore.

Sam Lippe '25 is majoring in mathematics, minoring in physics and music, and highlighting the value of his interdisciplinary experiences to his peers every step of the way through extracurricular and teaching endeavors.

Hannah Meit ’25, who is pursuing a mathematics major and a Russian minor, recently presented her pure math research at the Nebraska Conference for Undergraduate Women in Math, marking her fourth conference presentation. Throughout her time at Rhodes, she has published research, pursued an Honors Project, and found new passions. Now, she encourages other Rhodes students to step outside of their comfort zones.

Project Pericles is a consortium of colleges and universities that promotes civic engagement within higher education, and Rhodes has been a member since 2004. In December, Rhodes faculty were awarded grants from the organization to promote course development.

Four Rhodes employees— Sara Harris, Kate Collier, Melissa Campbell, and Elisha Vego—were recognized with the college’s 2024 Outstanding Staff Awards at the annual Service Recognition Brunch held May 14. Staff members with 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, and 40 years of service also were honored at the program held in the McCallum Ballroom. Cornett Townes was recognized as the Loretta Watkins Outstanding Housekeeper and Fred Garrett was recognized as Outstanding Campus Safety Officer.

Blair Kinsey is the recipient of the Peyton Nalle Rhodes Phi Beta Kappa Prize. The 2024 Algernon Sydney Sullivan Awards were presented to graduating seniors Mia-Miracle Craig and Oliver Hurst and Professor of Music William Skoog. The college presented the Distinguished Service Medal to Brian Foshee, who recently retired as director of physical plant at Rhodes.

Six graduating seniors’ portraits are being added to Rhodes College’s Hall of Fame on the second floor of Southwestern Hall. They are Asya Bray, Sam Frank, Oliver Hurst, Claire Kiernan, Hailey Smith, and Justin Thompson. 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.

Economics and mathematics major Drishti Bhatia ’26 presented the winning pitch at the recent Rhodes College Venture Challenge, gaining the $15,000 Grand Prize to help launch PlatePlan, which she co-founded with business major Winston Gasch ’26. Kyla Bursey ’24 was selected People’s Choice Award winner, based on votes by the audience.

Lily Whitesell's passion for STEM subjects flourished into endeavors spanning multiple disciplines, institutions, and countries while at Rhodes.