Alums Spearhead Updates to Sports Facilities to Honor

Longtime Coaches Clary and Hilgeman

Rhodes’ golfers are now able to improve their game throughout the year, thanks to the Mike and Nancy Clary Golf Facility. The more than $464,000 indoor golf facility is named in honor of Clary—head women’s golf coach and the longest-serving Rhodes athletics staff member—and his wife, Nancy.

Located on the first floor of the Bryan Campus Life Center, the golf facility includes two Trackman golf simulators and a turf putt and chip facility with holes at varying grades to mimic outdoor courses. This provides an on-campus option for training, while not allowing weather to inhibit practice time.

“The fundraising effort began in 2019 with a parent and alumnus proposing an on-campus golf facility,” says Director of Athletic Giving Nicole Lazo Tugg ’05. “This seed money was used to propel the effort forward. More than 45 alumni, parents, and friends have contributed and honored the legacy of Coach Clary and Nancy’s continuous commitment to the Rhodes community, especially in athletics.”

This fall, the court in Mallory Gymnasium will bear the name of Herb Hilgeman, who served as head men’s basketball coach from 1976 to 2010. Over the course of his career, he became the college’s all-time leader in wins for all sports.

Hilgeman has been a friend and mentor to hundreds of Rhodes student-athletes, and the college named the court in his honor after alumni came together to raise money to update the gymnasium. As head coach, Hilgeman compiled a 473-360 record, had 14 teams rank in the top 25 nationally, and had teams participate in three NCAA tournaments. In addition to his basketball coaching duties, Hilgeman served as head volleyball coach in 1982 and 1983.

David Norton ’95, who was the catalyst for the fundraising effort, had this to say: “If you ask anyone affiliated with Rhodes basketball from the mid-1970s to 2011, they immediately talk about Coach Herb Hilgeman and the impact he had on their life. From his constant, upbeat attitude, to his intensity on the court, Coach poured his heart and soul into Rhodes College. As competitive as he was, he also knew that our pursuits off the court were more important to our future as productive members of our communities. In short, he understood and truly embraced the spirit of Division III athletics.”

Milestones

$1 Million Endowment in Biology

Rhodes has established a $1 million endowment thanks to the generosity of Patricia and Charles Robertson, Jr. ’65. The Charles and Patricia Robertson Biology Faculty Research Fund will provide $50,000 annually to the Department of Biology to fund new and ongoing faculty-led research projects.

“We are so grateful to the Robertsons for their continued support. This gift allows us to build on our successful model of transforming students into practicing biologists who are able to publish their research and contribute to the biological sciences. We are very excited to have these critical resources and look forward to supporting the amazing work our students do with our faculty,” says Dr. Mary Miller, professor and chair of biology.

$2 Million Gift in Psychology

A $2 million gift from the estate of Dr. Frances Elaine Donelson ’59 will endow a new chair and fellowship program in the Department of Psychology.

First of Its Kind Opportunity for Division III Athletes

MOGL, the leading provider of NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) technology and digital agency services, signed a partnership with Rhodes to offer NIL opportunities and support to the college’s student-athletes so that they will be able to monetize their personal brands in a safe and compliant manner. The deal was the first of its kind in Division III athletics. Clean Energy, a clean label sports nutrition leader, was selected as the provider of products.

Division III athletes don’t receive athletic scholarships and now Rhodes student-athletes will have the opportunity to earn income through endorsements, sponsorships, and other marketing opportunities, which can help offset some of the costs associated with being a student-athlete.

The F. Elaine Donelson Chair of Psychology and Religion will recognize the outstanding work of a psychology faculty member and provide resources to enhance their research and teaching. When fully funded, the F. Elaine Donelson Fellowship program will provide five or more students with opportunities to pursue research with faculty mentors, engage in community service, establish connections between academics and vocation, and explore meaningful projects related to student wellness and spirituality. Donelson, who died Jan. 5, 2021, earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Rhodes in 1959. A member of the Phi Beta Kappa honor society at Rhodes, she earned a master’s degree from the University of Maryland and a Ph.D. from Cornell University. A widely published author, Donelson was a professor of psychology at Michigan State University for 33 years, where she taught such courses as Psychology of Women, Psychology of Religion, Women and Religion, and Personality Theory.

Rhodes College Giving Day Breaks Record

Rhodes College’s annual Giving Day, held March 28 and 29, raised $175,915 with 1,116 gifts. This is the largest number of gifts ever made in one of the giving day challenges.

Faculty and staff giving increased 100 percent while student giving rose by 39 percent, and alumni giving increased six percent. The top two performing classes were the Class of 2016 and Class of 1993.

The event was held for 1,848 minutes, in honor of the college’s founding date.