Rev. Dr. Dorothy Sanders Wells, who is a member of the Rhodes Class of 1982 and Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Mississippi, will receive an honorary Doctor of Humanities at the 177th Commencement of Rhodes College. The ceremony will be held Saturday, May 16, at 8:30 a.m. in the Hubert F. Fisher Memorial Garden on campus. In the event of rain, Commencement will take place in the Bryan Campus Life Center.
In 2024, Wells made history becoming the first woman and first Black person elected to lead the diocese. She had served as rector of St. George's Episcopal Church in Germantown, TN, and chaplain of the church’s preschool. Born in Mobile, AL, Wells earned a bachelor’s degree in vocal performance from Rhodes, where she was the first Black student inducted into the college’s chapter of Phi Beta Kappa. She has also earned a Master of Divinity from the Memphis Theological Seminary, a Juris Doctor from The University of Memphis, and Doctor of Ministry from Emory University.
Prior to her ordination into the ministry, Wells practiced law for 18 years, first with the law firm of Waring Cox, PLLC and then as a corporate attorney for FedEx. She also has been active in the Memphis community, serving on the boards of directors of the Metropolitan Inter-Faith Association (MIFA), Church Health, Community Alliance for the Homeless, and Room in the Inn-Memphis.
“I believe that my years in Memphis are marked by my commitment to serving the underserved and creating opportunities for meaningful dialogue among ecumenical and interfaith groups. The foundation I received at Rhodes helped me understand my call to make the world a better place,” said Wells.
In addition, Wells has served on the Alumni Association Executive Board of Rhodes College and the Board of Trustees of St. Mary’s Episcopal School. She received the Black Student Association’s Distinguished Alumna Award in 2011 and at Rhodes’ Commencement in 2015 was presented with the Algernon Sydney Sullivan service award.
Wells is the mother of two adult daughters.
“Bishop Wells has lived out the Rhodes mission with uncommon clarity and purpose,” said Rhodes College President Jennifer Collins. “Her leadership, her service to others, and her unwavering commitment to justice and compassion exemplify the values we hope every graduate carries into the world. We are deeply proud to honor her with this degree.”