The Magazine of Rhodes College - Fall/Winter 2022

The Rhodes Vision

Rhodes College aspires to graduate students with a life-long passion for learning, a compassion for others, and the ability to translate academic study and personal concern into e ective leadership and action in their communities and the world.

We will achieve our aspiration through four strategic imperatives:

Student Access

To attract and retain a talented, diverse student body and engage these students in a challenging, inclusive, and culturally broadening college experience.

Student Learning

To ensure our faculty and sta have the talent, the time, and the resources to inspire and involve our students in meaningful study, research, and service.

Student Engagement

To enhance student opportunities for learning in Memphis.

Student Inspiration

To provide a residential place of learning that inspires integrity and high achievement through its beauty, its emphasis on values, its Presbyterian history, and its heritage as a leader in the liberal arts and sciences.

Adopted by the Rhodes Board of Trustees

January 17, 2003

FALL/WINTER 2022

Jennifer Collins President

Jenna Goodloe Wade

Vice President of Development

Tracy Vezina Patterson ’84, P’22

Director of Alumni Relations

Martha Shepard ’66

Editor Emeritus

Linda Bonnin

VIce President for Marketing and Communications

Jana Files ’78

Assistant Director for Marketing and Communications

Charles Kenny Assistant Director for Marketing and Communications

Larry Ahokas Graphic Designer

CONTRIBUTORS

Dionne Chalmers

Matthew Harris ’20

Hannah-Elsie Meit ’25

Gaye Swan

PHOTOGRAPHERS

Justin Fox Burks

Priscilla Foreman ’23

Jackson Hendrix ’24

Jadyn Scott ’24

Photo by Justin Fox Burks

A LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT

Jennifer Collins

I am truly honored and humbled to be writing my rst letter to you in the Rhodes magazine as the new president of this remarkable institution. I am so grateful for the warm welcome that my family and I have received since arriving in July, and I am very excited about the wonderful opportunities that lie ahead for this college that we all love so dearly.

e greatest strength of Rhodes has always been its extraordinary students, faculty, and sta . In the pages that follow, you will read about some of their recent accomplishments. Our faculty are creative and impactful researchers, in addition to being stellar teachers, and their work is receiving national recognition. In the chemistry department alone, Dr. Shana Stoddard has received the 2022 Henry C. McBay Outstanding Teacher Award at the 49th annual meeting of the National Organization for the Professional Advancement of Black Chemists and Chemical Engineers, and Dr. Larryn Peterson and Dr. Will Eckenho have been awarded a $399,000 National Science Foundation Grant to support their work and enhance undergraduate research. Dr. Elaine Frawley of the biology department was recently awarded a $300,000 grant from the National Institutes of Health to support her research on bacterial infections. We are so proud that these outstanding teacher-scholars are receiving these well-deserved honors.

Not to be outdone, our students are also having an extraordinary impact on our campus, in our city, and across the world. We are thrilled that our campus has returned to the same level of vibrancy that was the norm prior to the pandemic, and our students are taking every possible advantage of that return to normalcy. Our Rhodes Singers and Chamber Singers

performed a summer tour in Germany and the Czech Republic, our study abroad programs are back in full swing, and our students are winning Fulbrights and other prestigious fellowships to launch their careers abroad post-graduation. Our psychology students are presenting at national conferences, our physics students have been recognized by the national Society of Physics Students, and Janay Kelley ’24, an English major and Clarence Day Scholar, had her short lm featured at the Indie Memphis Youth Film Fest. And of course, our students continue to contribute thousands of hours of service each year to the wonderful city of Memphis.

You will also meet some of the newest members of our leadership team in this edition— Gil Villanueva, our new vice president for enrollment; Linda Bonnin, our new vice president for marketing and communications; and Anne Beard, a graduate of the Class of 1984, who is returning to Rhodes as chief of sta in the president’s o ce. We are all so excited to get to work together to move Rhodes forward to even greater heights.

ank you for all you do to support this very special community.

Jennifer Collins

Faculty Focus

Leslie Petty Honored for Outstanding Faculty Service

Dr. Leslie Petty, associate professor of English and chair of the department, was presented the 2022 Jameson M. Jones Award for Outstanding Faculty Service on Aug. 19 at the college’s Opening Convocation. The award honors a current faculty member who has established an outstanding record of service and provided leadership to the college.

“Known in her discipline for her scholarship in the areas of feminism and American fiction, Petty quickly made a name for herself at Rhodes as an important contributor to the life of the campus community. Petty has repeatedly demonstrated her commitment to colleagues, students, and the college, and in doing so has set a high standard for service,” said Dr. Katherine Bassard, provost and vice president for academic affairs, who made the presentation.

In addition to serving on numerous committees, Petty has served as faculty mentor to the English honor society Sigma Tau Delta, faculty associate for the Rhodes baseball team, assistant director of the Rhodes Summer Writing Institute, and as a member of the Faculty Development Committee. She also served three years as chair of the Gender and Sexuality Studies Program, during which she coordinated the annual Gender and Sexuality Studies Student Symposium.

Shana Stoddard Receives National Teaching Award

Dr. Shana Stoddard, associate professor of chemistry, received the 2022 Henry C. McBay Outstanding Teacher Award at the 49th annual meeting of the National Organization for the Professional Advancement of Black Chemists and Chemical Engineers in Orlando, FL. According to the awards committee, the Henry C. McBay Outstanding Teacher Award recognizes the dedication that Stoddard has shown in research, her commitment to the educational development of others, and her passion shown for STEM.

Stoddard is the founding director of The STEM Cohort Mentoring Program, which she established in 2017 after she transitioned from a Hearst Postdoctoral Teaching Fellow to a tenure track assistant professor of chemistry. The program is an affinity-based mentoring program that is designed to center Black and African American culture to support these students as they pursue majors or careers in STEM after Rhodes. Students participate in workshops and professional development opportunities and receive support to foster their excellence while at Rhodes and beyond.

“At Rhodes we understand the value and importance of creating identity-safe spaces that reflect a range of cultures to support students from diverse backgrounds,” says Stoddard. “We also endeavor to create more mentoring programs using The STEM Cohort Mentoring Program as a model format to expand mentoring opportunities for our students.”

In her Master Scientist talk in Orlando, Stoddard told the story of the genesis of The STEM Cohort Mentoring Program and successes that have followed, including the first cohort graduating in 2021, with many of them pursuing graduate degrees in STEM. “I don’t want them just to survive; I want them to thrive in STEM,” says Stoddard.

RHODES WELCOMES NEW FACULTY TO CAMPUS

At the 52nd Annual Conference of the Association of Black Sociologists held in Chicago, IL, Oct. 13-16, Wright’s work—which frames the scholarship of African American sociologists at HBCUs (historically Black colleges and universities) as canonical contributions to sociology— was the featured topic of the “Author Meets Legacy” session.

Earl Wright II Honored for Work in Sociology

Dr. Earl Wright II, professor of sociology, recently was honored at the annual meetings of two sociology associations.

The same week, Wright was awarded the Thomas C. Calhoun Excellence in Mentoring Award at the Mid-South Sociological Association’s 48th Annual Meeting held in Nashville, TN. The award is named in memory of Wright’s own mentor, who died in 2019.

At the conference, Rhodes alum Nithila Ramesh ’21, whom Wright mentored

while at Rhodes, won first place in the Graduate Student paper competition. Ramesh currently is pursuing a master’s degree in sociology at The University of Memphis.

In addition, Wright delivered the plenary speech, which was on the history of applied and public sociology at HBCUs in the South. His primary research and teaching interests are the contributions of African Americans and HBCUs to American sociology.

Wright is the author of Jim Crow Sociology: The Black and Southern Roots of American Sociology. He currently is serving a one-year term as president of the Southern Sociological Society.

Back row, from left: Anna Eldridge ’02, Politics and Law; Herb Berg, Religious Studies; Kavita Gaur, Chemistry; Austin Harrison, Urban Studies; Kyle Dempsey, Mathematics and Computer Science; Stacey Battis, Modern Languages and Literatures; Yang Qi, Modern Languages and Literatures; Kelly Diamond, Biology; Sarah Cate, Business

Front row, from left: Shatavia Wynn, Religious Studies; Andrea Jacobo, Urban Studies; Laura Shanahan, Psychology; Juanita Bernal Benavides, Modern Languages and Literatures; Liam Hunt, Biology; Rocio Rodriguez del Rio, Modern Languages and Literatures (not pictured: Jessica Cowan, Mathematics and Computer Science)

Students Excel

Rhodes seniors u-Trang Nguyen, Jana Turner, and Jiaxuan (Jade) Yang together earned the second-place prize of $500 in a data visualization contest for college students presented by the National Institute of Statistical Sciences. e Rhodes submission for the national competition was part of a midterm project in the Math 235: Data Visualization course taught by professor Erika David Parr. “Students came away with a view of data visualization as equally an art and a science as they answered the question of ‘What story am I choosing to tell?’ about a given dataset,” says Parr. “As their instructor and mentor for this project utilizing real-world datasets, I’m exceptionally proud of this group of students and that their work has been recognized on the national level.”

e Department of Psychology at Rhodes also has a long history of involving students in faculty-mentored research, including more than 50 students annually on research teams. So far this year, three research teams have presented their research at different national conferences of the American Psychological Association, Cognitive Development Society Conference, and Cognition Aging Conference.

to continue improving my Chinese language skills in an immersive environment,” says Entz.

Entz also is a Rhodes Global Delegate who helps guide students through the study abroad application process. In the summer of 2021, she studied economics at e London School of Economics and Political Science.

Maryam Taysir ’22 Awarded Emerson National Hunger Fellowship

Maryam Taysir, who graduated in May 2022 with a bachelor’s degree in business, is the recipient of an Emerson National Hunger Fellowship, an 11-month program that provides unique leadership development opportunities for motivated individuals who wish to make a difference in eliminating hunger and poverty in the United States.

Anne Entz ’23 Studies in Taiwan as Critical Language Education Program Boren Scholar

Senior Anne Entz, who is the recipient of the prestigious Boren Scholarship, studied Mandarin Chinese in Taipei, Taiwan, at the National Taiwan University for the fall 2022 semester.

Sponsored by the National Security Education Program and administered by the Institute of International Education, the scholarship funds study abroad with the goal of immersing students in a language critical to U.S. national security interests. Boren scholars are awarded from $12,500 to $25,000, determined by their duration abroad.

At Rhodes, Entz is majoring in international studies, economics, and Chinese studies. “I chose to study Mandarin in Taiwan because I have had a wonderful experience studying Chinese at Rhodes, and I wanted

Emerson Fellows are placed with communitybased organizations across the country and with policy-focused organizations in Washington, D.C. Taysir is working at Maryland Hunger Solutions in Baltimore. According to its site, the organization works with state and community partners to provide education about hunger in Maryland, improve public policies to end food insecurity and poverty, and ensure that eligible residents are connected to federal and state nutrition programs and school meals programs.

“I’m so grateful to be joining the 29th class of Emerson National Hunger Fellows. Getting to be a part of the Emerson Fellowship family—people who’ve dedicated some part of their careers to tackle poverty, homelessness, and food insecurity—is incredible,” says Taysir. “In my personal aim to tackle these issues, I still have a lot to learn. e fellowship will provide an opportunity to learn from people who’ve not only worked on the ground but also who’ve connected with policymakers to make change. is feels like the next step in which I hope to be able to continue my work in the field while also potentially influencing change on a macro level. at is why I’m excited about the chance to be a part of this fellowship.”

MEET THE CLASS OF 2026

478 First-Year Students are Enrolled Fall 2022

Representing 39 &12 States (plus D.C.) Countries

60% Attended Public High Schools

40% Attended Private High Schools

91% had a Grade Point Average of 3.50 or Greater

Students of Color (Domestic and International) Make Up

35% of the Class of 2026

Family Weekend

Family Weekend has something for everyone, from sports to music to good food (barbecue, of course) to the ever-popular and longest-running student event at Rhodes, the Kappa Delta All-Sing.

Distinguished Alumni

Recognized during Homecoming/Reunion Weekend

Distinguished Alumni Award

The Distinguished Alumni Award recognizes alumni who have brought honor to Rhodes College through extraordinary achievement in their profession and community.

Dr. Russell T. Wigginton Jr. ’88 is president of the National Civil Rights Museum. He earned a bachelor’s degree in history from Rhodes and returned to his alma mater in 1996 to teach in the history department. In 2003, President Emeritus Bill Troutt tapped him to serve as special assistant to the president to build meaningful partnerships in the Memphis community. His more than 20year career at Rhodes also includes serving as vice president for college relations, vice president of external programs, and vice president of student life.

In 2019, Wigginton joined Tennessee’s State Collaborative on Reforming Education as its chief postsecondary impact officer. He became president of the National Civil Rights Museum in 2021. Active in the Memphis community, Wigginton has served on numerous boards including Metropolitan Inter-Faith Association, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Facing History and Ourselves, ArtsMemphis, Knowledge Quest, Bridges USA, Ballet Memphis, Memphis Literacy Council, and Memphis Symphony Orchestra, just to name a few.

Wigginton holds a master’s degree and doctorate in history from the University of Illinois at UrbanaChampaign.

Brad Hensley ’12, Russ T. Wigginton ’88, and Kathy Moore Cowan ’78

The Young Alumni Award

This award is presented to young alumni who have brought honor to Rhodes through achievement in their profession and community. Originally from Oak Ridge, TN, systems engineer Brad Hensley graduated from Rhodes in 2012 with a double major in biology and physics. As an undergraduate, he developed an interest in aerospace engineering and went on to earn a master’s degree in aerospace engineering from the University of Colorado – Boulder.

While working in the aerospace industry, Hensley has led efforts to develop advanced deployable structures for defense and commercial spacecrafts. He also is an inventor with multiple patents in a technology called slit-tube boom, which has been adopted by the space industry to deploy spacecraft systems. Hensley was involved in a NASA-simulated mission to Mars during the summer of 2022. For 45 days, he and other crew members lived and worked like astronauts on the Human Exploration Research Analog at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston while “traveling” to the Martian moon Phobos. Hensley has offered shadowing opportunities to Rhodes physics students interested in the aerospace industry and serves as consultant for the college’s RHOK-SAT project involving a four-inch cube satellite designed by faculty and students to be launched into space aboard a NASA-sponsored rocket by late 2024.

Black Student Association’s Distinguished Alumni Award

The award recognizes African American alumni whose record of outstanding personal achievement and service to others has inspired Rhodes students and brought honor to their alma mater.

Memphian Kathy Moore Cowan graduated from Rhodes in 1978 with a bachelor’s degree in political science and anthropology/sociology and went on to earn a master’s degree in urban planning from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. She has spent more than two decades driving highimpact community investment activity and currently serves as executive director of the Memphis office of the Local Initiatives Support Corporation, which supports community development initiatives across the country.

Cowan also has served as vice president/community development manager for Regions Bank-West TN, SW Kentucky, North AR; senior community development specialist for the Memphis Branch of the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis; and president/CEO of The Works, a nonprofit community development corporation serving South Memphis. While working at The Works, Cowan trained several interns who were Rhodes students.

She has volunteered her time and service on a number of boards including Memphis Housing Authority, the Blight Authority of Memphis, Community Foundation of Greater Memphis, and Mustard Seed, Inc.

Rhodes College Receives National Accolades

Rhodes over the years has received recognition for being a special place to learn, work, and live, so this year’s rankings were no surprise.

Rhodes landed on Money’s Best Colleges in America 2022 Editors of the magazine spent months evaluating data on quality, affordability, and student outcomes for more than 600 fouryear colleges across the country. In addition, Rhodes made the magazine’s 50 Best Colleges in the South list.

Rhodes ranked No. 2 for Tennessee Colleges on WalletHub’s 2023’s Best College & Universities list.

The college also was among Forbes’ list of America’s Top Colleges for 2022 “We’re proud to spotlight the colleges and universities that are offering top academics and career success while minimizing debt for students across America,” said Emma Whitford, senior education reporter.

DegreeChoices , a relatively new company providing information about college options, ranked Rhodes No. 13 among top 20 liberal arts colleges providing economic returns.

The Fiske Guide to Colleges 2023 recognized Rhodes’ strong programs in economics, English, international studies, history, chemistry, business, biology, and psychology and educational opportunities beyond campus, pointing out that 75 percent of Rhodes students tap into a variety of study abroad programs around the world.

In U.S. News & World Report’s 2022-2023 Best Colleges, Rhodes ranked No. 55—sharing that position with four other colleges—for National Liberal Arts Colleges. The college also landed at No. 23 for Most Innovative and No. 26 for Best Undergraduate Teaching among liberal arts colleges.

When The Princeton Review released its 13th annual Guide to Green Colleges, Rhodes was included. The company publishes the annual resource for college applicants seeking schools with strong commitments to the environment in their campus policies, programs, and practices.

Rhodes has been known to catch the eye of onlookers and visitors, but its own students helped it earn the No. 20 spot on the “Most Beautiful Campus” list of The Princeton Review’s The Best 388 Colleges: 2023 Edition.

The college also caught the attention of Architectural Digest as one of the prettiest college campuses in America. The magazine noted the college’s “beautiful wooded campus with uniformly Collegiate Gothic buildings made of Arkansas sandstone, Vermont slate, and Indiana limestone.”

SPORTS ROUNDUP

Rhodes Athletics received numerous postseason awards this fall, including SAA Coach of the Year for men’s soccer head coach

Defensive Player of the Year for Men’s Soccer goalkeeper Mitchell Fenton ’25 SAA Co-Sta of the Year for Field Hockey

head coach assistant coach

Katie Gerzabek Salem and Averill Erdody ; and SAA

Matt Lamb; SAA ; Rhodes

O ensive Player of the Year for Field Hockey, Sophie Croci ’24. In addition, Rhodes had 26 athletes (men’s soccer, women’s soccer, volleyball, eld hockey and cross country) named to SAA All-Conference teams.

had athletes unbeaten

Men’s Soccer was unbeaten in the conference and won the SAA Regular Season, and Women’s Soccer fell in the conference semi nals aftera great year. Field Hockey also won the SAA Regular Season title after going a perfect 5-0 in conference play, and Cross Country runner Jared Briant ’23 represented Rhodes at the NCAA Division III National Championships.

A BIG thank you goes to all the donors who made our Athletic Day of Giving so successful. We reached 196% of our goal, with 1,041 donors giving more than $283,000 to support our athletic programs!

SO LONG COACH

Clary to Step Down After 44 Years with Rhodes Athletics

Mike Clary ’77, head women’s golf coach at Rhodes College, has announced that he will retire in May 2023 upon completion of his 44th year on the Rhodes athletic sta . He is the longest-serving sta member in Rhodes’ athletic history. For the last 17 years, Clary has served as the head coach of the women’s golf program, with the Lynx winning the NCAA Division III National Championship in 2014, 2016, and 2017. From 1990 to 2016, Clary served as director of athletics for Rhodes. He was also head football coach from 1984 to 1996. He is the winningest football coach in Rhodes history. In addition, Clary was head coach for men’s track and eld from 1980 to 1990, and head coach for swimming and diving from 2004 to 2006.

“Jokingly, I have told people it has been my goal to coach every sport at Rhodes,” says Clary. “I didn’t coach every sport, but I watched thousands of games and matches of every sport. It’s hard to call what I’ve done the past 44 years a job because it’s been a labor of love.”

During Clary’s tenure as director of athletics, the number of student-athletes participating at Rhodes increased from 300 to 530 with the following sports being instituted for the rst time for the Lynx: women’s eld hockey, women’s track and eld, women’s softball, women’s golf, women’s and men’s swimming and diving, women’s and men’s lacrosse, and women’s and men’s indoor track and eld.

THE MIKE CLARY YEARS

Women’s

26 years

Mike and his brother Tinker, who was a 27-year volunteeer in the athletic department

Billboard Names Rhodes a 2022 Top Music Business School

Rhodes is one of only 38 programs named by Billboard Magazine as a 2022 Top Business School. e designation is based on factors that include industry recommendations, alumni information provided by honorees from multiple power lists, and information requested from each school.

Billboard noted: “ e historically rich and artistically vibrant city of Memphis is woven into the experience of all students at Rhodes College’s Mike Curb Institute for Music . . . e institute also immerses students in the industry at large . . . Deeply rooted in Rhodes’ broader liberal arts focus, the institute aims to produce graduates who not only know how to work in the industry but also how to think broadly about the world.”

“ e recognition we’ve gotten from Billboard is an honor and reinforces our model of learning and how we are nding a di erent mechanism for music industry-based education though the liberal arts,” says Dr. John Bass, associate professor of music and director of the Mike Curb Institute for Music at Rhodes.

e Curb Institute was founded in 2006 through a generous gift from the Mike Curb Family Foundation to foster awareness and understanding of the distinct musical traditions of the South and to study the e ect music has had on its culture, history, and economy.  Students learn the inner workings of the music business—from sound editing and video production to marketing and community engagement—as they prepare to become the next generation of leaders.

Curb fellows are comfortable working as members of teams, processing feedback, and making connections with recording artists, producers, concert promoters, engineers, songwriters, and copyright and trademark

Lina Beach ’23

Fellows also produce the on-campus music festival Respect Fest, as well as the Beyond Beale podcast, and Dredge zine, which spotlight the Memphis music scene.

In the City’s Studios

The Audio Engineering course takes students out of the Curb Institute’s recording room to Memphis’ historic studios, including Ardent Studios, whose artists have included Isaac Hayes, Led Zeppelin, the Staples Singers, and Bob Dylan, and Royal Studios, where Al Green, Ann Peebles, John Mayer, and Bruno Mars have recorded hits.

Lina Beach ’23 is the studio manager and engineer for the Curb Institute and was introduced to Royal Studios when Curb Fellows recorded a cover of “America the Beautiful” with Grammy-winning blues musician (and 2014 Curb Visiting Scholar in the Arts) Bobby Rush, which was released in 2021.

Established in 1957, Willie Mitchell’s Royal Studios is one of the oldest perpetually operated recording studios in the world, containing rare vintage machines as well as the latest digital equipment. Lawrence “Boo” Mitchell, the son of original producer and legend Willie Mitchell, manages the studio. Last spring, Beach—who sings and play the guitar, bass, and piano—was hired to get footage from studio sessions and run the social media pages at Royal and watched as Boo Mitchell engineered and produced artists. She began to study the engineering side of music, and also began writing songs. Beach showed one to Mitchell, who encouraged her to write more. In the spring of 2022, she applied for and was accepted in the Rhodes Institute for Regional Studies, a summer program that allows students to pursue research and creative projects through the lens of Memphis and the Mid-South area. Now, the music major is cutting her debut album at Royal.

“I had these songs I’ve been working on for about a year, and once I realized there was a Rhodes summer program that could help with expenses and put structure around this huge project while working alongside a cohort of awesome professors and students, I jumped at the idea,”

says Beach, who also asked Mitchell if he would produce her album.

“He responded saying that he’d be happy to produce a record for me. That blew me away, and I realized the power of an ask. A few of my songs were soulful, and although the idea seemed incredulous at the time, I asked him if there was any chance Hi Rhythm could play with me. Next thing I know I’m in the studio with these legends. It’s been a whirlwind. I’ve had experiences I never would’ve dreamed of, and I’m so thankful for everything and everyone that has made this possible.”

Bringing Music Back to Elvis’ First Home

In its feature of Rhodes’ Mike Curb Institute for Music , Billboard also mentions the Audubon Sessions, which is a student-produced concert series held at 1034 Audubon Drive, Elvis Presley’s first purchased home in Memphis. Although Elvis only resided in the Audubon House for 13 months, it was there that he recorded legendary hits such as “Hound Dog” and “Don’t Be Cruel,” began making movies, and rose to national stardom.

When the home went on the market in 2006, the Mike Curb Family Foundation bought the house and established it as part of the Curb Institute. The house originally was used as a reception hall and meeting place

John Bass, director of the Mike Curb Institute for Music

for musical minds until 2013, when the first Rhodessponsored concerts, which came to be known as the Audubon Sessions, were held. These concerts were an instant hit, hosting both local and national artists, including singers Rosanne Cash and Valerie June, Bobby Rush, jazz saxophonist Charles Lloyd, and hiphop artist PreauXX.

In 2017, disaster struck as the Audubon House suffered first floods from frozen pipes and then major fire damage. The Audubon Sessions ground to a halt and the house remained largely unoccupied until the summer of 2022. Jackson Hendrix ’24, a computer science and media studies double major, had heard countless stories of the success of the concerts and applied to the Rhodes Institute for Regional Studies— just as Beach had done—to pursue as his project a revival and documentation of the series.

The collaborative nature of the Audubon Sessions made their comeback in the short eight weeks of the Rhodes Institute a daunting goal. Hendrix started small, with Bass and Dr. Charles Hughes, director of the Lynne and Henry Turley Memphis Center, as performers and the production crew in attendance. The concert and video shoot to document the production process were a success, but it became clear that to rekindle the musical magic of the original Audubon Sessions, he would have to upscale the operation. His next session was triple the size of the previous one, including an actual audience.

Hendrix continues to lead the video team for the Curb Institute and plans to help keep the Audubon Sessions going as well as foster a connection between Rhodes students and Memphis music.

Hannah-Elsie Meit ’25 contributed to this story.

Rhodes College Choral Groups Experience Universal Power of Music on Overseas Tour

“I think one of the most beautiful things about music is that it transcends language barriers and creates emotions that words cannot do justice,” says Owen Lubinski ’23, a neuroscience major and member of the Rhodes Singers. “Although we had no idea the many languages our audiences spoke, or what a concert meant to them individually, by the end of each concert, we shared a bond with each audience member that only music can create.”

Under the direction of Dr. William Skoog, director of choral activities at Rhodes, and collaborative pianist/ organist Dr. Dennis Janzer, Lubinski and 34 of his fellow Rhodes Singers and Chamber Singers embarked on an international choir tour May 16-24. The tour included a recital at Thomaskirche and a concert performance at St. Nikolai Church in Leipzig, Germany; a recital in Dvorak Hall in Prague, Czech Republic; and concert performances at St. Nicholas Church and St. Salvator Church in Prague, Czech Republic.

In addition, four members from the Rhodes Class of 2022 who studied advanced conducting—Carly Jo Goggins, Jacob Thomas, Emily Haas, and Abigail Sweeney—got to take the podium for their European debut. They each conducted a choral piece that they prepared as part of their studies.

Traveling to Berlin, Leipzig, Prague, Terezin, and Cesky Krumlov, the choirs participated in activities broadening their knowledge of the rich history and culture of Central and Eastern Europe. “This experience

Jackson Hendrix ’24

PHOTO BY PRISCILLA FOREMAN ’23

is not able to be produced in a classroom. This connection between the outside world and what I do at Rhodes was a wonderful experience and will continue to have an effect on my education, as it was one of a kind,” says English major Megan Patterson ’24.

“We spent the entire semester preparing our musical program for this tour. I absolutely believe that this trip connected the classroom experience to the countries and cultures we were fortunate enough to visit,” adds Owen Traw ’24.

The choirs performed in beautifully historic cathedrals and churches to packed houses of enthusiastic audiences, whose appreciation demanded encores. Immediately following their first performance in Thomaskirche, students were stopped by a woman from England who came to the concert by mere chance. Moved by the music, she was sobbing as she spoke.

Because of that experience, Patterson says, “Although I have always known that music was capable of evoking strong emotions. I finally understood just how powerful beautiful music is to someone.”

Scan

https://youtu.be/VBmEhjsTcBs

the QR code to watch the Rhodes Singers performing “Hear My Prayer” by Moses Hogan at the St. Vitus Cathedral (Katedrála Svatého Víta) in Prague.

The Rhodes Singers perform at St. Nicolas Church, Old Town, Prague

Mock Trial

to Host National Championship, Celebrates 35th Year

Not all colleges get to hold a national championship in their city, but Rhodes will get that chance April 14-16 when it hosts the American Mock Trial Association (AMTA) National Championship. The three-day tournament will bring to Memphis the top

48 teams in the country—from about 700 teams that began the season—and is the crowning event of the American Mock Trial Association’s season, after countless hours of practices and numerous rounds of competition.

Local judges and attorneys and Rhodes alumni practicing in the field of law will be invited to judge the competition, which will be held in the Judge D’Army Bailey and Criminal Justice courthouses in Memphis. This is the second time Rhodes has hosted the championship, after having done so in 2010—and, to top it off, this year is the program’s 35th anniversary. Emeritus Professor of Political Science Marcus Pohlmann formed Rhodes’ first mock trial team in 1987. In a 2018 Rhodes magazine article, Pohlmann said, “One

day, I got a postcard saying ‘This is the third year of the American Political Science Association’s national mock trial tournament at Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa. Is your college interested in sending a team?’ I went into my con law class and picked six students, and we got funding from the college for transportation.” The group had a quick rules session with Rhodes alumnus and attorney Mike Cody ’58 and went to Des Moines.

Pohlmann admits the team had some learning to do in the early days, but Rhodes Mock Trial has emerged as a top contender.

“In its 35 years, Rhodes has been in nine national championship rounds, more than any team in AMTA history and has won four national championship titles.

Rhodes was the 2019 runner-up,” says Anna Eldridge ’02, who now directs Rhodes’ mock trial program. “We have a unique perspective on hosting this event because we have seen the activity grow and evolve over the past three decades. We understand what teams coming to nationals are looking for because we have been there.”

“I competed in mock trial all through high school. College mock trial was the number one decision factor in my application process, and I only applied to schools with top mock trial programs,” says senior English major Veda Krumpe, who plans to attend law school. “When I visited Rhodes my senior year of high school, Anna invited me to observe an A-team practice. It was a roundtable strategy meeting. It was different than so many of the other practices I had observed, which were typically instruction style, where all the ideas were coming from a few choice people . . . It’s been a few years. There’s been a lot of roundtable discussions. Now I’m the A-team captain of the best program in the country. I’m excited to lead my team as captain, but I’m mostly excited to learn from them.”

In 2016, Rhodes established a weeklong Mock Trial Academy for high school students from across the country to receive intensive advocacy training by Rhodes faculty, students, and alumni. Students assume the roles of attorney, plaintiff, defendant, and witness in the Rhodes mock trial courtroom on campus. In addition, they learn constitutional laws related to the judicial system and how to effectively present an argument. On the last day of the academy, students perform a full trial open to invited guests.

“This year [Summer 2022] was our largest academy group to date. Every year I am blown away by the talent of these high school students, and this year was no exception,” says Eldridge. “We are looking for ways to include the students who live in Memphis in the national tournament.

“For the national tournament, we also know how important it is for teams to have judges who represent the diverse, intelligent, and competitive community that make up the mock trial circuit, and we are excited to have our alumni and local bar associations support us in this goal. We also are fortunate to have such a great relationship with the Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law at The University of Memphis. They have been our partner and sponsor for more than a decade, and

the championship trial will be hosted in their beautiful historic courtroom.”

Samuel Frank, a junior history major and co-captain of the mock trial A team, points to the commitment and dedication of competitors, alumni, administrators, and coaches as reasons why the Rhodes program stands out. “Mock trial has been an integral part of my college experience academically and socially. The program has allowed me to gain hands-on experience with legal professionals and apply those skills to competitions,” he says. “We rely on dedicated former competitors who carve time out of their lives to come back and coach. Rather than auditioning and cutting freshmen, the Rhodes coaching staff encourages students with no mock trial experience to try it out, and they support them along the way.”

Although Rhodes does not have a formal major in law, it does offer courses across a variety of majors to prepare students interested in pursuing a postgraduate legal education. Prelaw advising is available and includes assistance with course selection, law school admissions test preparation, and planning for panels from admissions counselors and lawyers.

Eldridge serves as the college’s pre-law advisor and says that 100 percent of Rhodes students who seek pre-law advising support get admitted to law school. “Right now, we have students either recently graduated from, attending, or about to start at Harvard, Duke, UNC, Wash U, UCLA, UVA, Tulane, and Texas, among many outstanding institutions. Among our former mock trial students who just finished their first year of law school, we have two who won their 1L oral advocacy competitions, another who was a semifinalist, two more who won their class competitions, and another place in the top eight in hers. Several made law review and earned top marks in their introductory classes. Over and over, I hear from alumni who credit the skills they learned at Rhodes for making them a more successful law student.

“We are absolutely calling on all alumni to mark their calendars to come to Memphis for the nationals. We plan to honor Mark Pohlmann’s legacy by naming one of the divisions in his honor, and we would love to see his former mockers come out to celebrate this program and include events tailored to that over the weekend.”

“In its 35 years, Rhodes has been in nine national championship rounds, more than any team in AMTA history and has won four national championship titles.”

—Anna Eldridge ’02

a new president for a new era

President Jennifer Collins’ path to Rhodes has combined a traditional road to a college presidency with a decidedly di erent resume that includes a law degree from Harvard Law School, private law practice before joining the U.S. Department of Justice O ice of Legal Counsel, and eight years as an Assistant United States Attorney in the District of Columbia where she prosecuted homicide cases. She then joined the faculty at Wake Forest University, rising to vice provost, before heading to Southern Methodist University where she served as the Judge James Noel Dean and professor of law. During her eight years at SMU, she raised more than $50 million, launched three new academic centers, opened legal clinics, and supported more than 800 domestic and international students. We asked President Collins how her background has prepared her for her new role at Rhodes, her goals for the college, and what she has enjoyed most about her move to Memphis.

You hit the ground running when you arrived in the summer. What was your first priority?

My fi rst priority was to listen and learn. Rhodes is an incredible community with a rich history and deeply held traditions and values. It was important to me to meet with as many students, staff, faculty, community partners, and alumni as I possibly could. ese conversations are continuing and ongoing. Having the chance to truly immerse myself in this community and learn about all the things that make Rhodes special has been wonderful.

You’ve spent a lot of time getting to know our students. What has most impressed you?

Our student body is brilliant, talented, diverse, interesting, and compassionate. ey have real passion for the education they are getting in the classroom and for the service and extracurricular opportunities outside the classroom. I have truly enjoyed getting to know them.

ey give me hope. at’s a cliché thing to say, but looking at the young people at Rhodes, I know they are going to do amazing things upon graduation.

You’ve also spent a great deal of time with faculty. What are your takeaways from those visits?

One of the most remarkable things about our faculty is that they are not only committed, talented teachers and mentors, they are also doing meaningful, impactful research outside the classroom. is is exciting for two reasons. It gives students the opportunity to get involved in that research and have truly high-impact learning experiences. In addition, the faculty is independently producing insightful knowledge, creative activity, and scientific discoveries to share with the world.

For example, two of our chemistry professors were just awarded a $300,000-plus grant from the National Science Foundation – that is so impressive. Hearing about the terrific work they are doing in their departments and the ways in which they contribute to our students’ education has been very rewarding.

What is your vision for Rhodes College?

I want to be clear that I think it is important to have a collaborative vision, and I’ve only been here a short time. e vision is continuing to develop as I receive input from the community.

I think that Rhodes is an extraordinary model of the very best of the liberal arts education. I hope to increase our national and international recognition as such. To do that, we have to think about the ways we tell our story. Are we telling our story in the most compelling and effective way that we possibly can? at is key to attracting prospective students and maintaining community and alumni engagement. Since I arrived, I’ve been greatly impressed by the hopes and ambitions of our students, faculty, and staff. We have big dreams for ourselves, and we need to be sure we have the tools available to accomplish them. Generating additional resources through the launch of a new capital campaign is a big part of my vision.

I want to increase our focus on diversity, equity, access, inclusion, and belonging across campus. Vital work has been done already, and continuing the effort is a critically important facet of our work together at the college.

Continuing to strengthen and deepen our relationship with the city of Memphis is another significant focus. We have the extraordinary good fortune to be a liberal arts college in a major city. I want to take this opportunity to think about how we truly use that gift to make Rhodes a distinctive liberal arts experience. It also gives us the obligation to think about how we can be a good partner to the city. Rhodes has done terrific work in that regard, and I look forward to continuing it.

Do you plan to revise the college’s strategic plan? If so, in what way?

We did enter into the plan before COVID-19, so I think it is essential that we take a look at it to make sure it reflects how higher education has changed. e pandemic changed the higher education experience in profound ways. For example, we were certainly seeing increased concerns about student mental health before COVID. ose have only heightened in the wake of the pandemic, and frankly, faculty and staff mental health is a concern as well. We need to ensure that we are paying enough attention in the strategic plan to the well-being of our entire community.

inking about how we retain talent in light of the “great resignation” will be an important focus in an increasingly competitive marketplace.

e people who put the strategic plan together did a terri c job, so I certainly don’t think we will see any wholesale revision. We want to honor and respect the extremely diligent work that went into it. But we do want to make sure that we have fully accounted for the realities of higher education post-COVID.

Rhodes is often named one of the most beautiful campuses in the nation. What do you think makes it special?

e soaring nature and consistency of the architecture is very remarkable. One of my great joys is coming into my o ce in the morning – my breath is taken away by the stained-glass windows. It is such a beautiful and unique facet of our campus. Rhodes has been so committed to maintaining that architecture and so thoughtful about keeping the campus connected. We have a talented architect that has been instrumental in helping us maintain the consistency.

I think it is absolutely one of the most beautiful campuses I’ve ever seen. It is a joy to walk on the grounds every day. But I want to emphasize that I think the most beautiful part of the Rhodes experience is what takes place inside our buildings – the incredible relationships our students form with faculty and with each other. Rhodes graduates consistently tell me the college changed their lives, and that is because of the fantastic experience our hardworking faculty and sta strive to provide every day.

You have a very diverse background for a college president. Thinking about that background, what has most prepared you to step into your role as president?

I’ve been immeasurably blessed in my career to have a number of di erent work experiences. Being a faculty member and a scholar deeply committed to my teaching and research hopefully enables

me to support faculty. When I was at Wake Forest, I had the chance to move into administration and work very closely with undergraduate students and think about how to improve the student experience. When I got to SMU, I had the opportunity, in essence, to run the equivalent of a small college and focus on fundraising, alumni relations, and many of the externally facing parts of the job. e most unusual part of my background is that not only was I a practicing lawyer for 10 years, I worked primarily as an Assistant United States Attorney in Washington, D.C., where I focused on homicide cases.

I would say my somewhat unusual background serves me well in two ways. One, my time in government service taught me to be absolutely un appable in a crisis. You are dealing with the worst moments in people’s lives, whether it is the victim’s family, the witnesses, or the defendant’s family. You have to be the steadying hand during their journey through the criminal justice system. It de nitely helps you keep things in perspective.

Two, my experience has taught me to be a good storyteller. To be a college president or academic leader, you have to be able to tell the college’s story in a compelling, convincing, and exciting way. I don’t think there is any better preparation for doing that than having to stand in front of 12 citizens who couldn’t gure out how to get out of jury duty and who are evaluating the merits of a really important criminal case. You must develop the ability to convey information in a compelling and accessible way. I think that ability has served me very well.

You’ve had some time to get to know Memphis. What have you enjoyed most about the city since you arrived? My husband and I are foodies and we

have very much enjoyed the wonderful restaurant scene and sampling di erent dishes. I’m also a big music fan and we’ve appreciated the opportunity to visit some of Memphis’ outstanding musical venues. Of course, we’ve loved cheering our Lynx sports teams.

What are the benefits of Rhodes being in a city the size of Memphis, and what should that partnership look like?

A city the size of Memphis gives students many pathways to internships and externships. A student who wants to be a veterinarian may be able to intern at the Memphis Zoo, and another interested in a medical career can do high-level, impactful research at St. Jude. For students with a heart for service, our location gives them the chance to engage in community service. Rhodes can provide our students with incredible opportunities that aren’t available at schools that don’t have the same good fortune to be located in a city like Memphis.

I think it is essential for us to be a partner to the city of Memphis and carefully listen to what the community needs and wants from us, rather than us parachuting in with our own set of goals in mind. We need to learn from our community partners, who are out there doing the work every day.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

It has been a joy and an honor to have the opportunity to be a part of this community. We are hitting the road this year and I’m so excited to meet with our alumni all across the country and hear their experiences with Rhodes, what they loved, and what their hopes are for the institution going forward. I’m eagerly anticipating the conversations and joining with the community to move Rhodes forward together.

VETERAN ADDITIONS LOOK TO ADVANCE RHODES

Linda Bonnin joined the Rhodes senior leadership team as vice president for marketing and communications last July, bringing with her 26 years of higher education experience across four universities. She began her career as a newspaper journalist and migrated into government and corporate communications work before finding her true calling in 1997.

“Higher ed has been my passion ever since,” she said. “What began as a job very quickly turned into my life’s work, and I have never looked back.”

After 18 years at The University of Memphis, the last three as vice president, she left in 2014 to take a vice president’s role at Louisiana State University. A year later she moved to Tuscaloosa, AL, at the invitation of LSU’s provost when he was named president of The University of Alabama.

“Memphis is home, and I never thought I’d leave, but the prospect for professional growth led me to take a leap of faith and terrific opportunities emerged,” she says.

As vice president at Alabama, she created a branding campaign—Where Legends Are Made—that won more than 70 industry awards and was named the number one advertising campaign internationally in the CASE Circle of Excellence Awards in 2019. Seven years later, and three years after her departure for Abilene Christian University, it is still impacting enrollment and philanthropy growth at UA.

“I had never worked at a private college. I knew it would present unique challenges and opportunities, so I moved to Texas. Three weeks later COVID upended all our lives, and my husband passed away

unexpectedly after a devastating cancer diagnosis. That led to a strong desire to come home this year,” she says. “I feel like I’ve come full circle. I’m honored to be back in the city I love, doing the work I love at Rhodes.”

At the top of her list is raising Rhodes’ national profile by building a strong brand.

“Winning awards is never the goal. It is to authentically tell the college’s story in such a powerful way that it draws the most talented students and faculty and inspires alumni and others to support Rhodes. That’s what excites me.”

Gil Villanueva, who also joined the senior leadership team last July as vice president for enrollment, is what you would call a college admission lifer, having begun his career at Bucknell University as an admission counselor. Villanueva credits his longevity in the field to his experiences as a professional, parent, and immigrant student.

“Working in this field allows me to give back. I understand the value of higher education in this country and how it lifts communities,” Villanueva says. “It’s one of the reasons I do what I do.”

Villanueva’s student- and community-centered philosophy has helped him be an impactful leader on the national level as the former president and chair of the Board of Directors for The Common Application—the third consecutive Rhodes vice president of enrollment to serve in that prominent role—and member of The College Board’s Guidance and Admissions Assembly Council. Villanueva’s extensive experience includes managing several large

recruitment territories and enrollment e orts at the University of Richmond, Brandeis University, Bucknell University, and Harvey Mudd College, where multicultural and international student applications increased dramatically under his leadership.

“It takes a whole campus community to recruit academically talented students,” says Villanueva. “For me to have been a part of that work is a point of pride.”

Villanueva brings this mission-driven philosophy to Rhodes, where he hopes to raise the college’s national pro le through strong student recruitment in Memphis and nationwide.

“At the top of my list is building a nity for Rhodes College,” says Villanueva. “You do that by growing the applicant pool with students who will thrive here at the college. We do an excellent job helping young people realize their educational and professional aspirations, and I want to help my colleagues all over campus deliver for our students.”

A Familiar Face Returns

Anne Gaudet Beard ’84 has returned to her alma mater to serve as chief of sta to President Collins. She comes to Rhodes from Southern Methodist University, where she served as director of development for the university’s Dedman School of Law. Her prior experience in higher ed includes serving as director of development and alumni relations and director of corporate relations at e University of Texas at Dallas and director of marketing and public relations at e Alcuin School in Dallas.

“I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to return to a place I care about deeply and work alongside President Jennifer Collins and the talented faculty and sta ,” says Beard. “I am excited about all the future holds for Rhodes College and grateful to be a part of it.”

RHODES COLLEGE BOARD OF TRUSTEES

Deborah Legg Craddock ’80, Chair, BA. Partner, Southeastern Asset Management (Memphis, TN)

Meri Armour P’16, MSN/MBA.

Retired. President, Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital (Rocky River, OH)

John H. Bryan, III ’83, P’24, BA. President, Savannah Food Company (Nashville, TN)

Chris Cardwell ’94, BA, JD. Attorney, Gullett Sanford Robinson and Martin (Nashville, TN)

Darrell Cobbins ’97, BA. President, CEO, Universal Commercial Real Estate (Memphis, TN)

Meg omas Crosby, BA. Principal, PeopleCap Advisors; Operating Partner, SSM Partners (Memphis, TN)

James R. Downing, MD. President and Chief Executive O cer, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital (Memphis, TN)

Maria Farahani P’13, BA. Co-owner of Fara Co ee and Co-founder of Fara Foundation (Austin, TX)

Daniel B. Hatzenbuehler ’71, BA, JD. Retired. Chairman/CEO, E. Ritter and Company (Pittsboro, NC)

Sally Jones Heinz ’81, BA, MA. Executive Director of the Metropolitan Inter-Faith Association.- (Memphis, TN)

Frances C. Henkel ’79, BA, MBA. Managing Director, J.P. Morgan (Chicago, IL)

Wilton D. “Chick” Hill, BS. Retired. Owner, Davidson Hotel Company (Memphis, TN)

R. Davis Howe ’83, BA. Managing Director and CEO, Wolf River Capital LLC (Memphis, TN)

Susan Logan Hu man ’83, P’19, BA, CFA. Principal and Chief Investment O cer of Reliant Investment Management (Piperton, TN)

Elizabeth Hurley ’84, BA, MA. Chief Development O cer, Lyric Opera of Chicago (Chicago, IL)

Marie Louise I. Kinder P’25, BBA, MBA. (Houston, TX)

Marcus Kimbrough ’90, BA, MBA. Vice President, Partnerships & Advancement with Levine Museum of the New South (Charlotte, NC)

Steven R. Laino P’11, P’15, BA, JD, LLM. Retired. Principal-in-Charge, KPMG LLP’s Complex Transactions Group (McLean, VA)

William J. Michaelcheck ’69, BA, MBA. Founder/co-CIO, Mariner Investment Group, LLC (New York, NY)

Ryan D. Mire ’93, P’23, BS, MD. Physician, St. omas Hospital (Franklin, TN)

Johnny B. Moore, Jr. ’88, BA. Regional President, Truist (Memphis, TN)

Elizabeth Roe Pearce ’91, BA, MBA. Chief Development O cer, e Lovett School (Atlanta, GA)

Gregory A. Peters ’82, P’19, BA. President & CEO, Zilliant Inc (Austin, TX)

Charles Robertson ’65, BS, PhD. Retired. Chief Technical Consultant,Founder, NanoDrop Technologies, LLC (Wilmington, DE)

Josh D. Solomon’00, BA.

Senior Vice President, Merrill Private Wealth Management (Atlanta, GA )

FACULTY-ELECTED TRUSTEES

Erin Harmon, MFA.

Associate Professor of Art, Rhodes College (Memphis, TN)

Geo rey Maddox, PhD.

Associate Professor and Chair of Psychology, Rhodes College (Memphis, TN)

Mary E. Miller, PhD.

Professor of Biology, Rhodes College (Memphis, TN)

STUDENT-ELECTED TRUSTEES

David Caddle ’23 (Jackson, MS)

Priscilla Foreman ’23 (White Hall, AR)

Mallory Mire ’23 (Nashville, TN)

For the first time, a father-daughter duo are sitting members of the college’s Board of Trustees. Ryan Mire ’93 and daughter Mallory Mire ’23 made history following Mallory’s admission to the board as a student trustee.

Homecoming 2022

A little rain wasn’t enough to dampen the spirits of our students and alumni during Homecoming Weekend—or to stop Rhodes football from winning the Orgill Cup (yet again!) in our age-old rivalry with Sewanee!

A gathering of BSA Distinguished Alumni Award winners

2022 Rhodes Royalty Priscilla Foreman ’23 and Mallory Mire ’23

Class of ’17 Reunion

Class of ’12 Reunion

Class of ’72 Reunion

Class of ’62 Reunion

Class of ’67 Reunion

Class of ’77 Reunion

Class of ’82 Reunion

Class of ’87 Reunion

HEALTH PROFESSIONS BOUND

As Rhodes’ strong Health Professions Advising program continues to grow, students are finding success across a wide range of post-graduate programs.

BY MATTHEW HARRIS ‘20

When considering Rhodes, prospective students are often drawn to the campus for its beautiful Collegiate Gothic architecture, inclusive community, or the opportunity for a liberal arts education in a city setting. But for alumna Ashley Lavender ’21, who transferred to Rhodes from Vanderbilt University, it was the focus and access to pre-veterinary studies.

“I was unhappy at Vanderbilt. I did not feel supported and the environment there felt more competitive versus collaborative,” says Lavender. “When I started looking at transferring, I was looking for a smaller school where people were more interested in helping each other out versus knocking each other down. I visited and I loved the campus. I loved being in the city and since

“We’re really a clearinghouse for all things pre-health. That’s how we think of ourselves. We work with prospective students, current students, and alumni, partnering with them to help them on their journey and reach their goals,” says Director of Health Professions Advising Jessica Kelso. “We do that by providing one-on-one advising, a lot of programming opportunities and, within those programming opportunities, unique experiences or internships that make them competitive on post-graduate applications. We also focus on the reflective piece. It’s important to talk to students about courses that they need to take, but also help them navigate the prehealth advising process.”

Over the last four years, Rhodes had 283

Throughout their time in the Health Professions Advising program, students work hand- in-hand with their advisors. Advising begins at Open Rhodes, the college’s orientation for admitted students, where advisors and students can meet and begin planning for the first-year students’ inaugural semester.

“HPA was one of the first things that I got involved with at Rhodes after transferring. I was excited about it because my previous school didn’t have a pre-veterinary advisor, only pre-medical,” says Lavender. “When I went to meetings and asked a question about something related to veterinary school, I would watch them Google it in front of me.” When I came to Rhodes and heard about the work the HPA staff does,

I wanted to go to vet school, it was exciting for me that Rhodes was right across from the Memphis Zoo, especially when my tour guide mentioned that there were opportunities there for research.”

Lavender represents the growing number of students coming to Rhodes for prehealth studies. These students benefit from Rhodes’ Health Professions Advising (HPA) program, which strives to help students succeed in post-graduate studies and health professions. The office, which has three full-time advisors, works with about 30 percent of the Rhodes student body and with alumni, providing support and working closely with Career Services staff to place students into internships and post-graduate positions that pertain to their medical interests.

students accepted into post-graduate health programs with an overall acceptance rate of approximately 74 percent. While Rhodes’ high acceptance rates into medical schools are well known, the college has also excelled in enrolling students into specialty post-graduate health programs. Rhodes graduates boasted a 78 percent acceptance rate into dental programs, an 80 percent acceptance rate into optometry programs, and a 91 percent acceptance rate into pharmacy programs. Most impressively, Rhodes students had a 75 percent acceptance rate into veterinary programs and a 90 percent acceptance rate into physical therapy programs, which nationally have between 10-15 percent and 18 percent acceptance rates, respectively.

I was super excited. I set up an individual meeting with Dr. Alan Jaslow (former prevet advisor). It was reassuring because he knew things about vet school. It made me feel more comfortable with my decision.” For students like Jillian Gray ’23, who plans to attend dentistry school, the meetings during Open Rhodes served as a great first impression and helped her understand what was in store for her next four years at Rhodes.

“I remember how adamant the HPA advisors were about meeting with us during our first year and just making sure that you knew what was expected. They did a good job of giving new students an idea of what needed to be done if you were interested in pursuing a job in healthcare professions,”

“We’re really a clearinghouse for all things pre-health. That’s how we think of ourselves. We work with prospective students, current students, and alumni, partnering with them to help them on their journey and reach their goals.”

— Jessica Kelso Director, Health Professions Advising

says Gray. “We would have group meetings and individual meetings where they would focus on your personal goals to make sure you were on the right trajectory.”

The role of HPA advisors doesn’t end with putting students on the right track—they remain an active part of students’ journeys throughout their years at Rhodes. As students go through the program, their experience becomes more tailored to their needs as advisors adapt to their individual strengths and weaknesses. The goal of HPA is to provide direct support to students and equip them with the skills and experience to be successful in post-undergraduate studies.

“During my junior year and senior year, the advice has been more personalized and focused. Last year I met with my advisor a lot and she helped me know what the next steps were in the application process. I have family in dentistry, so it wasn’t all foreign to me, but she made me understand exactly what I needed to do,” says Gray. “She helped me understand what I should expect moving forward in the process, to organize my schedule for studying for the Dental Admissions Test, and plan when the best time would be to take the test. Overall, the HPA advisors are very transparent, helpful, and just help lead you in the right direction for what you want to do.”

The HPA process also has systems in place for students that come in wanting to go down the pre-medical path but end up focused on different specialties. Alumna Genevieve Tuznik ’22 came to Rhodes intent on medical

school, but after working closely with local nonprofit Memphis Animal Services through the Bonner Scholarship for Service program instead pivoted to pre-veterinary studies.

“Through Bonner and working at Memphis Animal Services, I got to experience firsthand working with animals and got exposure to the medical side of things while helping around their clinic. At the same time, I was shadowing a pediatrician and volunteering at a cancer clinic,” says Tuznik. “Over time, I felt that what I was doing at Memphis Animal Services and what I was seeing there felt more impactful and had a bigger impact on me.”

When Tuznik reached out to her advisor to inquire about changing her focus to pre-veterinary studies, she was pleasantly surprised at the response and support she received.

“I spoke with her about what I should do next, and she was very supportive. She said something along the lines of ‘Congratulations, we’re glad that you found out what you want to do, and let’s move you to where you need to be,’ and put me in contact with Dr. Jaslow, who was the pre-veterinary advisor at the time. He started working on setting expectations and standards for pre-veterinary and what it would look like.”

Alumnus Krish Muthiah ’21 shared a similar experience with Tuznik. Muthiah, who also came to Rhodes on the pre-medical track, was set to begin his applications to medical schools before he decided to switch to pre-optometry studies.

“I was fully committed to the pre-med track. I had taken the MCAT prep course after they started offering it and had even taken the MCAT itself. I was loading up on science courses, which ended up being prerequisites for optometry school,” says Muthiah.

Despite changing his focus halfway through his junior year, Muthiah was able to use the credits and the experiences from the Health Professions advisors to smoothly transition into the optometry field. Muthiah, who now attends the Southern College of Optometry, also credited Rhodes with helping prepare his mindset for post-graduate classes.

“During my first year at Southern College of Optometry, I had six classes and pretty much all six of those classes in some way, shape, or form could relate to something I learned at Rhodes,” says Muthiah. “It helped me with taking on the doctor mindset, especially when I moved into upper-level courses.”

The student-driven nature of the HPA program and of Rhodes itself often causes students to form close relationships with their advisors, in which students feel comfortable asking for support. As students’ progress through the pre-health pipeline and their needs change, advisors shift roles to what is needed most by their students.

Genevieve Tuznik ’22 came to Rhodes intent on medical school, but after working with Memphis Animal Services through the Bonner Scholarship for Service program pivoted to pre-veterinary studies.

PRE-HEALTH PROGRAMS ACCEPTANCE RATES

(most recent statistics)

Over the last four years, Rhodes had 283 students accepted into post-graduate health programs with an overall acceptance rate of approximately 74 percent.

“We know that a student who comes in as a rst-year is going to be a di erent person by the time they get ready to apply, and by the time they’re graduating and entering professional school. We want them to document that growth and to have all these things to look back on when they begin to apply, so we help facilitate that to make their applications as strong as possible,” says Kelso.

ough a large part of the HPA program is centered around getting students ready for post-graduate studies, advisors also work to empower students to take the initiative and advocate for their own needs.

“ e advisors do not say, ‘You have to do these things, you have to come to these meetings.’ It’s very much up to that individual student, but they do their best to make sure that they’re very accessible people. It was amazingly easy to make meetings or ask for assistance,” says Tuznik. “Personally, I got

to a point where I only needed help with my essays, so they were just reading over my essays and giving me feedback. We did that over and over again until we were all satis ed, and it was never an issue despite the number of times I asked.”

One large advantage that Rhodes students can leverage when applying to post-graduate schools is the direct access to research opportunities and high-tech modern equipment available to them as undergraduates. Unlike some institutions, Rhodes does not have a mandatory waiting period for students to begin conducting undergraduate research, meaning that students can get valuable experience much earlier than their peers. Rhodes’ location in the city also means that partnerships with St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, e Memphis Zoo, and various other health groups around Memphis are easily accessible to students.

“I was impressed by the amount of access to the equipment we had as students. Friends and colleagues that I talked to who went to larger colleges were stunned that we had up-to-date equipment that was open to student use under supervision,” says Muthiah. “Many of them had their rst experience with medical equipment in their post-graduate studies.”

HPA’s impact on campus and among post-graduate students is what keeps Kelso excited about the future.

“I am continually blown away by how bright, hardworking, and enthusiastic our students are. To get to come in and develop relationships with them, hear what motivates them, see what they are doing out in the community, and what they hope to do in the future, is inspiring. I really love what I do.”

A Festival Renaissance

lthough it’s not always celebrated, the Renaissance never goes out of style. e original Renaissance Festival at Rhodes was the brainchild of George “Punch” Shaw ’74 and featured jousting, a royal court, Shakespeare, fencing, music, and Lady Godiva on her horse. It quickly became an annual event, but with the passing of time faded into history. at changed last spring, when several student organizations came together to reboot the event as the Renaissance Faire and once again there was fencing, music, royalty—and horses—in Oak Alley.

PHOTO BY JACKSON HENDRIX ’24

David Rupke Part of Team Making Galactic Discoveries

Dr. David Rupke is the software lead for an international collaboration of astronomers and astrophysicists studying distant quasars with NASA’s new fl agship observatory, the James Webb Space Telescope.

e James Webb Space Telescope, which launched on Dec. 25, 2021, and is the successor to NASA’s Hubble telescope, is an international partnership between NASA, the European Space Agency, and the Canadian Space Agency.

Incredibly luminous and rare, quasars are found in the centers of some galaxies and powered by gas spiraling at high velocity into a supermassive black hole. Quasars can be so bright that they outshine their host galaxies, and Rupke has been leading the effort to develop special software to study the quasar itself, the fainter host galaxy, and the even fainter gas flowing out from the host. ree Rhodes students in his lab—Hui Xian Grace Lim ’23, Lillian Whitesell ’23, and Ryan McCrory ’25—have contributed to the software.

In October, the European Space Agency announced a surprising discovery made by the scientists using the telescope: “Webb’s spectroscopic capabilities, combined with its infrared sensitivity, have uncovered a cluster of massive galaxies in the process of formation around an extremely red quasar. e result will expand our understanding of how galaxies in the early Universe coalesced into the cosmic web we see today.”

“ e exciting part of a new scientific tool, especially one as special as Webb, is its potential to reveal the unexpected,” says Rupke. “Webb certainly lived up to that potential in this case. I’m grateful that my students and I have been able to participate in that process of discovery.”

Clockwise from top: Dr. David Rupke; the engineering model of the RHOK-SAT satellite, in testing phase; the James Webb Space Telescope.

RHOK-SAT

at’s not all the NASA news at Rhodes. In 2021, a Rhodes College team learned that a proposal for a four-inch cube satellite of their own design, dubbed RHOK-SAT, was accepted to be own aboard a NASA-sponsored rocket. Now the team is getting the satellite ready for launch into space by late 2024, and have been practicing how they will communicate with it by tracking current satellites in space using a ground station built on campus. e project began in 2019 after Dr. Charles Robertson Jr. ’65 encouraged Rhodes to develop a proposal to be submitted to NASA’s CubeSat Launch Initiative and generously provided funding for the project.

RHOK-SAT’s experiment is to investigate the hardiness and performance of new solar cell materials that may someday power spacecraft in orbits far from the Sun. ese new solar cells are being investigated by e University of Oklahoma—ergo, the name RHOK-SAT, demonstrating the collaboration between Rhodes and Oklahoma. e team will be exploring how the cells hold up under solar radiation and the overall environment of space and if this type of cell material shows promise for future lunar and planetary missions.

e idea to test the space hardiness of novel solar cells for lunar and planetary missions came from students. Students have also been involved in writing software to collect and store data from RHOK-SAT and for the satellite to monitor the charge of its own battery and have designed and built the experimental hardware.

Professors Ann Viano, Brent Ho meister, Bentley Burnham, and instructional support technician Lanre Obadina of the Department of Physics and professor Phil Kirlin of the Department of Mathematics and Computer Science have served as the project’s faculty advisors. Jose Pastrana ’20 is leading the software team in the production of the ight software and Brad Hensley ’12 is serving as a consultant for the project at large.

Hensley, who is a systems engineer, was also involved in a NASAsimulated mission to Mars during the summer of 2022. For 45 days, he and other crew members lived and worked like astronauts on the Human Exploration Research Analog at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston.

RHOK-SAT will be in orbit for roughly one year and will transmit data to the Rhodes ground station on campus. RHOK-SAT will disintegrate upon re-entry into Earth’s atmosphere, but hopefully it will have provided enough data to bene t future space missions.

Biology

Dr. Larryn Peterson and Dr. Will Eckenho were awarded nearly $400K from the National Science Foundation (NSF) for the project titled “Acquisition of 400 MHz Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) Spectrometer Console and Probe to Bolster Excellence in Undergraduate Research.” Students in the lab of Drs. Roberto de la Salud Bea , Kim Brien , Dana Horgen , and Miguel Mendez Polanco also will be users of the NMR, which is an important tool used by many chemists to infer the structure of molecular compounds.

Rhodes was awarded a more than $600K NSF grant to continue research performed by Drs. Loretta Jackson-Hayes and Terry Hill and students in their labs. The research explores cell growth and division of fungi and has potential to find more e ective antifungal drugs.

Dr. Elaine Frawley received a $300K National Institutes of Health (NIH) Award for microbiology research involving students. The goal of the research is to gain a better understanding of the actions of nitric oxide used by the human immune system as a chemical defense to fight o bacterial infection and how bacteria such as Salmonella can evade these actions. The research has potential to identify new cellular targets for novel antibiotics.

Annie Ouyang ’20 and Kendall Gasner ’20 played important roles in generating preliminary data that made the NIH grant application possible. Their work has been published in the journal Microbiology Spectrum. Data generated by Shehla Yousuf ’19 also was critical in establishing the foundation for the research. Shuang Wu ’23 will be the first student working on the funded project. The grant provides funding for two students per year to work both during the academic year and during the summer.

and chemistry faculty have received major awards totaling more than $2 million for their research involving Rhodes students.

“The exciting part of a new scientific tool, especially one as special as Webb, is its potential to reveal the unexpected.”

—David Rupke

cajunfest

Though the weather hit record lows, students, alumni, and prospective students came out en masse to enjoy great Cajun food and the last home football game of the year!

Many thanks to our army of Cajunfest volunteers!

class notes

CLASS REPORTERS

If you are interested in being a Class Reporter for one of the following years, please contact alumni@rhodes.edu –1956, 1959, 1970, 1975, 1978, 1980, 1986, 2013, 2016, 2020 or 2022.

1957 Mary Frances Files Silitch, silitch@gmail.com

1958 Lorraine Rayburn Abernathy, LAbernathy04@comcast.net

1960 Mary Crouch Rayson, marycrawson@hotmail.com

1961 Harvey Jenkins, whjenkinsjr@gmail.com

1962 Diane McCullough Clark , granddiva@charter.net

1963 Dan Gilchrist, dangil4@bellsouth.net

1964 Mary Lou Quinn McMillan, maryloumc1@comcast.net

1965 Mary McQueen Porter, 2harps1dog@gmail.com

1966 Sammy Ann Primm Marshall, sammyannmarshall@gmail.com

1967 Sam Highsmith, arpenguy@me.com

1968 Drue Thom White, drueboo@aol.com

1969 LouAnne Crawford Cooper, louanne@me.com

1971 Betha Hubbard Gill, bethagill@hotmail.com

1972 Robin McCain, robin@slmr.com

1973 Pamela McNeely William, usafa2@sbcglobal.net

1974 Wendlandt Hasselle, jahlove2222@yahoo.com

1976 Julie Allen Berger, jab0539@gmail.com

Georgia Atkins, atkins.georgia@gmail.com

1977 Jill Fuzy Helmer, jillhelmer25@gmail.com

Bonnie Moore McNeely, bonniemcneely2@gmail.com

1979 Mary Palmer, mpalmerc@comcast.net

1981 Sherri Godi Madden, rhodesalum81@gmail.com

1983 Ted de Villafranca, edevillafranca@gmail.com

1984 Linda Odom, linda.odom@klgates.com

1985 Ann Webb Betty, 11webby@gmail.com

1987 Mimi Swords Fondren, mimifondren@outlook.com

1988 Brooke Glover Emery, brookegemery@gmail.com

1989 Julianne Johnson Paunescu, jpaunescu@yahoo.com

1990 Marci Deshaies Woodmansee, mwoodmansee@gslschool.org

1991 Tracy Courage, tracy_courage@yahoo.com

1992 Sara Hawks Marecki, saramarecki@sbcglobal.net

1993 Wendy Mullins, wendy.mullins@yahoo.com

1994 Judy Brown, judyporterbrown@gmail.com

1995 Sarah Hall Stump, sarahhallstump@icloud.com

1996 Jennifer Larson, larson_jennifer@yahoo.com

1997 Laurea Glusman McAllister, laureag@gmail.com

1998 Susan Meredith Meyers, susanmeyers26.2@gmail.com

1999 Kathryn DeRossitt, kathrynderossitt@yahoo.com

2000 Nicki North Baxley, nickinp@gmail.com

2001 Katy Minten Gray, mkminten@hotmail.com

2002 Shannon Cian, shannoncian@gmail.com

2003 Scott Holmes, holmes.scott@gmail.com

2004 C. Kyle Russ, ckyleruss@yahoo.com

2005 Brandon Couillard (last names: A-M), brandon.couillard@gmail.com

Molly Fitzpatrick (last names N-Z), mhfitz11@hotmail.com

2006 Caroline King Willson, Caroline.king.Willson@gmail.com

2007 Mollie Briskman Montelaro, mollie.montelaro@gmail.com

2008 Madoline Markham, madolinemarkham@gmail.com

2009 Kelsey Griffith, kelsey.dean.griffith@gmail.com

2010 Alexandra Nobel Murry, amnobel@gmail.com

2011 Grace Weil, gracem.weil@gmail.com

2012 Kelly Parry, kparry1211@gmail.com

2014 Matt Washnock, washnockm@gmail.com

2015 Caroline Ponseti, caroline.ponseti@gmail.com

2017 Mason Brown, marymason.brown910@gmail.com

2018 Jessie Robinson, jessierobinson1995@gmail.com

2019 Junior Walters,, jeffreywalters2@gmail.com

1957

Peg Carter has a new great-granchild—a boy, Finley—to join her two great-granddaughters, Eisely and Quinn. ey all live in Denton, TX.

Your class reporter was honored recently by a proclamation for her “steadfast public commitment to the highest principles of public policy and democracy.” e award was given by the County Executive of Westchester County, NY, who also made her an honorary citizen of Westchester County.

1958

Dickie Jones in San Diego considers himself semi-retired, doing two to three residential real estate appraisals a week for the VA. He and wife Joan visited their daughter in Spartanburg, SC, joining her and her family on a cruise from Charleston to the Bahamas. Dickie stays in touch monthly with Rhodes roommate David McKenzie who is retired and living in the Austin, TX, area.

Also from Texas, John Gay mused: “We are at a time when we can sit down on the front porch steps of our lives and just silently watch and listen and re ect on what is truly important. On friends and loved ones. On the privilege of helping others. On simple beauty, which is after all not so simple. And sometimes we may nd ourselves making our way to that distant mountain called wisdom, nally reaching out and touching it, marveling at how immense it is, and realizing how small, yet how content we are. at enwombed in all our mistakes is the essence of peace. ese are for us good times to relish and cherish and share.”

Lewis and Giorgina Murray entertained John and Joan Quinn at their Chevy Chase townhome at an old-fashioned dinner party. Both couples live in the DC area. Lewis wrote, “I wish to con rm that both John and Joan Quinn are in good form and as sharp as ever. John and I, including Mike Cody (in Memphis), are in frequent email and telephonic contact.” e Murrays are leaving for a couple of months in Italy (with a stop-o to visit granddaughter in college at St. Andrews, Scotland) and are approaching their 55th wedding anniversary. e Quinns are going to Ireland to celebrate their 50th anniversary.

Robert Neil Templeton wrote from Virginia Beach, VA, that the Templeton

household “just does normal things” like going to grandchildren’s activities, host weekly family dinners, garden, go to doctors for check-ups and reads books. Temp “wishes classmates good health! God Bless!”

Retired professor Tom Reed in Richmond, KY, recommends some timely reading: M. Nance (2018),  e Plot to Destroy Democracy: How Putin and His Spies Are Undermining America and Dismantling the West. He also recommends a new book by Geo rey Berman (2022), Holding the Line: Inside the Nation’s Preeminent US Attorney’s O ce and its Battle with the Trump Justice Department.

Beverly Smith Pugh from Paducah, KY, writes: “At the moment we are homebodies and enjoying the simple life.” e Pughs will have all seven of their grandchildren home for the holidays. Six are graduates of Ole Miss. “We have one stray—a granddaughter who is a sophomore at Tulane!”

After leaving political careers in Washington, DC, and VA, Mary and Buddy Whiteaker returned to Pine Blu , AR, and just recently moved outside Little Rock to Maumelle, where they share a house with their daughter. irty years ago, they established a family reunion that continues today. eir children and grandchildren live in Richmond, VA; St. Louis, Denver, Chicago, and Maumelle, but they all gather at Greers Ferry Lake, just north of Little Rock. ey highly recommend this spot and the Little Red River to classmates, especially trout shers. e Whiteakers love to travel and “have seen and walked on 48 states.” ey hope to round out their travels with a trip to Hawaii and welcome suggestions of things to see and do.

Betty Russell still lives in Piggott, AR. She visits Franklin, TN, often to see her sister and her family, three children and eight grandchildren. Like all of us, she was saddened to hear of the death of Franklin native, Sue Robinson McLean.

Recuperating from back surgery at home on Cape Cod was Paul ompson. He keeps up with classmates John Gay and Mary and Buddy Whiteaker. Paul has been reading Don Lemon’s  is Is the Fire, in which Lemon “pulls no punches in describing the reality of our racial history and the challenges of our moving together toward reconciliation and unity as a nation.” Paul and wife Bunny, “are CNN junkies” and appreciate Lemon’s Louisiana roots.

Nancy Carter Burnidge writes from Elgin, IL, she is always happy to have news from classmates and remember college days. She has traveled frequently, “from Bu alo to Denver—to spend time with family, and also had vacation time in Asheville and the Blue Ridge Mountains. My family has been here in Chicago Land, too. Elgin is very close to e Second City.” She said that one “special treat this summer was a wonderful phone reunion with my dear friend, Nan Schae er Graham (Wilmington, NC)! We had such a happy, fun time catching up and reminiscing about our freshman year and Southwestern. If you haven’t read any of her books, you’re in for a treat.”

Folks, we need to give our thanks to the alumni o ce for emailing us when an alum from our class and classes near ours, passes away. In the ’50s and ’60s those folks were our roommates, suitemates, dates, sorority sisters, fraternity brothers, teammates, study partners, fellow Southwestern Singers, mentors. ey were special to us at a special time in our lives. It really is meaningful to their families to get notes from old college friends, some with special memories; and next-of-kin information is always furnished. When I receive an In Memoriam letter, I often get a lump in my throat remembering happy times with that person – Lorraine R. Abernathy

1960

Joan Warren Priest writes: “It is with great sadness that I share the passing of my beloved husband, John Ricks Priest. Although he was very ill for a long time, he was himself to the end. I am comforted by our children, John W. and Miriam Priest, my sister, Judith Warren ’73, and by our

From left to right: Giorgina Murray, John Quinn, Lewis Murray, Joan Quinn

friends and memories of the good times we shared with former classmates including Pem Kremer ’59, Jocelyn Agnew Camp ’61, John Somerville ’60, and Carolyn Shettlesworth McClurkan ’60. John and I met at Central High School in Memphis and married immediately after graduation from college. He was a National Merit Scholar, which enabled him to attend the Massachusetts Institute of Technology on a full scholarship. He also attended summer classes at Southwestern. We were married for 62 years and his career as a chemical engineer brought us to Delaware. We visited many national parks in the U.S. and Canada and built a house in the woods in Pennsylvania. I worked for many years in fund development for environmental organizations and recently retired from consulting for nonprofit organizations. I volunteered in political campaigns for President Joe Biden and applaud his service to the country.”

Morris Reagan was in Boston for the wedding of his cellist friend, Jesse Christeson, and the Decca Records release of Jesse’s performance in “Requiem for the Enslaved,” a cantata by Carlos Simon.

Lynda Lipscomb Wexler writes: “Life goes on! Lew had gallbladder surgery in January at 85! That anesthesia did a number on him!! Everyone stay out of the hospital!!! Thrilled that my daughter, Avery, and son-in-law, Will Albritton ’86 have moved from Memphis to Fairview, TN, southwest of Nashville. At least that is closer to me in Johnson City. Delighted to be driving there for a visit and my son Hal Patton ’83 and Clare are flying in from Spokane. Blessings to all!”

1961

From reporter Harvey Jenkins: While semi-quarantined, I self-published three short books of sermons. In the first, I shared my spiritual journey with family and friends. The second book included sermons delivered as pastor-in-residence at Whitlash (MT) Community Presbyterian Church in 2016. The third, subtitled Messages for Tumultuous Times, contains sermons still being delivered. COVID has plenty of downsides for our classmates, but it led to some positive results.

Anne Pool Crabb: “I’m closed out of substituting for organists, piano teaching, singing in community choirs, playing harp

where people are singing. And travel! A colleague and I have managed to publish some “pandemic books” on events of the Revolutionary War in Kentucky.”

Jerry Duncan reports that he and a good many other Rhodesians reside at Trezevant Manor Retirement Home in Memphis, Mary Allie McColgan Baldwin among them. He notes, “We miss ones who have joined the Chapter Eternal, including John Frazier and Mike Macey.”

Harry Swinney retired from the University of Texas in 2018 after 40 years of teaching and research. In 2000, he married Beth Kelley, with whom he volunteers in their church’s homeless program. One morning a week he cycles with a dozen other retirees. Shortly before the pandemic, he and Beth had a visit with Bill and Marlene Peeples Howard ’62 in Nellysford, VA.

Ken Barker is enjoying retirement along with his wife, taking bus trips—frequently in western New York, the Finger Lakes region, and Pennsylvania’s Amish country. They enjoy theater at Auburn, NY, but have missed theatre productions at Niagara-on-the-Lake in Ontario this year due to the bureaucratic hoops it takes to get into Canada. He donates to a fund in memory of Mack Pritchard, former state environmentalist, to further his efforts in conservation.

It was good to hear from Nancy Myers Smith from Miami, FL, and Kathleen O’Leary, who resides at Wesley Acres Retirement Community in Des Moines, IA.

1962

A few members of the Class of 1962 gathered on campus for our 60th reunion in October, and many more joined them in spirit. It goes without saying none of us would be who we are without the education and lifelong influence we have enjoyed at Rhodes College. We celebrate this goodness!

Bob Maclin retired from the Presbyterian ministry in 2005 and moved to Winston-Salem, NC. He has enjoyed playing trombone in several community bands and recently has been trying to learn French horn. This fall he visited his sister, Anne Maclin Mehrling ’64, who lost her spouse, John C. Mehrling ’64, recently in Waynesville, NC. Bob has happy memories from his Rhodes days of singing with the Madrigal Singers and the Southwestern Singers.

Brenda Brittan Adams stays busy with her family and is expecting her fifth great-grandchild. She rejoices she has her health, which she says is the most important thing.

Susan Huffman writes she enjoyed spending Christmas of 2021 with her brother and his family in Fayetteville.

In November Catherine Liddell Skapura will take a tour in Egypt with three of her neighbors.

From Sarah Richards High: “Since graduation, my life has been ‘upwardly bumpy.’ I was divorced when our children were young, so my life-long love of teaching high school math had to be halted as I pondered the future of raising two children alone. Living near the University of South Florida, I was able to take accounting classes and pass the CPA exam. I worked for Florida’s Auditor General for a few years, then took a job with the Lake County (Florida) Board of County Commissioners as the Director of Budget and Administrative Services. After a few years I met and married Dr. Dallas High, a retired philosophy professor from the University of Kentucky. With the children out of college, we were able to enjoy retirement and travel for many years before his death three years ago. I became involved in many social and charitable activities and learned to quilt. Now I live in an amazing retirement community in a small, quaint, touristy-type town—Mount Dora—and continue to stay active and involved. The Episcopal Church here has met my needs both spiritually and philosophically. My two children and three grandchildren continue to be my world. I am grateful for my education at ‘Southwestern’ and enjoy reading about my Rhodes friends, and I often wonder where many of you are.”

Diane McCullough Clark is an adjunct voice faculty member at Northwestern Michigan College and will teach two courses in the college’s Extended Education Division. She is excited about her new course, “Introduction to the Enneagram,” which is an outgrowth of the year-long, in-depth Enneagram course she took on Zoom last year. The second course is her old standby, “Speak with Confidence,” which she has taught for several decades in different formats for colleges, businesses, and leadership organizations. She will end 2022 by serving again as vocal director for the Young Company Holiday Cabaret at the Old Town Playhouse. In the new year she will have to slow down for hip replacement surgery.

From David McAdoo: “The current news from our part of the world is the

weather. Every spring we plant a hay crop, which we harvest in the early summer and again in the fall. Harvest consists of cutting, curing, and baling the hay into those big 1000-lb. round bales you have probably seen when you are out in the country. The abnormally dry spring reduced our summer cutting by 75%, and the blistering heat (100 to 105 degrees every day) of summer along with zero rain for 77 days made it appear that most of the hay crop had died along with all our grazing pastures. Halfway through August, however, there were some very abnormal but beneficial rains, and in two weeks most everything was green again. The miracle of nature’s ability to survive severe adversity never ceases to amaze me.”

Chris Mays writes, after decades of apartment living in Simi Valley, CA, he is now co-owner of a lovely new home with his daughter Beth and her husband (newlyweds) in Upland, CA.

Gretchen Smith Rich writes she and husband Charles A. Rich ’63 are both well and happy and celebrated their 58th wedding anniversary in August. They recently purchased a condo in Stillwater to put into Airbnb. She adds, “Why we thought this was a good idea at our age is now in question! It has been six weeks of constant work, worry, and expense, but we are finally nearing the finish line and are hopeful this will be a good financial decision. Charles, among his other obvious attributes, has acquired over the years skills in carpentry and plumbing. As a result, he has done much of the work himself—and done a really good job, but he has done little else in the last six weeks. Hopefully in another week we will have it up and listed and be enjoying a long trip to our favorite lake in our motor coach for rest and recovery! Our family are well and thriving. One of our blessings is that our children are all well married and happy. We have one grandson doing well in the workforce, two grandsons and a granddaughter in college, and a granddaughter and three grandsons still in high school.  We visit often with my sister, Rebecca Smith Kissel ’66, and her husband, Bill in Columbus, GA, as well as spending time in our vacation home in Colorado.”

Pete Cornish and his wife Jane recently took a trip to Alaska and saw his first live Lynx cat! “We started in Fairbanks and then spent seven days visiting different areas by land, finishing in Anchorage. We

were lucky to catch the peak of their short fall season with gorgeous colors. Denali mountain (Mt. McKinley when we studied geography) is beautiful, with several incredible glaciers in the areas we traveled. Portage Glacier has receded eight miles in the last 100 years. We are now in our first full day on a ship that will spend a week going to Vancouver. When we get off the boat there, we’ll take a ferry over to Victoria Island to spend two days primarily visiting the Butchart Gardens, which we highly recommend to any of you who get to Vancouver. This past year we put together a group of 14 to cruise the Columbia and Snake Rivers, which included Danny Logan ’59 and Karen Boyce Logan ’60, who was our fraternity sweetheart my first year at Southwestern. We were very saddened by Karen’s recent death. She was a wonderful woman who gave so much to others her entire life. We look forward to catching up with my other classmates.”

John Portwood reports he has good news and bad news. On the good side, clean-up from hurricane Ida in their neighborhood is complete. “With pandemic fears fading, social activities have returned. Sadly, western Louisiana is still suffering the effects of the storm. So, all is well there on the northside of Lake Pontchartrain. Finally, today I am reminded of a dinner with a United Kingdom unit that I attended during my military years. We were in a remote location, but certain protocols were followed. Perhaps the most memorable moment for me was when everyone raised a glass in toast to the queen. With the death of Queen Elizabeth II, it seems appropriate to end this note with that toast. To the Queen, God bless her!”

L. R. Mills reports he retired 10 years ago after 38 years in the Physics Department at The College of Charleston. He was awarded the Distinguished Teaching Award and the Mebane Chair in Chemistry and Physics. During his time there, he took a two-year leave to be a commercial-instrument flight instructor at Love Field in Dallas, TX. Over the years he has sailed his 40-foot sailboat in the Bahamas and along the length of the east coast of the U.S., flown his own

plane, studied classical guitar, and been an avid snow-skier (not all at the same time, of course). Currently he plays in The College of Charleston Flute Choir, works on family genealogy, and is studying some European languages. His two sons, Joseph L. Mills ’94 and Laney Robert Mills ’12, are the 8th and 9th in a long line of Millses attending Rhodes College. He and Linde attended his 60th Rhodes Reunion in October.

Richard Dew confesses: “I can’t bring myself to give up medicine. I am still in active practice as the volunteer medical director of the Mountain Hope Clinic, a faith-based clinic for the uninsured in Sevierville, TN. I also give lectures on patient care and relations to the third-year medical students at Quillen Medical School in Johnson City and mentor them when they rotate through the clinic.”

Mary Beth and Bill Mankin celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary with a family reunion and a ceremony in the Norton Chapel of Keuka College on the shore of Keuka Lake in New York. The event took place last July 30, exactly 50 years after the wedding in the same chapel.

From Bill Davidson: “Our classmate and my dear friend Bob Barret died in June. He was a substantial personality, who had lived a life of meaning, dedicated especially to helping the gay community. He was a favorite professor and wise counselor at UNC-Charlotte, and on his retirement the university established a lecture series in his honor. Bob was proud to have hiked El Camino, the 585-mile pilgrimage route from France to Compostela in northwestern Spain. He appeared in the NPR series ‘This I Believe.’ Sharon, Carolyn “Bunky” Haigler Ikenberry, and I visited with him in Charlotte during his last year there, and what I recall most was we could not remember details of our trips: rafting down the Mississippi to Vicksburg with Dan Bowen and navigating the north coast of Honduras in a canoe in search of Garifuna villages. The message is—for us all—to write our memoirs now, while we are still making memories.”

1963

60th Reunion

Homecoming/Reunion Weekend

September 29-30, 2023

Kaye McNight Beavers reports having a delightful dinner with Pete Cornish ’62

and wife Jane and Tommy and Bette Carol Thomas Scott spent a great evening with Lynnette Humphreys Campbell.

Anne Fuller Bendall had a wonderful trip to Aspen and thoroughly enjoyed the scenery.

Bill Arnold has been working with a free health clinic but took time off during the summer to enjoy a cruise on the Mississippi River and another on the Great Lakes.

John Cherry is comfortably retired (as are most of us in our class).

Francis Davis and wife, Rosemary (aka “Pud”), are planning a move to Virginia to be closer to family. Carolyn and I have visited in their lovely home in Florida, which I know they hate to leave, but family is so much more important.

Bill Butler, Charlie McCrary, and Mike Deaderick ’64 are using their time in retirement learning to play bridge. Charlie and wife Janie report having five grandchildren. Two of them are in college.

Tommy Vanden-Bosch (wife Janet Thomas) is a graduate of Presbyterian Seminary (PCUSA) and quite a talented teacher of music. Tommy is still doing full-time choir work.

Howard Williamson reports having a difficult bout with COVID and is recovering but still feeling lasting effects. He gives a shout out to his classmates.

Jim McCain and John Rice had a great get-together. (It is good to maintain old friendships with good friends from the past!)

Anne Darrington McInnis Peterson (aka “Dandy”) is planning to move to Westminster Village in Spanish Fort, AL.

Kitty Crow is now retired and spends much of her time traveling in Israel, France, and Italy (actually all over Europe). She recently toured Portugal. She reports Maribeth Moore Frazier is both a great friend and travel companion.

Johnny Frist has recently gotten new saddlebags for his bike and reports he is now “rough and ready” to get on the road. By the way, I sold my bike (along with some other toys).

David Watts reports he is in his usual good health. When you are in California, give him a call. He will love to hear from you.

John Bryan had a great summer visit

from his local family and friends and, also, from several who live in Scotland and England.

From Dan Gilchrist: My wife Carolyn and I have had a long weekend in Florence, AL, visiting old friends. We have five grandchildren: one graduated from Virginia Tech and is now in the music business in Nashville; one is now at Notre Dame; one graduated from Mississippi State and is now employed in the dental supply field; one is now at Ole Miss and headed for law school with plans to join her aunt’s law firm; and one is still in high school playing football. When you are in central Mississippi, please let us hear from you!

1964

As my own birthday nears, I am aware that most of us are celebrating the fact that we have completed eight decades of life and are embarking on the next. One of my favorite poems by Judith Viorst includes the words: “…and though eighty is probably old, we needn’t decide that until we get there.” Some of you ‘early birds’ may have already decided one way or the other. I’m voting for ‘older’ but surely NOT OLD and encourage all of us to keep on loving and laughing and learning and caring (for others)…surely that will keep our hearts young…if not our bones!!!

Jim Bullock writes: “This summer we caught up on things we had not been able to do through the pandemic. We visited children, and they visited us. I am mentoring five youth and young adults in juvenile justice programs, foster group homes, and in our South Woods Elementary School, where all the children are under the poverty guidelines. Ervin ’65 is working with the county commission in developing lowincome housing and food in Epicure. She has helped me get through cataract surgery, new teeth bridge for front teeth, and a smashed foot in a cast for endless months. (The adventures of an 80-year-old.) We just got a new dog, Casey, a one-year-old golden retriever.”

Liz Currie Williams writes: “I spent Palm Sunday weekend with Nancy Wasell Work in Washington and enjoyed staying at her new digs near the National Cathedral. In May I got to see Cyril Hollingsworth when we were both in Austin for an Austin Seminary board meeting. We’re overseeing the transition of presidents, always a busy

time for trustees. Trish Gladney Holland, an Austin resident and APTS alumna, attended the dedication of the new library, so we got to catch up briefly. In late June I joined some family members in Estes Park, CO, where I promptly got COVID. In late July the Currie clan had a family reunion at Mo-Ranch in the Texas hill country with 37 people and three generations. While there I squeezed in a visit with Rita Edington Odom, who lives nearby on the “other” fork of the Guadalupe River. When I get together with former colleagues from SMU, they remind me that Rhodes has grabbed the SMU law dean to be its new president.  I don’t know her, but she was well thought of here.”

An enthusiastic note from Dossett Foster says, “Remember my previous post about having a great-grandson on the way? Well Miles Dossett Foster was born on August 18th. I’m going to call him ‘Little Dossett.’” Congratulations Dossett and Linda!

Bill Wilson reports: “I get to read a lot of books by recording them for broadcast on the Memphis public library’s radio station, WYPL, and am currently reading a good account of the early space race: Mercury Rising: John Glenn, John Kennedy, and the New Battleground of the Cold War, by Jeff Shesol. We all remember events covered in the book, such as the launch of Sputnik in 1957, the nonexistent “missile gap,” Yuri Gagarin as the first man in space, and the Mercury 7 astronauts. It brought back a lot of memories. On a personal level, my son Jim and his family will move to Little Rock in September, making visits only a three-hour drive away instead of the current nine hours to Lawrence, KS. I get to visit with granddaughter Alice by FaceTime, but in person is better. I never had a birthday that bothered me, probably because I was always the youngest kid in my class and the birthday made me nominally the same age as the others. So, turning 40 for the second time is not an earth-shaker.” LOVE that 40 x 2 image, Bill!

I checked in with Mary Pope when news of the water crisis in Jackson, MS, became national news. She reminded me she now lives about 60 miles out from Jackson, so was not experiencing the issues facing the city of Jackson.

An update from Thurman Ragar: “Still here, 34 years in Rudy, AR, on a deadend gravel road on top of a hill where the Ozark

Mountains begin with spectacular views. My wife Martha and I have raised three daughters and have five grandkids. Last summer, our oldest daughter, husband, and three of the grandchildren moved to Fort Smith, a heck of lot closer than Austin, TX, where they lived for 20 years. The middle daughter and her family live in Tulsa. The youngest daughter lives in Seattle, where we have visited several times. We love the San Juan Islands and have spent a lot of time in British Columbia and Alberta in Banff and Jasper National Parks. We hiked through snow in both parks in the summer. Martha was an elementary school principal in Van Buren, AR. She is the best, and both of us love the outdoors. We like to do things together, from biking to music concerts. I met Martha when she and her then-husband moved to Pine Bluff, AR, in the late 70s. Their marriage fell apart. We connected, fell in love, and were married in 1980. We got tired of the mosquitos of Pine Bluff and had fallen in love with the Ozarks and decided to move. She got a job in Van Buren and we moved to Rudy in 1988. NO REGRETS. After graduating from Southwestern, I was accepted into the Peace Corps and taught in Ethiopia for three years. After the Peace Corps, I went to law school at the University of Arkansas and then clerked for Justice Seiler on the Missouri Supreme Court for a year, moved home to Pine Bluff and opened a law office in the fall of 1971. After we moved to Rudy, I started a practice in Van Buren. In 2001 I became a public defender. I really like being a public defender. I always like trial work—55 jury trials until I retired in 2009. Now I mainly volunteer at a homeless center in Fayetteville. Martha and I are both retired now. It allows us to take

long vacations. My bucket list is shorter. We walked across the Mississippi River at Lake Itasca MS, spent a month in New Zealand in their spring in October, spent a month with friends in a 300-plus-year-old-house outside Cortona in Tuscany, Italy. Planning a trip to Paris for three weeks to visit daughter Rebecca, who will be there working for Boeing. Turned 81 in September. In good health, but my memory is certainly not as good as it was in 1964.  I can still remember Tom Lowry, Dr. Amacker. Southwestern, after Martha, was the consequential influence in life. I learned some facts, a little German, but I was educated. I was ready for law school. I was ready for life in the last of the 20th century.”

Marilyn Meyers writes: “Not sure when I last sent in “News” as my life, like everyone else’s, was very much interrupted by the pandemic and there was not much to report. I’m happy to note 2022 has become far more normal, and part of that is a resumption of TRAVEL. Because COVID testing requirements for travel overseas continued to fluctuate and the “friendly skies” have been somewhat chaotic, a friend, Jan, and I decided this summer’s travel would be confined to the USA . . . well almost. Part of it was spent in Canadian waters. We booked an 8-day expedition cruise on the Great Lakes on a spanking new 400-passenger Viking ship, the Octantis (the name of the southern polar star). Our itinerary included parts of three of the five lakes, Michigan, Huron and Superior. We departed from Milwaukee, sailed north up Lake Michigan and then explored the Canadian waters of Georgian Bay in Lake Huron and the northern reaches of Lake Superior before disembarking in Thunder

Bay in western Ontario, a huge province— its western parts still remote, wild, and sparsely populated. The Octantis carries an armada of smaller craft in a hangar on her bottom deck and we used them all on our off ship excursions—Zodiacs to cruise the shoreline and observe the forests and various rock formations left by glaciers during the last ice age, high speed special operations boats to zip across the water in the best James Bond fashion, kayaks for the more contemplative traveler, and even a couple of small yellow submarines named John and Paul (six passengers each) used to gather water samples for pollution analysis in the Great Lakes. We did a bit of hiking ashore, too—the weather was beautiful throughout—and, in response to Jan’s request, one evening the captain dimmed the lights on a back deck so we could better see the myriad number of stars overhead. It really doesn’t get much better than this! We both came home much refreshed and charmed by this vast stretch of natural beauty we had discovered relatively close to home. And a happy additional note about return to normal: the Washington National Cathedral, where I volunteer as a guide, reopened for sightseeing. In September, I was able to show Mary Lou McMillin and her late husband Challace’s cousin from Tennessee around. So let me know if you are coming this way. I would be happy to show you the Cathedral, too!”

Thomas Lappage writes: “We finally got to go on a cruise to celebrate our Golden Wedding Anniversary two years late. We joined friends on a cruise called Into the Midnight Sun. We started in Bergen, Norway, with several extra days to explore Bergen. After boarding our ship, we sailed up the coast of Norway with stops in four locations. The coast and the fjords were beautiful, and we crossed the Arctic Circle before heading back south. The ship then stopped in the Orkney Islands, the Shetland Islands, and Edinburgh, Scotland, before our final stop in London. After the cruise we did a five-day extension called Churchill’s England, during which we visited many sites including London and other locations important in Churchill’s life. It was a great trip. Next year we have two river cruises planned: Belgium and Holland in May and the Douro River in Portugal in July.”

Mary Lou McMillin writes: “I had the rare opportunity to travel with each of my children this summer. As mentioned in our

last edition, daughter Lisa and I went to Edinburgh and Iona Scotland. This was a wonderful opportunity to explore the natural beauty, the history, and the sacredness of these places. The trip had an unintended extension when we both tested positive for COVID just as we were leaving Iona! We found if you have to be “stuck” in Scotland, it is good to be Presbyterian! A friend here in Harrisonburg connected us with the Pastor of the St. Andrews/St. George West Church of Scotland, Rosie Magee, and she proved to be “our angel!” She literally took us “under her wing” and cared for us daily until we were back on our feet again! Truly a GIFT! Fifteen hours after my return from Scotland, I jumped in the truck with my son Sid and took off on a road trip to Montana. We traveled 3099 miles across 11 states in 10 days—meandering our way, visiting with family and friends as we went. Our visits included time with Bill Harwood ’63 in Memphis and James Riley Crawford ’63 and his daughter, Lynn, and her husband, Jay Horton, in Hardy, AR. I especially wanted to see Lynn to offer her my condolences and deep sympathy in the loss of her mom, our classmate and my friend since first grade, Ann Taylor Adams. Ann died after a brief bout with pneumonia in early April. Another summertime treat was time spent with my brother John Harvey Quinn, Jr. ’58 and sister Fay Quinn Isele ’61 along with other members of our family at The Mountain outside Highlands, NC. We gathered to celebrate the 80th birthday of our cousin, Terry Ashley, who had commissioned a Bassoon Sonata by Amber Ferenze: Ode to The Grove. You can find it on YouTube and it is well worth listening to!”

Friends, do take care and make the most of each day we are given . . . find the joy in ordinary moments!

1965

Class Reporter Mary Porter reports: “I write from the vantage point of yet another unasked for learning experience . . . in a hospital bed, where I have begun recovering from multiple fractures—ribs, collarbone and pelvis—sustained on 9/14 in a collision with a speeding car. Fortunately, though I have significant pain, there were no internal injuries, no surgery was required, and I am alive! A few weeks before this event, I was diagnosed with “age-related” macular degeneration, began injections to treat

one eye, and am learning to live with this new reality. I’m hoping to avoid blindness for many years, but also know that more “learning experiences” are sure to come. Aging is certainly full of challenges, and I am blessed with family and friends to companion me and assist as I navigate the long haul!”

Suzanne Burns writes: “I am directing plays at the local Jewish Community Center. My involvement with Jewish theater is a long story, but no one cares I am a Baptist. The material available from Jewish authors is endless. I am planning to cruise down the Danube to celebrate that big 8-0 birthday. I did the Mediterranean just before COVID hit and have decided cruising is the only way to go. I like being waited on now-a-days.”

Harvey Caughey writes: “Wife Sheila and I escaped the Texas heat by travelling to Ireland in July as part of a choir assembled from Texas, South Carolina, Georgia, and Idaho to perform concerts in Dublin and Belfast. We both plan to serve as poll workers for the November elections.”

Nell Lanier writes: “This summer I took my three children, their mates, and my grandchildren—12 of us in all—to Iceland. It was a wonderful trip, and one I highly recommend.”

Cam Murchison and his wife Joan Herbert ’64 are happily living in Black Mountain, NC, in retirement and are pleased to have daughter Anna Louise and granddaughter Kaia nearby. Cam has enjoyed the intellectual stimulation of email conversation with classmates, enjoying referred reading material, and following internet links to fascinating vistas. His communication with Rhodes friends Lee ’64 and Ann Autry Brown ’64, Tom Durff, Smitty Smith, Vern McCarty ’66, and Grif Stockley has demonstrated that Rhodes has taught us how to keep on learning from and challenging each other throughout a lifetime.

Terri Tidwell Hornberger missed our 55th reunion but was able to visit campus in August with her friend Pam Brandon during Elvis Tribute Week. She met Director of Alumni Relations Tracy Vezina Patterson ’84 in King Hall, the former Pi Kappa Alpha National Headquarters, and was provided a “royal tour” of campus via golf cart. “As we traveled around to each area on campus, there was so much to learn.

Did you know the trees along the Rollow Avenue of Oaks were grown from seedlings from the original campus and planted by Johnny Rollow ’25, our physical plant engineer? We became the benefactors of his insight and dedication, as we can enjoy the majesty of his handiwork. We also toured Southwestern Hall and saw the Benefactor’s Circle, inscribed with the names of those who have donated $1M or more. Tracy took us to the top of Rhodes Tower where you can see all around the campus. So much NEW construction! We toured the new science building, Robertson Hall, named by our classmate Charles Robertson in memory of his parents, Lola ’33 and Charles Robertson Sr. ’29. May their love of science and learning continue to inspire generations of students. You can read all about the campus history and current accolades and accomplishment on the Rhodes website, rhodes.edu. As graduates in 1965, we can be proud of our alma ,ata more than ever!”

1966

It is good to hear from a few classmates during this challenging time. Nancy Jackson Williamson writes she and her husband “held our own mini-reunion when Tommy and Susan Fisher Cheairs brought Nancy Howell ’67 to Louisville for a brief visit last January. This was our first gettogether since COVID and Walter’s death.”

Mackie (Maxine) Mitchel Rice and her husband John F. Rice ’63 moved from Maine to Virginia.

It is also good to hear from Joyce Wilding. Her primary volunteer work is with United Religions Initiative. “URI has

leaders from diverse religions, spiritual and philosophical expressions, and indigenous traditions from 112 countries around the world. The Nashville URI Cooperation Circle hosts the annul citywide interfaith service with leaders from six world religions and Cherokee Indian leader. Key purpose of URI is to build cultures of peace, justice, and healing.”

Isabel Van Merlin has not lost her adventurous spirit. This year she went to Antarctica. “I had been wanting to go to Antarctica for a million years—to ACTUALLY SET FOOT ON THE CONTINENT. It would be my sixth continent—and I got a brochure for ‘Antarctica Adventure’ and I said, ‘YOU ARE ON IT!’ All my previous attempts to go never came to fruition! I have to admit this trip required a lot of perseverance—getting to Ushuaia, Argentina, to embark the Ocean Victory to actually get to Antarctica, was the most difficult traveling I have ever done! But it was so worth it. I highly recommend Albatros Expeditions (yes, only one!) I actually spent a night on the peninsula—both feet and my entire person! If you’d like to see my trip, go to my website’s gallery page. Anyone want to go to Australia with me next year?  It will be my seventh continent—the top of my bucket list. I truly believe travel is a wonderful education and I am still learning.”

Tommy and Susan Fisher Cheairs tried to escape the summer heat and drought by going to Alaska. It was not without adventure. She writes: “We were some of many with flight diversions, delays, and cancellations. Our whole group from one flight had to sleep on the floor of the airport in

Rapid City, SD, because there were no hotel rooms or rental cars for 100 miles because of the Sturgis Biker Rally.”

1967

Bill Heiter still lives in Mobile, AL, and writes that he is fortunate to keep in touch with several chums from time to time. Bill is now retired (he confessed to not remembering how long). Recent family reunions have been fun. He enjoys “dabbling on the Internet.” By the time this is printed, Judy and Bill will have celebrated their 54th wedding anniversary. Any classmates in the Mobile area are invited to call and receive an invitation to Happy Hour.

Jeanne Hope and Jacobs Buckner sold their home on the coast of Maine. They are renting until they relocate. The Buckners were unable to attend the 55th class reunion. At the time they were on the road to Alabama from Maine and somewhere in the Knoxville area. A detour to Memphis would not have been possible.

Gail Jennings has moved back to the Memphis area (Collierville) to be closer to relatives while also downsizing. Following two years of the COVID “thing,” Gail reentered travel mode: Her recent destinations have included the Caribbean, Barbados, Rome, Malta, Venice, Bermuda, and a cruise on the Danube. She plans to continue.

Dianne Rickoll Short and Richard celebrated a 50th wedding anniversary in June 2021. Their trip included Paris, northern France, and a stop at Monet’s Garden in Giverny. Dianne is now staying busy with her garden and doing Zoom meetings with family spread coast to coast, east to west.

Ray and Jennifer Bird Henley have celebrated their 54th wedding anniversary and also survived COVID. Much of their time has been spent tackling the garden at their new home in Brevard, NC. Their three children and six grandchildren are all well. The Henley’s look forward to their October visit with Wayne and Patty Shelton.

Canon Thomas Hall also wrote. The money Canon and Clay saved from cancelling travel plans during COVID has been spent on books, dancing, and staying in touch with family. She sends her love to all.

David Blankenship is retired from active law practice after 49 years. He and his wife live on beautiful Boone Lake near Johnson City, TN.

Terri Tidwell Hornberger ’65 and friend Pam Brandon

Pam Richardson Hays is enjoying retirement. She continues to work on criminal justice matters and volunteer at her church and the local arboretum. COVID has slowed the Hays’ travels. A possible move to New Zealand is under consideration.

Rosie Gladney writes of a small but mighty reunion of six from our class who gathered at the beautiful Alabama home of Karen Gilmore Brassell in March 2022. Mary Jo Burns Breen, Annette Anderson Bowen, Dianne Rickoll Short, Dell Bailey Ford, and Rose Gladney shared memories, heard stories never-before told of dorm life their sophomore year, and enjoyed meeting and being entertained by Karen’s daughters and granddaughters.

In closing a personal note if I may—thanks to all who expressed good wishes to me following my surgery. Much appreciated. I am doing well.

1968

55th Reunion

Homecoming/Reunion Weekend

September 29 - 30, 2023

Alex Gafford writes: “I was pleased to see a feature (in the last Rhodes magazine) on Rhodes student-athletes, as I ran cross country and track and remain quite proud of my red and black ‘S’ sweater. I am still working, now Senior Director of Technology and Innovation, for a mid-sized consumer products company. Just published, at age 75, my first peer-reviewed technical paper. It is on Carbon Intensity of Fuels Used in Outdoor Cooking in the journal Fuels. My wife, Donna, is still working as rector of a small Episcopal Church parish in Seale, AL. COVID has affected our normal trips to the British Isles, so we are busy gardening and tending to two horses, three dogs, and a school of Koi. Our extended family in College Station, TX, and Washington, DC, continues to grow as nieces have children and Donna continues a trustee relationship with several children of a close friend of ours who died of cancer. I continue to reflect on how well my time at Rhodes prepared me for my livelihood and my life. I think the main thing I learned was how to evaluate the quality of ideas and how to critically think about issues I have had to deal with. None of the professors I had tolerated guesswork and sloppy thinking but demanded coherence and precision of thought and expression. All well worth the effort it took to meet the standards set.”

After a two-year COVID hiatus, Susan “Lukie” Lucas, Janelle Hood Haseman, Drue Thom White, Peggy Crull, Noni Harvin Buchanan, Laura Crawford Kinkle, and Priscilla Hinkle Ennis met in July for their 7th reunion since 2014. “Lukie was hostess at her home in Santa Rosa Beach, FL, and treated us to delicious breakfasts and found fantastic seafood restaurants for us each evening. We made our traditional excursion to the grocery store (Publix this year) and later we enjoyed a shopping trip to the mall! Swimming at Lukie’s beach club in the welcoming Gulf waters was a high point of our week. In the evenings we discussed interesting questions such as what famous person, living or dead, we would like to have dinner with. As always,

we completed a jigsaw puzzle, this year showing famous people from our childhood, on the beach!  We also celebrated Peggy’s birthday. As a parting gesture, Lukie let each of us choose one of her paintings to take back home with us. A wonderful week with “old” friends!”

1973

50th Reunion Homecoming/Reunion Weekend

September 29 - 30, 2023

1974

Frank Broyles is organizing our 50th reunion. Kudos to Frank! He says he is “having the time of his life”! In addition, he occasionally offers capacity coaching and clergy wellness programs. He “hopes to put out a new shingle, if he can swing it—and then to serve as a Congregational Resource Specialist.” He and wife Rhonda find time to travel around New York and New England—the Hudson River Valley enchants them.

Wendlandt Hasselle had a Fools for Fun 73rd birthday party (April Fool’s baby) for her husband during a lower COVID frequency time, with a blues band playing on the front porch! Some guests came for two days—a grand weekend! Her book club finally held their delayed Christmas party last April, and the long-delayed East High

Enjoying their 34th annual beach retreat are ’74 classmates, seated left to right; Sarah Lodge and Louise Pryor Campbell; standing left to right: Conie Lowry Abernathy, Dabney Nicholls Haugh, and Melba Bridgewater Homra.

Pinkney Herbert ’77 and Wendlant Hasselle ’74

50th (52nd) reunion took place in August.  It was truly a blast reconnecting with so many. Arnold Weiner was also in that class and present. Highlights this summer included taking a Quapaw big canoe trip on the Muddy Mississippi Labor Day weekend with Pinkney ’77 and Janice Herbert The river was cool, and it was an interesting international group!  I highly recommend that adventure. Am hoping to return to India in January for a friend’s wedding, but only time will tell.

Hugh McKinnon and his wife Lisa lived in the Detroit and Boston areas for several years before returning to the Nashville (Brentwood) area in 2021. He has accepted a position as Assistant Attorney General with the office of the Tennessee Attorney General, Tax Division. Lisa is a Senior VP and Senior Credit Risk Officer with Fifth Third Bank. Last July the McKinnons took a cruise down the Danube, with stops in Passau, Vienna, and Budapest, just to mention a few. Beforehand, they also visited Munich, Salzburg, and Oberam-mergau, Bavaria to attend the Passion Play, delayed for two years due to the pandemic. As some may know, it depicts the last days of Christ’s Crucifixion and Resurrection. Based on a vow to God that if they be spared from the Black Death, the play has been performed every year from 1634-1680, after which every 10 years since 1680 by the villagers— with a few exceptions.

Henry Slack has now become the Georgia state co-coordinator for Citizens’ Climate Lobby, a bipartisan nonprofit which has built relationships with members of Congress to discuss action on global warming. His father grew up around the corner from Henry’s house in Decatur, Georgia!

Jim O’Donnell lives primarily in Plano, TX, but also spends time at his homes in Santa Fe and the Redneck Riviera at Seaside, FL, while “trying to wrap up my last venture capital fund. Looking forward to seeing Johnny Coats ’75, Hardy Butler ’75, Bobbo (one name like Fabian) Jetmundsen ’77, Steve Wade ’77, Will Yandell ’77, Ted Palles ’80, Gerry Jones ’79, and Dan Searight ’78 soon at my 70th birthday bash.”

1976

David Dudley and his wife Kathryn Presbyterian pastors in Sanford, NC, share the “interesting” saga they experienced,

quipping “I hope your summer has gone better than ours has!” Here is his story: “In June 2022, I had double knee replacement. The first couple of weeks were tough; otherwise, my recovery was going well. But one month later, we were involved in a freak accident. A huge old oak tree came down on us, smashing our car and knocking me to the ground. Kathryn escaped untouched (physically at least), but the impact split open one of my knees at the incision and severed my patella tendon. What followed was emergency surgery, more time in the hospital, a full-length plaster cast and a walker for several weeks. My surgeon is pleased with how I’m healing. After wearing a limited-range-of-motion brace for a while, I’ll start physical therapy to try to develop full range of motion.”

David and Kathryn express thanks for all who supported them with prayers and meals over the summer. We wish them good recovery and a full return to their love of gardening, hiking, baking, and grandparenting.

Furniture Craftmanship. woodschool.org. He calls it a wonderful time and experience to learn furniture making.

Karen Barclay Jones shares happy news: “I am a newlywed to another artist, Alfred Jones. We celebrated our first wedding anniversary on August 24. I retired from teaching after 37 years and am simply making art for our two gallery spaces in Tupelo. Check out our Facebook pages Karen Barclay Jones and Alfred L. Jones.”

Jim Mitchell has enjoyed a career in nonprofit management. He got his start in admissions at Southwestern with mentor Mary Jo Miller. He left SWAM for the Memphis Arts Council, then headed to SMU for graduate degrees MBA and MA in Arts Administration. He has worked in symphony, opera, theater, and has served as ED of the Arkansas Arts Council and in development at the University of Arkansas, where he has lived since 2000. For the last 22 years he has been a contract consultant with nonprofits in arts, literacy, and health care. Jim calls himself a “Jack of all trades, master of none.”

(Your editors were delighted to see a Sou’wester article on Admissions from the 1970s in which Jimmy appears with glorious seventies hair along with our classmate Jim Dart.)

Class of ’76 classmates Carol Ellis Morgan and Julie Allen Berger with Louise Rutkowski Allen ’77 (above) at Rhodes Family Weekend in Fisher Garden.  Each had family involved in the weekend’s festivities, held on a beautiful and very warm Memphis September day.

Ray Inscoe and his wife Laura spent three months in Rockland, ME, this summer where he was a student at the Center for

Oliver Cobb sends this update to his note in our last issue: “I am a full-time employee of Tennessee Prison Outreach Ministry (also called Forgiveness House) at its Memphis location. TPOM is a state licensed halfway house and re-entry house for newly released prisoners from the Tennessee Department of Corrections. Our ministry partner is HopeWorks of Memphis, which runs extensive re-entry programs at the Shelby County Detention Center (a.k.a. ‘The Penal Farm’). I am a House Shepherd, helping manage the re-entry house and its programs. Our goal is for residents to successfully re-enter society with good

David ’76 and Kathryn Dudley

Jim Dart ’77 and Jimmy Mitchell’ 77

citizen skills and to secure full-time employment.  I have no plans to retire. My Greek teacher, the late Father Nicholas Vieron of the Greek Orthodox Church, always said, “Retirement is for wimps.” So, we go forward and progress. I am active in St. Mary’s Episcopal Cathedral and enjoy attending classical music events and local theater. I am part of a Koine Greek Bible study and a Unit Scouter Reserve adult leader with my Scout Troop 34.”

Suzanne Johnston: After a career as Director of the Legislative Research Library at the Louisiana House of Representatives, Suzie became an ordained deacon in the Episcopal Church in 2013. She works with former inmates who are transitioning into society with Oak Cottage for Women and in substance abuse recovery at Healing Housing in Franklin, TN. She serves the Episcopal Church of the Resurrection with social ministries such as food pantries, single parent families in poverty, and Room in the Inn, a winter shelter for the homeless. She is married to George Silbernagel, has two grown sons, and one grandson.

1977

Mike Clary recently announced his retirement after 44 years on the athletic staff at our alma mater. He is currently the women’s golf coach. Trading his golf bag in for a backpack, Mike and his daughter Julie

Clary ’04 spent six days in July walking 80 miles of the Camino de Santiago from Northern Portugal to Santiago, Spain.

2022 started off with partial retirement for Pat Flynn and Jerry Heston ’78. Pat retired from her position with St. Jude, and Jerry from his private practice in child psychiatry, and now have time to travel. They’ve recently returned from Italy and France where they visited Chateau d’Anet. Nothing like a trip to a 14th century chateau to stir up memories of Professor Anne Robbins’ class! With her rusty French, Pat felt she only understood about 10% of the tour guides’ lectures. Pat’s looking forward to our reunion.

Abstract artist Pinkney Herbert recently had a solo show of paintings and drawings at David Lusk Gallery/Memphis during June 2022. Splitting his time between Memphis and New York, he plans to see everyone at the reunion and is looking forward to it.

Bobbo Jetmundsen reports he became a resident of Florida during the pandemic after calling Atlanta home for more than 40 years. He still maintains a residence there. He can usually be found on the water, as many of you know!

ing our 45th reunion. Perhaps while dining, they remembered their classmates with a toast?! Returning home, Mary and husband Kent will visit their daughter, Alden, who relocated to Mexico City to teach. What better way to christen a new porch than by hosting a party for fellow alums?  Mike Pearigan did just that in Nashville for the Pike Chapter alums. Serving beverages appropriate for the occasion, Mike hosted Tom Baker, John Edmunds ’76, David Green ’78, and Monty Smith ’78, as well as Rhodes alumnae Cathy Close ’78 and Susan Click Mattson.

Little Rock resident Gaye Richardson reports a group of Chi Omegas (and one honorary one) met in Asheville, NC, in September. Organizing the group was Laurie Lynn Tinnell ’79, who put together a fun-packed weekend that included a barbeque, tubing on the Toe River, an emergency exit from the rear of a bus, the NC Arboretum, and a comedy bus sightseeing tour. Several had the privilege of staying at the wonderful Oakland Cottage B&B owned by Mary Kelton Bridges ’81.

Charles Upchurch reports from across the pond that he still resides in Switzerland. A few years ago, he took the challenge to grow the valuation of a global telecommunications company in the town of Zug, with the goal to find a financial exit for the shareholders. Completion is on the horizon for 2023, when he hopes to slow down.

Steve Wade regrets having to miss our class reunion. He and wife Ginger, who celebrated 35 years of marriage recently, are involved with their church’s mission trip. Ginger is leading this mission effort so one can assume going for 36 years of marriage has taken priority over a 45th class reunion.

Mary Mooney Myers: After concluding her professional fundraising career in 2020, she is enjoying retirement by voluntering at the Smithsonian, studying Ikebana, and playing tennis. She enjoys traveling and has rendezvoused with dear friends Carol Richardson Hunter and Louise Rutkowski Allen for over 25 years. In October, Mary and Louise will be joined by Susan O’Donoghue Witek and traveled to Sicily. Sadly, this trip prevented them from attend-

Not able to attend our reunion, Susan Fleming Warner sends greetings. Travel has been a big part of her and husband Mike’s retirement, evidenced by a second trip to Scotland. Even their volunteer work with their church has taken them to Kenya five times.

Returning to his Mississippi roots after graduation, Jim Watson decided farming and raising cattle were not in the cards for him. A 1984 move west took him first to Bozeman, MT, for five years, where he earned a BS degree in Mechanical Engineering and met his future wife, Carol Bibler. Hitting the road again, Jim and Carol moved to Grand Junction, CO, where

Mike ’77 and Julie Clary ’04 in Spain

Having high tea at D.C.’s historic Willard Hotel are ’77 classmates Carol Richardson Hunter, Mary Mooney Myers, and Louise Rutkowski Allen.

life graced them with their son, Sam, and a career for Jim as a design engineer for manufacturing companies. Fast forward to ’96, when Jim started a successful company, Little Bear Snowshoes, that dominated the children’s market and earned him five patents! In 2001 he sold the company and they moved to Carol’s hometown of Kalispell, MT (where he says they plan to remain). Retirement has kept him busy with an abundance of interests—raising Tibetan yak, managing their timber properties, volunteering at nonprofits, working with backcountry trail groups, as a saw instructor for the Forest Service, and as a veteran Montana Hunter Education instructor. Jim feels blessed by the lifetime friends he made while at Southwestern.

1979

Marty Lee writes: “Including my ‘calculus with computer’ classes at Southwestern, I have spent close to five decades working with different computers and software systems. I have now worked in IT with the State of TN since 2015. The last two years of working from home have been challenging. I don’t miss the traffic nor driving in bad weather, but I do miss the folks I work

with, chatting at meetings or in the hall. I am a terrific aunt and great-aunt to my sister’s and brother’s children and grandchildren, and we have two cats and a dog—all rescued and spoiled rotten. I don’t feel like I am 65, and don’t act like my grandmothers did when they were in their 60s. I am working with a group of high-school friends to plan our 50th high school reunion in 2025.”

From Anne Douglas McKee: “In April I wrapped up 21 years of service as campus minister at Maryville College, where I was privileged to serve faculty, staff, students, and alums in both spiritual life and community engagement, including directing the Bonner Scholars program. While I miss many colleagues from college circles, it’s been an absolute joy to return to parish ministry. I am serving as transitional minister at Westminster Presbyterian Church, Knoxville, a church I have long admired and one with several active Rhodes graduates! There is a lot to learn, but we are moving forward together.”

Gary Minor shares: “My wife, Susan, and I are building a log cabin in the woods in Sewanee, TN. It will be a getaway place for about six years, then it will be our permanent home. In the meantime, we still

live in Franklin, TN, about six miles from where I grew up. While it is a different place now, yes, you can go home. Our only child is in DC, working in the communications biz.”

From Ray Gilmer: “By this time next year I anticipate I can share that I’m retired and relocated to Charlottesville to be closer to our daughter’s growing family and a backyard view of the Blue Ridge mountains.”

Diana Scarbrough Jester writes: “Following graduation, I lived in Texas for 29 years (Austin, San Antonio, and the Dallas/ Ft. Worth area). Almost 14 years ago, Steve and I moved to Louisville, KY, when he accepted the position as Senior Pastor of Second Presbyterian Church. I completed my Master of Science in Social Work at the University of Louisville at the Kent School of Social Work and Family Science. I have been working at the Kent School for the last 10 years on grants to provide training for nursing homes on emergency preparedness, first in Kentucky and now in North Carolina. Our son, David, lives near us and during the pandemic started his own company, Mimic Visuals. Steve is a cyclist, bourbon aficionado, baseball fan (college and professional) and Tour de France fan.

Catting around Asheville are Lynx Marynell Branch ’77, Laurie Lynn Tinnell ’79, Joellyn Forrester Sullivan ’77, Jill Fuzy Helmer ’77, Bonnie Allen ’78, Jane Terry ’78, Gaye Richardson ’77, Patty Bowen Barker ’80, and Deborah Legg Craddock ’80.

I am active at the church in the handbell choir and children’s ministry program, love to garden, and quilt when I can. We love to travel(!) including Colorado and New Mexico, several trips to Spain and Scotland, and several trips to Steve’s brother and sister-in-law in France, with a trip on the horizon. Yes, we have been to the Kentucky Derby— ve times, including when American Pharoah won! Yes, we drink bourbon and visit the distilleries! Yes, Louisville has a great restaurant scene! Contact me if you plan to come to Louisville and we can give you the grand tour. And, yes, retirement is on the horizon! e question still unanswered: Is Louisville the most northern southern city, or is it the most southern northern city?”

that will accommodate collections of ne wine, rare books, rescued pets, and Ellen’s easy going husband, David.

1981

Forty-one years out from our graduation from Southwestern at Memphis, lots of us are retiring from our careers. Congratulations to the following classmates who have recently retired:

After a 30+ year career in immunology with the Tennessee Department of Agriculture Animal Health Lab, rst as a technician, then as a supervisor, Joyce Holladay Doyle retired in May. With a rst grandbaby due this fall, she is super excited for this next chapter of her life!

Charles Gurney retired as editor to the Department of State’s Human Rights Report in January and began to pursue writing. He sold his rst story to a professional journal in July.

Neville Carson retired April 1. He’s now working on his ction writing and guitar playing, and enjoying life with his wife, Julie. eir son, Nicholas, is in his junior year at the University of West Georgia.

government in 2019. She is now spending time with her husband, friends, and four adult children in Olympia. Shannon enjoys reading, gardening, cooking, and exploring the beautiful Paci c Northwest.

Retirement will be in the picture soon for RobertCruthirds. He has been working as a librarian at Memphis Public Libraries for almost 20 years, but will retire soon due to health issues. He continues to encourage and inspire others in the eld of library work.

Leslie Hubbert reports that she is “rounding the corner on my last year of teaching 3rd grade. I am looking forward to some relaxing retirement time with my husband, Michael, my two daughters and their husbands, and my beautiful grandson, Joaquin, who was born at our house during the rst month of the pandemic. We are still playing music with our friends in our various backyards; navigating the heat, the drought, and the plague, but living to tell the tale. Some of my best memories from Rhodes College (aka Southwestern) are playing music in the chapel at the end of Bellingrath Hall.

Others of us continue in our work:

Carol Cole Czeczot, who lives in Black Mountain, NC, exhibits her oil and acrylic paintings at two venues in Asheville’s River Arts District—Marquee Asheville and Trackside Studios. Her art may also be viewed at BlackMountainArtist.com.

Carole Jennings Freeburg is still working part-time as an in-house attorney at Bryce Corporation in Memphis. She enjoyed spending a week in San Francisco and Napa with two of her three sons last spring. e wedding of one of her sons in the Catskills and playing pickleball in the National Senior Olympics in Ft. Lauderdale were exciting events for her this past year.

Susan Olsen, Ellen Geiger Ryan ’80, and Marlee Mitchell ’80 (above) spent the last days of summer in the Adirondacks searching for the ultimate retirement villa.  Each year they reunite looking for a place

Relocating to Asheville, NC, was part of Allison Fentress’ retirement plans. What a fabulous place to retire!

Shannon Biegert retired from a leadership position in State of Washington

Jay Haynes is a professor and academic liaison for John Peter Smith Hospital with Burnett School of Medicine at Texas Christian University in Fort Worth, TX, where he serves on the Accreditation Committee for Quality Improvement. He is the Senior Medical Director for Acclaim Multi-Specialty Group, Vice-Chair of the JPS Family Medicine Department, and Secretary-Treasurer of the JPS Medical Sta . He enjoys teaching the art and science of clinical practice and performance development to medical students, residents, and fellow clinicians. He and Bonny, a family law attorney, married

Nancy DiPaolo ’87 and husband, David Williams, graciously opened their home for a reception to welcome and introduce President Jennifer Collins and Adam Charnes to Washington, DC area alumni and parents.

in 1988 and have four adult children: twin girls, KTJ and Carly, aspiring professional recording artists studying at Berklee in Boston; Madelyn, pursuing her MPH at Tulane; and Jayson, a TCU grad in commercial construction in Dallas-Fort Worth.

Charlotte ompson is still working for Microsoft as an Enterprise Services Sales Manager and traveling less. She recently connected with Rhodes friends Steve Jackson and Fred ’80 and Jill Johnson Piper ’80 in Idaho. ey also had a reunion in Paris last June.

John Doyle has served as executive director of the Memphis Rock ‘n’ Soul Museum for 19 years, an exhibition researched and developed by the Smithsonian Institution. He has served as the executive director of the Memphis Music Hall of Fame, including its museum and annual Induction Ceremony, since its inception in 2012. Most recently, he oversaw the tenth anniversary of the Memphis Music Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony this past September.

1983

Richard Bird attended Lewis Kalmbach’s Celebration of Life and had this to share along with his own news: “A celebration of life was held for Lewis Kalmbach ’83 in Shreveport, LA, on Sunday, August 14. Lewis and his husband Greg Ott lived all over the country from San Francisco, CA, to New Hope, PA, and St. Louis, MO, before moving back with their 9-year-old son Jasper to Lewis’s hometown of Shreveport.  Everywhere Lewis lived, he made lasting friends and left an indelible impression on the community. For more than 25 years, he hosted an annual Buckeroo Lew beach party in Navarre Beach, FL, where he connected folks from all corners of the United States. Lewis began su ering from the e ects of ALS in 2020 and made the decision to move closer to family. He never slowed down, though, and opened Big Sun Studios in downtown Shreveport dedicated to showcasing the work of local artists—a lifelong passion that started with the founding of Artist’s Transit, a Shreveport artist group and gallery, in 1984 and then Artport, a revolving public art display located in Shreveport Regional Airport in 1990 that continues today. One of his many talents was bringing people together, so it was only tting his life be remembered and celebrated by friends from across the

country at Big Sun with his paintings lining the walls. Lewis and I remained close all these years. As hard as it was to accept he was gone, I needed to be there, although I was afraid of not knowing more than a few in attendance. Everyone wore a nametag that included one word they thought best described Lewis.  ere were a lot that said “Happy” and “Sunshine” and “Love.” I chose “Authentic” because, as we all know, Lewis was Lewis. And as I maneuvered through the crowd, I realized how many of his friends had become my friends over the years from the many trips to the beach, the ranch in California, and his home in Shreveport.  at was his gift to us.

“I’m still living in Nashville with my partner, William. Four years ago, I made the move to the nonpro t world as the SVP of Finance for Pathway Lending, a Community Development Financial Institution that supports small businesses around the state with lending solutions and business advisory services. Unable to get away from nances in my o hours, I’m also serving as the treasurer for my church as well as Nashville CARES, which serves Middle Tennessee with a broad range of comprehensive services to individuals who are at-risk for or living with HIV.”

Beth Spencer He in writes that “life has certainly changed with the arrival of twin granddaughters, who just turned one! What a joy they have been for me and so thrilled my son Grant and daughter-in-law Katie live only 10 minutes away—lots of babysitting time for BeBe (it’s my most favorite activity.) My oldest son, Spencer

’12, and his girlfriend, Mary, have recently left for adventures and further education in the UK (Mary is a Rhodes grad and Spencer got his master’s in accounting at Rhodes!) My daughter, Libby, and her husband, Reid, run a family business in a small town not far from Kansas City, MO, which keeps them very busy.

From Jim Massey: “A little Massey news on the whiskey and spirits front for 2022: Fugitives Grandgousier Tennessee Whiskey won a coveted Gold Medal at the recent Ultimate Spirits Challenge! Fugitives Tennessee Waltz Whiskey won a second Platinum Award at the ASCOT Awards by Fred Minnick, Fugitives “Briggs&Massey” Vodka earned a Gold Medal and one of the highest ratings in the world for vodka at the USA Spirits Ratings (higher than Kettle One, signi cantly higher than Tito’s), and last but not least, Rue Bourbon, a new brand based out of New Orleans, has earned its place in the Top 100 Spirits in the World through the Ultimate Spirits Challenge! Rue Bourbon Bourbon 16 Year was ranked 4th best bourbon in the world, top 7 in American whiskeys, and 30th overall in all spirits of the world! Rue Bourbon will be available in the New Orleans market before Mardi Gras.”

Bob Edwards has recently been in touch with Yu Hong “Ted” Ting, who transferred to Rhodes from China. Ted recalled Bob teaching him to drive a stick shift and asking him to hit the road after only a half-hour practice on the parking lot. “I remember I got stuck in the middle of the intersection as I couldn’t get the car restarted.

Richard ’84 and Trish Witherspoon Spore enjoyed a wonderful reunion with Terry and Julee Carroll Bate in Colorado!  “We missed Charlotte and Paul Parks (the third couple in our “comfy crew” of many years). Rhodes connections are the best!”

The cars behind us honked at us like crazy.  Oh boy! That was some unforgettable experience.” Ted’s son, Chris, graduated from Northeastern University in Boston last year and is pursuing his graduate degree in Financial Engineering at University of Southern California and expects to graduate next year. Ted resides in China.  “We have a small software company, providing the software development, customization and implementation services for our clients, mostly foreign investments here.   Now semi-retired, so we will have more time for travelling and have a plan to visit the U.S. next year for my son’s graduation.”

1984

Thanks to everyone for all the great news! We asked about everyone’s 60th birthday celebration and got some great responses:

Tripp Dargie: “For my 60th, we took a family trip to Scotland with a quick visit to London. I went with my wife, Holley, son, Taylor, daughter, Avery, and her husband Tyler. We travelled to Gleneagles, Inverness, Aberdeen, St. Andrews, Stirling, Glascow, and Edinburgh. We explored castles, flew falcons, ate great food, sampled Scottish beer and whiskey, shopped for local treasures and scared the hell out of the locals trying to drive on the left side of the road.”

Bob Wheeler: “I didn’t realize anybody turned 60 yet. I’m still 29! I actually catered a party and had about 160 folks in my backyard. I called it my Big Birthday Bash and fortunately, many people assumed it was my 50th. Who was I to correct them? I have been doing a podcast for the past four years, “Money You Should Ask,” and we are about to go to two episodes per week. I still have my tax practice and brought in a partner a couple of years ago so I can have a little more free time. I’m still CFO at The Comedy Store based in Hollywood. On November 1, I’m releasing, Darius Wants a Dog, the first of eight books in my Financially Fit Kidz series advocating for financial literacy and inclusion. Due to chicken math, I am now up to 11 chickens sharing my backyard along with my two dogs. That’s about it for the moment. Planning to be at a few homecomings when they don’t clash with tax deadlines!”

Dev Butler: “I’m still enjoying life in beautiful Grand Rapids, MI.  My wife Susan and I have three boys, one at University of Michigan, one at Indiana University, and the youngest is a senior in high school. For my 60th birthday, the five of us took a bucket list golf trip to Wisconsin where we played the Sand Valley courses and then onto Erin Hills, Black Wolf Run, and Whistling Straits. We walked all of them with caddies and had a blast.”

Laura Hollingsworth Jernigan, Mary Lee Bowling Reed, Deidre Teaford, Susan Gamble Crowell, Alice Marie Clark Danks, and Mary Goodloe (above) met in Chattanooga in May for their 60th and had an amazing weekend—sipping, hiking, climbing, and great fellowship. According to Susan, “We spent the weekend in Soddy Daisy, TN, and enjoyed lots of deck time fellowship, reminiscing about our Rhodes adventures and friends, hiking the North Chickamauga Creek, meandering rock climbing at Stone Fort, morning walks, pecan pies, competitive card game antics, and evening toasts.  Our weekend is now a treasured memory of this time together, even greater bonding, how much we all mean to each other, and how grateful we are of our Rhodes opportunity to become friends.  I didn’t realize anybody turned 60 yet. I’m still 29! To our next 10 and beyond!”

From Barbara Etheridge: “On my actual birthday in January, my husband and I hosted a political fundraiser at my home. They did sing happy birthday to me, at least!  And the candidate did get elected. In early July, I traveled to England with my church choir (Calvary Episcopal Church) to St. Albans, England, for a week-long choral residency at St. Albans Cathedral.  We had day trips to Cambridge, Windsor (yes, the Queen was there but no, we did not see her), Canterbury, and Knebworth House.  We met John Rutter (choral rock star composer) and sang seven services while we were there. At the end of September, I’ll be traveling to Vermont to celebrate my 60 years with my sister and four other fabulous women. I helped with a couple of local political races, and I’ve been spending time with my beautiful granddaughter.”

Karen Thompson Manroe: “Against my will, my husband threw a ginormous party on the Saturday before my Monday birthday. It was a solid 3 a.m. rager—a lot for an old lady. For my pain and suffering, he treated me to 24 hours in my favorite US city, New Orleans, on my actual birthday, and our two daughters came along as a surprise. It was a BLAST, with dinner at Commander’s Palace and late-night wanderings in the Quarter. It took me a minute to recover, but SO worth it. I hope everyone else’s was similarly eventful!”

Mary Lynn Tucker Davis: “Jeff Davis ’85 and I have been in Nashville since 1999— long before it became the destination. I’m fine with the colossal change since I’m a realtor with Corcoran Reverie. Jeff is with Mercer Capital. Our older daughter, Ellie, graduated from Rhodes in 2016 and lives in Chicago. Our younger daughter, Stephanie, graduated Case Western Reserve in 2020 and lives in Birmingham, MI. In fact, that’s where all of us were on my 60th—helping Steph move into her new house!”

Tracy Vezina Patterson celebrated her 60th in NYC with a little help from KD sisters Amy Doville, Cathy Cotham Harris, Jennifer Frost Ramos Stark, and Robin Newcomb Friend ’85. They enjoyed seeing Billy Crystal and Daniel Craig on Broadway, several fabulous meals, sightseeing, shopping, and laughing until they cried! Several weeks later, Jennifer Fain ’85 and Leslie McCormick Darr ’87 joined the group to celebrate Amy’s 60th with a cookout and pool party.

Laurie Enos Quattlebaum: “Marvin ’86 and I are still in Greenville, SC, and ended our summer with a bang—at the US Open where we got to see Serena Williams’ last match. We had our children and their significant others with us, so it was extra fun. I have been a SAHM for most of the last 20 years and am finding my young adult children and our 15-month-old granddaughter are still requiring a good bit of my attention. Marvin left the practice of law about five years ago and is on the U.S. 4th Circuit Court of Appeals, which means he is home more but is still working hard reading and writing. Greenville is a lovely place to live and visit, so if you are ever here, look us up!”

Linda Mathis: “Chris and I both retired in July—before our 60th!  Now we are traveling from one music festival to the next in LeeRoy, our camper. Our dog, Waylon, gets to come with us. The RV lifestyle is soooo much fun!”

Laura Hollandsworth Jernigan and husband John Jernigan ’82 live in Decatur, GA. Laura writes: “I have served in pastoral ministry for Presbyterian congregations and have recently stepped into a new chapter to focus on writing and music. John is an infectious disease physician and continues in his work for the CDC as chief of a branch that works to prevent healthcare associated infections, spending most of the last two years working on the CDC’s COVID-19 response. We find it hard to believe that our three sons are now ‘grown and flown,’ and we happily anticipate the expansion of our family with our eldest son’s wedding in October!  Here’s to great college memories and friendships over the years!”

Bill Townsend reports he launched a new company, College Rover, in May 2022. Fellow classmate Chris Boswell’s excellent ad agency BFW, out of Boca Raton, built a website to help high school students and parents sort through the voluminous data about colleges and universities. This is a subscription service but free this year to

any Rhodes alumni or their children—just email Bill at wbt91423@yahoo.com. Bill moved his offices into the c. 1842 PillowMcIntyre house in Victorian Village. Joining Bill in his company is Emma Patterson, oldest daughter of Scott ’85 and Tracy Vezina Patterson. “For those of you who knew Scott well, his love of life, dry wit, and humor lives on in his daughter Emma! Come say hello when you come to visit Memphis!”

Dave and Elizabeth Martin Neithamer: “Dave and I both planned to celebrate our 60th birthdays with a family trip to Hawaii in April.  That birthday trip did happen, but happily became a destination wedding with the marriage of our daughter, Kelsey, on Kauai. Kelsey works in Memphis and lives in Marion, AR.  Our son, Scott, was married in 2021, but COVID forced the wedding to be postponed to last June, in Czech Republic. Scott and Martina live in Manchester, UK, and welcomed their son (and our first grandson) in September!”

Linda Odom thanks her classmates for their good wishes before her new band’s first gig, including Lynn Linebaugh Jones, Cathy Reese, and Peter Rooney. “Special thanks to Elizabeth Pritchartt Swinney for coming in person! It was particularly fun to see her (from my drum throne) spend time with my kids.” For more information, see Elizabeth’s posts to the Rhodes College Class of 1984 Facebook page.

1988

35th Reunion

Homecoming/Reunion Weekend

September 29 - 30, 2023

1989

The class of 1989 has come out of the pandemic slow down at full speed, with an added combustible element seeming to be the number of classmates who now find themselves as empty nesters!  Ann Dixon Pyle reports during their first year with no children at home, she and her husband Hoyte were excited to visit two of her closest friends from Rhodes in different parts of the country.  In fall 2021, they visited Robin Meredith Kelly and her husband Keith ’88 at their lovely home in Paducah, KY. Last summer they spent time with Ann’s Rhodes roommate and friend of 40 years, Suzanna Barnett Cooper, and her husband Brad on their 25-acre homestead in Ft. Collins, CO.

Jennifer Hutcherson Doost is also officially an empty nester now that her daughter has started classes at the Savannah College of Art and Design.  She and her husband Omid also relocated to Savannah and live in a wonderful old (but fully renovated!) Victorian home built in 1886 right off Forsyth Park. Ovid will be running his business remotely and Jennifer is spending a lot of time volunteering in the community. Their oldest son is engaged and living in Austin and their second son is finishing his degree at the University of South Florida.

Lisa McClelland Borgeson is threatening to take up pickleball with both of her daughters now in college! She and her husband have lived in the San Francisco Bay area since 2008. Lisa works as in-house counsel for NetApp, a data storage and management company, where she currently focuses on growing the company’s ESG (environment, social and governance) efforts. Lisa calls this ability to “roll up your sleeves and try to solve new and complex problems” the beauty of a liberal arts education. She also serves on the vestry of her church and has enjoyed the occasional visit from Jennifer Burrow Paine when she swings through town for work and a visit last summer from Nancy DiPaolo ’87 and her husband Dave.

Suzanne Huhta Payson is an empty nester now that she has a freshman and senior in college. She joined Kappa Delta sisters Megan Dalrymple Abbott, Amy Davis Klimek, and Valery Messer McMann for a girls’ weekend at St. Augustine Beach in late August. Valery had another special reason for going to Florida—to visit her new granddaughter, Auriella Jade McMann.

Here’s hoping that Auriella will be the third generation of McManns to go to Rhodes!

Clark Tomlinson is one step closer to being an empty nester. His son Ethan is a high school senior and is making campus visits in North Carolina. Clark’s family made up for vacations missed due to COVID by going to Spain and Portugal last spring and Norway last summer. They made it to the far north cape of Norway north of the Arctic Circle during the time of year when the sun is always up. Clark reported that it was “fascinating to see the sun above the horizon at 1:30 a.m.!” Back home, Clark is “still giving anesthesia at the same hospital at which he’s been for the last 17 years.”

Lucinda Lyon Buford was named one of Real Trends America’s Best Real Estate Professionals for 2022, putting her

in the top 1.49% of agents nationwide. With both children now 24 and living in Dallas, Lucinda and her husband recently celebrated a belated 30-year wedding anniversary with a trip to Italy. Our class’ other real estate maven, Inez Yeiser Reeder, was selected as one of the Top 60 Real Estate Agents in Little Rock. Also in the realtor ranks is Charles Harris, who joined Caldwell Banker Collins-Maury in Memphis last July to focus on residential sales after working 30 years in commercial real estate.

Rather than buying a house, Lisa Turnbow recently built a new home in Nolensville, TN. After 19 months of construction, she is thrilled to settle in.  Lisa acknowledged the important contribution of classmate and “fantastic host” Melissa McCornack, who kept her from being homeless for seven months after she sold her condo and construction was delayed. Lisa also started a new role as a Senior Talent Partner with Honest Medical Group and is excited to be a part of the healthcare startup world.

Russell Porter married Rebecca Houston in June 2021 in Chevy Chase, MD. His son Jack is a junior at Sewanee and loves it up there on that mountain!

Russell is still at the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), currently serving as acting director for Central America and Mexico and staff director for the Northern Triangle (i.e., Central America) Task Force to address the root causes of migration.

(left to right)Besties Kevin Collier, John Hicks, Leigh Ashford, Trish Puryear Crist, and Catherine Chastain-Elliott gathered in May in Atlanta after far too long apart: “We managed to get a quick Max Dupree sighting, too, but have no photographic proof.”

Liza Wade is the new National Sales and Education Manager for natural skin care brand Antedotum, based in Aspen, CO. Liza did her master’s degree practicum with them, and her wellness and herbal education will be woven into the trainings she will lead all over the U.S. Liza hopes to connect with fellow alumni in locations across the country in her new capacity!

1990

Bill Barksdale moved to Missoula, MT, in May of 2021. He is pastor of Grace United Methodist Church in the Mountain-Sky Conference of the UMC. He also serves as the Congregational Resource Minister for the Western Montana District, providing support for churches across the district.

Shellie Ruoff Creson P’21 is calling Nashville home and just started a new job as EVP and Chief Risk Officer at Synovus Bank in Atlanta.

travel.com. It would be a real treat to lead a private group of Lynx! Minimum of four people to make a tour and a maximum of eight people on a tour.”

Randy and Sage Lambert Graham’s ’89 son, Daniel ’25, is a sophomore pursuing a B.S. in Chemistry. He worked on a Chemistry research project with Professor Eckenhoff over the summer.

1992

What a fantastic turnout for our 30th Reunion. It was great to see everyone! Thank you to the Reunion Planning Committee for all your hard work. So much fun!

Beverly Hayden wrote, “I will be starting up my tours to Vietnam again in 2023. I am also very excited to be spending the first three months of 2023 in magical Bali, one of my favorite places, unearthing great new adventures for my tour guests to enjoy. With the results of that location research, I’ll be expanding my tour offerings to Bali and other areas of Indonesia. I’ll soon be adding tours to Morocco as well, and am looking forward to that location research! 2023 will be an exciting year! And if shameless plugs are allowed, I’d love for Rhodes peeps to check out my tours at opendoor-

Kelli Pacello DeWitt (above) shared: “I’m happy to report my daughter, Alix de Witt Harte ’16, and her husband, Ryan, welcomed twins, Isabel Marie and Hagen Thomas Harte, on January 21 and 22, 2022, respectively. As a twin myself, I expect they will thoroughly enjoy having their own birthday. Greg and I are so grateful for them!”

Bryan Pepper wrote, “A short update. I finished a BA in English and History at the University of Texas after a long stint in NYC, New Haven, and Princeton. To date, I’ve published two essays, a work of creative non-fiction called Playground Scripture about teaching in a majority Brown and Black school where I taught American literature, Contemporary Poetry, and Honors MELUS literature. Playground drew from my encounter with liberation theology and the cultural anthropology of Zora Neal Hurston. I am near the end of the process of converting to Christianity. I’ve maintained a vow of poverty and celibacy for 10 years. At current I’m reviewing potential MFA offers. Hook ’em and Go Lynx! I get back to Memphis infrequently but make a point of getting over to campus. The beauty of campus still overwhelms!”

Emily Newson Cook and her husband David ’91 are the new co-owners of Side Porch Steakhouse in Bartlett, TN.

It would seem that Class of 1992 offspring are flocking to Rhodes!

Kaleigh Donnelly and Rich Bullington ’91 dropped off Lindsay ’21 at seminary at Boston University in August 2021.

Brian ’93 and Ashley Ellis Tierney’s daughter, Addison ’24, (above) is a junior. She is also a second generation Women’s Soccer player. Ashley was honored by her old coach, Andy Marcinko, who has since retired.

Shantih Geary Smythe’s daughter Paxton ’26 is a freshman this year. She is a member of the Rhodes swim team.

Cindy McCraw Dircks’ son Harry ’24 is a junior this year. He is following in Cindy’s footsteps as a member of the Rhodes Activities Board (formerly known as the SRC—Social Regulations Commission.)

David ’91 and Emily Newsom

Cook’s son, Tyler ’25, is a sophomore this year.  He studied in Ecuador this summer with a group from Rhodes.

Who else has or had a kiddo at Rhodes?  Share your info on our Facebook Page: Rhodes College—Class of 1992.

1993

30th Reunion

Homecoming/Reunion Weekend

September 29 – 30, 2023

Wendy Young Mullins changed jobs this year. After 26 years as a school psychologist for Oldham County (KY) Schools, she decided it was time to serve children in Jefferson County Public Schools in Louisville, KY. She is transitioning to being an empty nester. “I love my beautiful daughters and watching them grow their lives and their passions. I also had a wonderful visit with Shirley Stone Sankey in Nashville and got to see her daughter’s team play in a volleyball tournament!”

Marcus Kimbrough ’90 joined the Rhodes College Board of Trustees on July 1.

“I have also had the joy of being the reporter for the class of 1993—and we are approaching our 30th reunion. I will continue to reach out to classmates for more updates for the next edition of the magazine. Please email me or contact me on FB with updates to share with others. Also, update contact information with Rhodes. I have lots of returned emails for people.”

This year I decided to challenge our class to share updates on life OR share their path from Rhodes to current life OR share a favorite memory of Rhodes. I am happy to share the following from our classmates:

Lynette Breedlove is in her ninth year of leading The Gatton Academy of Mathematics and Science, an amazing program at Western Kentucky University for high ability high school juniors and seniors from Kentucky. Lynette shared: “Students reside in our dedicated residence hall and essentially finish high school by starting college. Best of all, they receive full scholarships for tuition, housing, and meals.” Serving as the director of Gatton is a dream job for someone in gifted education like Lynette. “While my career path was winding, including a couple of years in med school and another couple serving as a juvenile probation officer, finding gifted education was an incredible ah-ha experience. This is my 26th year in education, and while I don’t have an MD, I do have a PhD in educational psychology. My current hobby is being a hockey mom. My son plays travel and high school hockey, so I’m often at a rink, getting ready to go to a rink, or watching his games online.”

Jackson ’94, and by way of cardboard cutouts, Shirley Stone Sankey, Shelley Smith, and Kara Elliott

Brett Cullum: “When I graduated from Rhodes College in 1993, I had a degree in international studies and history. I had also spent four years doing every show at the McCoy Theatre I could, culminating as the Emcee in Cookie Ewing’s vision of Cabaret Somehow now I find myself working in human resources as a senior recruiter for UT Health Houston. I still do theater now and then, and I write reviews of the performing arts for a couple of publications. Yet nothing international or historical, but a fondness for both remains. And I can belt out any song from Cabaret if I get caught at a karaoke night anywhere in the world.”

According to sources, Steve Dorst is currently VP of Production for Perpetuo Films and recently directed and was the cinematographer on Dani’s Twins (2022), “a short film about a friend who is one of the few quadriplegics in the world to give birth to twins.”

Jennifer Clark Evans: “My career path after Rhodes was not a straight line; however, it led me right where I wanted to be. I majored in psychology, went to graduate school in experimental psychology, then switched to a master’s in secondary English education. I have been teaching high school English and AP psychology for over 20 years at a small independent school in Fredericksburg, VA. My daughter recently graduated from Gettysburg College and my younger child will graduate from high school this year. We recently learned a lot about melanoma cancer, and my husband is thriving after a year of immunotherapy. Rhodes made me a lifelong learner, always open to new opportunities and flexible in the face of unforeseen challenges.”

Logan Germann (another Rhodes alum who landed in Kentucky) currently produces and hosts Danville’s favorite podcast, “Man About Danville.” If you haven’t heard his voice in a few years, you can find him on Apple Podcasts and most other podcast platforms.

grown an assortment of plants, flowers, and French bulldogs over the last 29 years. “Among my personal career highlights, I have taught classes at CBU and served as a state prosecutor, a federal prosecutor, and a juvenile court magistrate judge. I am currently the Shelby County Attorney.”

Rob Jarrett moved from Tupelo, MS, to Roanoke, VA, in 2018. He is the medical director of pathology and laboratories for a regional health system; his wife Emily Dodson Jarrett ’99 is a reading tutor for Roanoke City Public Schools. Son Wilkes is a high school senior; daughter Maggie is a sophomore. “We are happy to be closer to my mother (Patricia Dunn Jarrett ’65) in Chapel Hill and Emily’s parents (Frank ’71 and Cathie Yongue Dodson ’72) in Montreat, NC. One of my Favorite Rhodes Memories—Singers, I think. And in a way my most influential “class.” Tony Garner has been gone for a quarter century now, but I still think about his commitment to excellence all the time.”

Pat Nelson graciously summed up what several people indicated. “Nest is empty and enjoying this season of life.”

Katherine McCaa Bryan shared some fun times (above). In March 2022, a group of classmates met in New York City to celebrate 50th birthdays. The group included Stephanie Monte Sullivan, Chandlee Bryan, Ambereen Khan, Lynn Crabb, Jennifer Cobb, Yves Rougelot Clark, Mindy Simon, Robyn Thiemann, Holly

Marlinee Clark Iverson made Memphis her home after graduating from Rhodes. She and her husband Max Maloney have four children (youngest is 19). She also earned a degree from every major university in Memphis: Rhodes (BA ’93), U of M (JD ’97) and CBU (MBA ’22), and has

Richard A. Picerno II has been married to Andrea Rose Picerno ’95 since 1995. They have three children—their daughter graduated from Rollins College last May, one son is in his junior year at the University of Florida, and their youngest son is a high school senior. After graduating from Rhodes, he attended medical school at the University of Tennessee and completed his orthopaedic surgery residency at the University of Florida Health Science Center in Jacksonville, FL. He then joined Jacksonville Orthopaedic Institute in Jacksonville, FL, where he’s been in private practice for 17 years. “I’m blessed to be in a variety of leadership positions in our practice and our hospital system including vice chair of our hospital board of directors (will become Chairman of the Board in March of 2023); BMCS Chief of orthopedics; co-chair of The Co-worker and Patient Observation Reporting System (CORS/PARS) for our five hospital system, Baptist Health Jacksonville; and clinical assistant professor of orthopaedic surgery. I have also had the honor to complete volunteer medical work in Haiti, including orthopaedic disaster work after the hurricane in 2010. My family and I are actively involved in our church and I’ve been blessed to serve in a variety of leadership positions, including chairman

of the trustees, chairman of the deacons, and Sunday school teacher. In my off time I value spending time with Andrea and my kids. We’ve been actively involved in the kid’s many endeavors over the years, and we enjoy traveling as a family, including hiking and snow skiing and many trips to Disney.”

Kelley Slagle is an Equine Therapist and Empowerment Coach in Kansas City. Her son is a sophomore at Rockhurst High School and her daughter is a senior at The Pembroke Hill School.

Shelley Smith is busy starting or maybe extending a career in real estate in Georgia. She continues to create beautiful, meaningful jewelry alongside her mother. Shelley is busy in the community, too, and is in her second year as a court appointed special advocate (CASA), a community volunteer who has been screened and trained and is appointed by a judge to advocate for the best interests of an abused or neglected child involved in juvenile court deprivation proceedings. She also works with Pegasus, an amazing group that has equine therapy for children with learning and physical disabilities and continuing to support animal rescue programs.

Stephanie Monte Sullivan: “I graduated Rhodes with a degree in Russian Language and Literature and went on to get my MA in Russian Literature from NYU while living and working in NYC. With a move to DC, I jumped to the non-profit world and over 20 years-experience helping develop the third sector around the globe. I worked exclusively in former Soviet/Eastern European countries until 2009, then my passport went crazy. For a decade I was part

of the start-up crew to make sure projects had the right technical anchor, which took me all around the world. Literally. One trip started in Yemen and then went to East Timor. The travel agent asked if I wanted to fly back the way I’d come or did I want to circumnavigate. Um, the latter please. Nothing like crossing something off your life list you didn’t even think to put on! Oddly, I found the need to dial back my work when my kids hit high school. They are all performers, and I didn’t want to miss a thing. I still do consulting, but I’m not working as aggressively as I did when they were younger. Steve ’91 and I have been married since ’95, lived in NYC, DC, and now Pennsylvania. We have three children —Maeve, 20 (a jazz performance major at West Chester University, PA); Riley, 17 (a senior looking to major in psychology); and Finn, 16 (a junior currently looking to do music production). We laugh that none of them got a college mailer from Rhodes —but all three got them from Vandy and Sewanee!!! Sending the kids off to school has me mad nostalgic for our days together at Rhodes. Thank God for Facebook now (and no Facebook then!)”

Taylor Tagg got married in February 2022 and started a new role as Learning and Development Manager with Stratas Foods in March. “I’ve worked at AutoZone, ServiceMaster, FedEx, and the City of Memphis during my career. Four years ago I donated a kidney on behalf of a close friend’s son who needed it to live. It was one of the highlights of my life being able to give in this way, and I got to talk about kidney donation at TEDx. Pretty cool stuff although, unfortunately, my friend’s son

passed away early last year from COVID. Still would have done it all over again in a heartbeat.” youtu.be/7H5hTvN8A3c

James Westphal has been in Chattanooga since 2014 working in IT after getting a PhD in physical chemistry. He loves Chattanooga and enjoys hiking, cycling, and rock climbing. He says he was pleasantly surprised that Rhodes has a climbing wall now. “That thing might have kept me out of some trouble—once upon a time.”

1994

The United States District Court for the Eastern District of Tennessee appointed Trey Hamilton as United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Tennessee. Trey will serve in this capacity until the vacancy is filled by a Presidential-appointed, Senateconfirmed nominee. Trey had been serving as Interim U.S. Attorney by appointment of Attorney General Merrick B. Garland following his service as the district’s Acting U.S. Attorney.

Melissa Mathews has been named to Ragan’s Top Women in Communications Awards List for 2022 in the Leaders category. Ragan’s Top Women in Communications Awards celebrates the female communications professionals whose dedication and contributions to the communications industry are making a significant impact in their day-to-day job and career, advancing the profession while accelerating growth for their organization. Melissa is honored for pioneering the virtual agency model long before the era of remote and hybrid work. “When I found myself with limited career

options after having moved overseas for my husband’s job, I realized I would need to create my own opportunities,” says Melissa. “Remote collaboration tools were primitive by today’s standards, but I saw an opportunity to continue the communications career that I had been building at organizations like CNN and NASA.” She founded The Mathews Group (now named Spring Green Communications) in 2010 and has grown it into an international company with a client roster of Fortune 100 companies and other higher education, STEM, and nonprofit organizations. As the spouse of a U.S. diplomat posted overseas, Melissa has managed the business for over a decade from Latin America, the Middle East, and—next stop —Central Europe. Melissa lives with her husband George and their three children, along with two rescue pets.

1997

Brendan Minihan is starting his sixth year as Head of the Middle School at The Tatnall School in Wilmington, DE. Margaret Ann Taylor Minihan ’98 is the tech director at The Independence School. Their children, Aidan (senior), Ewan (junior), and Clare (8th), all attend Tatnall. The boys run cross country and track, and Clare plays volleyball. Brendan was recently inducted into the New Orleans Track Club Hall of Fame. They hope their ongoing college search will include Rhodes.

1998

25th Reunion

Homecoming/Reunion Weekend

September 29 - 30, 2023

Judith Smelser recently celebrated one year as President and General Manager of WMFE, the NPR News affiliate for Orlando and Central Florida. This is her second stint at the station; she led WMFE’s newsroom until 2011, when she moved to Denver to take a position at Colorado Public Radio. She later returned to Florida to launch a consulting and editing business, which she ran for eight years before returning to WMFE to take the helm at her home station.

1999

Madison Moore Agee was recently promoted to the newly created position of Director of Internal Communications for Vanderbilt Health. In this role, she leads the experts who help keep the system’s more than 30,000 employees informed, engaged, and connected. In 2023, Madison will celebrate her 20th year in Nashville, where she lives with her two sons. She visited Spain with Sunni Thompson ’98 in October.

Davienne Toth Koci, a licensed Physician’s Assistant, married Jordan Koci in April 2009 and they have four wonderful children. She and her husband work

as primary care providers at the Colmery O’Neil VA in Topeka, KS.

Tara Loux is a pediatric surgeon at Geisinger Medical Center in north central Pennsylvania and has a nine-year-old son and a rescue pup, Genevieve.

Rachel Allen Lyles and her family moved from Memphis to the Nashville area in August 2019. Rachel homeschools her two boys, Allen (12) and Thomas (10), and assists her husband, Matt, with his speaking business and his podcast, SIMPLEbrand with Matt Lyles

Matt Marcotte joined the business and legal affairs team at Roku in October 2021and relocated to San Jose, CA.  He is helping Roku launch new streaming media products, services, and features.

Rhoberta Giambelluca Orsland obtained her J.D. from the University of Tennessee College of Law in 2002 and clerked for Justice Janice Holder with the Tennessee Supreme Court for two years, joined an insurance defense firm in Memphis, then served as a staff attorney with Tennessee’s Department of Labor and Workforce Development. She recently started a new position with the Memphis office of Morgan & Morgan. She and husband Bret Orsland ’92 have two children and live about six blocks from Rhodes.

Greg Sims graduated from Columbia Theological Seminary after graduation. He

recently celebrated 10 years with the Atlanta Community Food Bank as the director of individual giving. He and his wife, Gina, reside in Decatur, GA, where their daughter is a high school sophomore and their son is in the 7th grade. They are soon heading to NYC for the kids’ first visit.

Ford Vox, a brain injury specialist and medical director for the disorders of consciousness program at the Shepherd Center, was named to the Atlanta Top Doctors list for 2022 by Atlanta Magazine

Peter Warren recently founded a new architectural firm in Memphis, ooba (Office of Basic Architecture), after several years as an architectural sole proprietorship.  His career has taken him to the Ann Arbor area for grad school; to Juneau, AK; to NYC; and back home to Memphis.

Steve Winkates finished his assignment as Program Director for East Asia with the U.S. Trade and Development Agency at the U.S. Embassy in Beijing, China, and has since transferred to the U.S. Embassy in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, where he is the deputy development advisor for the U.S. Agency for International Development.

Kathryn DeRossitt recently joined Memphis Area Legal Services as an attorney after 10 years as a solo practitioner. “I recently produced an almost 25-minute documentary about a woman who was sentenced to 25 years in prison for trespassing in a Memphis home for five days. I also have a huge academic project three years in the making I hope will be completed by the next class update.”

2000

Brian Willis recently changed jobs and is now head of pharmacometrics for Eisai in their Alzheimer’s Disease and Brain Health organization.

After two years in Northern Virginia, Robert Cole moved back to Atlanta in July 2021 after accepting the job of director of the Advanced Heart Failure and Transplantation program at Piedmont Heart Institute. “My two daughters, Zarina (8) and Cyra (6) keep me busy outside of the hospital!”

Clare Juden Lopez and her husband, Nivardo, welcomed Julia Grace to their family on July 8, 2021. Joining big brother Nathaniel, she has kept her parents busy. They continue to reside in New York, where they bought a home in 2020.

Jessica L. Anschutz has moved to the DC metro area and looks forward to connecting with her fellow Rhodes alumni. She is the assistant director of the Lewis Center for Church Leadership at Wesley Theological Seminary, where she serves as the co-editor of the “Leading Ideas” e-newsletter and “Leading Ideas Talks” podcast. She also serves as an adjunct faculty member for Wesley’s Doctor of Ministry program.

2001

Ellie and Dr. Barrett Haga welcomed a new baby boy, Campbell Philip Haga, in April. He joins big sister Charlotte and dog Yukon and is making as much noise as possible. Everyone is doing well, and Campbell’s 2-month-old passport photo is hilarious!

Lise Taylor graduated nursing school from Loyola University in May and is working as an ER Nurse in Chicago—with three boys and two dogs!

In June 2022, Cindy McGhee’s company NextGen acquired a small CPA firm out of Memphis and now has expanded its services to businesses and entrepreneurs in that area.

Amit and Roshni Mirchandani are both physicians in Dallas, TX, and enjoy raising their two boys, Arav (8) and Krish (6).

At long last, William D. Henry, Jr. and Rania Garnem Henry ’03 were wed on June 19, 2021, in William’s hometown of Murfreesboro, TN, almost three years after a providential encounter in Rania’s hometown of Birmingham, AL, where the

two reunited more than 15 years after their time at Rhodes. Family and friends gathered to celebrate the wedding, including several Rhodes alumni.

Hannah Miller has earned promotion and tenure at Vermont State University— Johnson, where she is now associate professor of education. She received a grant from the Spencer Foundation to support a critical participatory community action research project that aims to build community and support for queer and transgender educators in the state of Vermont.

2003

20th Reunion

Homecoming/Reunion Weekend

September 29 - 30, 2023

2004

Class of 2004 had some fun updates— including many of us turning FORTY.

Stephan Horbelt celebrated his fourth decade with a trip to some of Gwyneth Paltrow’s favorite California vineyards, spas, and “wellness centers.”  He said the highlight of the trip was doing a sound bath at the Integraton in Death Valley. If you’ve never been to the Intregraton, look it up—GOOP has a great write up of the planetarium which is a “fusion of art, science, and magic.”  I’ve actually been myself and can attest that it is truly an out-of-body experience.

Yours truly, C. Kyle Russ, also had a milestone and spent it with Emily

Pictured left to right: Corliss Givens ’01, Jenny Argo ’01, William D. Henry, Jr. ’01 (groom), Rania Garnem Henry ’03 (bride), Tamara Martin Farmer ’03, Courtney Neff Milam ’03, and Chad Milam ’04.

Costarides Maple and Jeaneane Fountain Camp (above) at Lyford Cay in the Bahamas.  To be honest, I’m still feeling the aftermath of the trip . . .

Also, to celebrate some birthdays, Emily Hoermann McMurray and Claire Dowler Rouse visited Katherine Brooks Goldman and her family in Fairhope, AL.  As you can see from the picture (below), it was a very festive event.

They released an EP in January called “Only Life,” and plan to record a full-length album this fall. Look forward to checking it out!

humanities, and named the F. M. Kirby Chair of Leadership and Character. He also published two books: a co-edited volume called Cultivating Virtue in the University and a book entitled A Commonwealth of Hope: Augustine’s Political Thought. This fall, he’s enjoying the strong USD and is spending his research leave as an academic visitor at the University of Oxford. Obviously, all who did British Studies at Oxford—nearly 20 years ago—are now jealous!

Wedding bells update: Emily Valentine Sottile married Alexander Barker on July 10 at St. Joseph’s church in Stockbridge, MA. The couple had a woodland reception in Monterey, MA, on Emily’s family property. Several Rhodents made the trip to the Berkshires for the celebration, including Whitney Garman Sink, Maggie Goodman and Jacob Church. The joyous couple spent their honeymoon in Greece, which is actually one of the very few European countries Emily hadn’t previously visited.

Speaking of Jacob—he and his brother, Ben Church ’09, have been playing music around Memphis as the Church Brothers.

Amber Shaw has some big news as well! She and her husband Matt welcomed son Henry on April 4. He met some fellow class of 2004 ladies over Labor Day weekend. (above, front row: Amber and Henry, Jenny Dill; back row: Julie Clary and Katie Maxwell).

Michael Lamb also has some news to share. He continues to serve as executive director of the Program for Leadership and Character at Wake Forest University. This year, he was awarded tenure, promoted to associate professor of interdisciplinary

No one will be surprised that Matt Hoffberg is the first in our class to become a GRANDFATHER.  Well, step-grandfather, but still, his technical title is “Grandaddy” The little tyke was born this summer and Hoff is over the moon, though a little tired after entertaining the little angel so much.

This crazy crew (above) went to Atelier in Playa Mujeres to celebrate turning 40 in style. “Highlight of the trip was being told we look like we were in college . . . or did they say we acted like we were in college . . . Oh well! We will settle on the former.” In attendance: Elizabeth Winkelmann, Erin Fleischer, Katherine Mauzy Robinson, Leslie Patterson Kirk, Elizabeth Cooley

Katherine Goldman ’04 and friends

Emily Sottile ’04 and husband Alexander Barker

C. Kyle Russ ’04 in Bahamas

Matt Hoffberg ’04 and grandchild

Nelson, Leigh Coburn Flood, Shaunna Torrance Mason, and Lee Thomas Harring.

Lastly, in the crazy world of Peter and Alyson White Igoe, Peter recently appeared on Shark Tank, where he made a deal with Dallas Mavericks’ owner Mark Cuban, who invested in his idea for a toothbrush that also tracks how many steps you’ve taken in a day.  Unfortunately, the deal Cuban made diluted Igoe so much the actual take-home profit barely covered the shipping costs of the toothbrush from China.  Nevertheless, I appreciate the entrepreneurial spirit!

2005

Alex Hornaday will be teaching a course on Culture Wars and the U.S. Supreme Court at Charles University in Prague, Czech Republic.

Brian London recently accepted a new position as senior employment counsel for Mueller Water Products in Atlanta.

Calhoun and Tamara Hipp welcomed their second son, Franklin Lane Hipp, on May 10, 2022. The family of four lives in Marietta, GA.

Eliza Schindler welcomed a baby boy, Waylon, on March 15, 2022. Eliza is keeping busy with Malin (4), Waylon, and her family snack company, Sun Barn, that launched in all Texas Central Market’s early this year.

Margaret Garner is one of three founding partners at her law firm, Katranis, Wald & Garner, PLLC, located in Fort Lauderdale where they focus on plaintiff property damage and general civil litigation cases. Since 2020, the firm has grown to 15 attorneys and more than 20 staff. She also serves on the board of The Arts Bridge Charity, a nonprofit that awards grants to professional visual and performance artists who have lost jobs or income due to COVID

2008

15th Reunion

Homecoming/Reunion Weekend

September 29 – 30, 2023

Aubrey Diaz Nelson and her husband, Lars ’09, along with their two sons have moved to Austin, TX, after almost 18 years in Memphis. “We’re grateful for the warm welcome from Jim Kingman ’09 and have enjoyed spending time with so many Rhodes Alumni in Austin,” she reports.

Emily Linden Bowden (above) reports her family adopted their daughter, Annabelle Grace Bowden, through foster care in May 2022. “She is happy and healthy, and we are thrilled to have an official little sister,” she writes.

Zac Hill moved to DC to cofound the Office of American Possibilities with former White House domestic policy advisors on both sides of the aisle. OAP has so far helped launch the resettlement platform Welcome.us, the gun safety initiative 24/7: A People’s Filibuster, the COVID Collaborative, the White House Legal Aid Interagency Roundtable, and a few other initiatives. He is also married to Maria Jose Cordero Lopez, who, as he reports “shares my love of eating too much, wearing too much linen, and never having children. Three weeks in, it’s pretty good so far!”

Alex McCulloch and his wife Magen welcomed Shepherd Brunson into the world on July 15. “Older siblings Emmett and Gwen are taking great care of him,” Alex reports.

Luke and Katie Henderson Archer of Washington, DC, welcomed the arrival of their second child, William, in March 2022.

Caroline Eley Creson and her husband, Beau, welcomed a baby girl, Anna, on June 22, rounding out their family of four, including toddler Cooper.

Alex and Lauren Brooks Foti still live in Roswell, GA, where they are raising their three children. Alex continues to work at Spunk, Inc. as an account executive, and Lauren continues to work as a physician associate but recently took a new job at Chacko Allergy, Asthma, and Sinus. “Life is good!” Lauren reports.

Katie Slimp Brunin and her husband, Greg, welcomed their third child, Helen Lucille “Nellie” Brunin, on June 4. She is named for two of her great-great-grandmothers.

2009

Jasmine Medley Gipson and her husband, Dr. Maurice Gipson, welcomed a Rhodes Class of 2044 hopeful, daughter Morgan Marie Gipson, on April 12, 2022, in Columbia, MO. Mama and baby are both doing well (if only their dog, Nova, were as excited).

Andrea Bell joined Qualcomm, Inc. in May 2022 as the senior community engagement specialist and executive director of the Qualcomm Foundation.

Hilarie Dahlhauser Samei just started a business teaching female body literacy, making herbal medicine, and selling wearable art; her business can be found at thewheelcycles.com.

Robert Goff married Laura Wise on September 3, 2022, in Birmingham, AL. Rhodes alums in attendance included Joe

Emily Linden Bowden ’08 and family

Shepherd Brunson McCulloch and siblimgs

Anna Creson

Renteria ’08, Laura Cross Renteria, Justin Hugon, Matt Kernodle, John Lentz ’08, Jennifer Long Winford ’10, Meredith York ’10, Natalie Chambers Coombs ’10, and Kelly Prak Ford ’11

Lauren Tull O’Neil and her husband, Robin ’11, welcomed their daughter, Helen Claire O’Neil, on March 19. Helen shares a birthday with their dear friend Allison Squires. e O’Neil’s are still living in Austin but are eagerly planning Helen’s rst trip to Memphis.

Natalie Alexandra Keller, daughter of Jenny Gernon Keller and husband, Andrew, was born on Saturday, August 27, 2022, at 9:18 AM in Denver, CO, weighing 8lb, 1oz, and 21” in length. Jenny and Andrew are so happy she is here!

and regulatory law, most recently serving as MLH’s regulatory counsel. Prior to joining MLH in 2019, she served as an attorney in the Healthcare Regulatory and Transactions Practice Group at Butler Snow LLP. Originally from Charlotte, NC, Kate has called Memphis home for 17 years. After getting her degree from Rhodes, she graduated cum laude from the Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law at the University of Memphis. She is a member of the American Health Law Association, the Tennessee Bar Association, and the Memphis Bar Association, and recently served as chair and president emeritus of the local Memphis Bar Association’s health law section.

2010

Daniel Wilkinson and his wife, Mary, had their rst baby on February 26, 2022, a girl named Israel Ann. Dan graduated from general surgery residency at St. Joseph Hospital in Denver, CO, on June 30, 2021, and is now in a cardiothoracic surgery fellowship at Albany Medical Center in Albany, NY. Dan says, “Long way from Memphis. Missing the BBQ.”

Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare has named Kate Mara Dowd senior vice president and chief legal o cer. In this role she will direct the Memphis-based integrated healthcare system’s legal department and risk management goals. Kate has a decade of experience specializing in health

Sammie Wicks was a panelist at the 2022 Eradicate Hate Global Summit in September. Sammie is a ten-year law enforcement professional who previously worked in various Memphis Police Department roles. Currently, he is assigned to the Aurora Police Department’s Crisis Response Team and spearheads the agency’s Targeted Violence Prevention Program. He has previously served as a member of the Colorado Human Tra cking Council Data and Research Task Force. He served as speaker and researcher at the University of Denver’s Human Tra cking Center and is currently a board member at the Laboratory to Combat Human Tra cking, leading its policy committee. He is also an indepen-

dent researcher focused on transnational organized crime in diaspora communities, terrorist propaganda, and violent social movements. His research has been published in Small Wars Journal, e Global Network on Extremism and Technology, e International Centre for Counter-Terrorism ( e Hague), and e International Institute for Counter-Terrorism (Israel), e African Jihad, and the Institute for Security Studies (Africa). In addition to a B.A. from Rhodes, Sammie holds an M.A. in international security from the Josef Korbel School of International Studies at the University of Denver with a Middle Eastern and North African Religious and Political ought specialization.

2011

Sarah Allen graduated from a fellowship in Minimally Invasive Gynecologic Surgery in summer ’22 at UPMC Magee-Womens Hospital in Pittsburgh, PA, where she has accepted a position as faculty. She lives in Pittsburgh with her husband Mitchell and dog, Margo.

Jessica Cowan joined the esteemed faculty at Rhodes this year! is fall and next spring, she is teaching the CS 141 course: Programming Fundamentals as a Visiting Assistant Professor within the

Mathematics and Computer Science Department. It was just 15 years ago that she attended commencement as a freshman, but this year she had the honor of experiencing the ceremony from the other side, as a faculty member. Roll Lynx Roll!

Natalie Keller, daughter of Jenny Gernon Keller ’09

Kate Dowd ’09

Jessica Cowan ’11 with David Caddle ’23, current RSG President

Carly Agre and Scott O’Hara ’10 welcomed baby boy Waylon last June. They live in Philadelphia, where Carly is a clinical social worker (providing therapy to adolescents experiencing psychosis), and Scott manages workforce development projects for city and state programs.

Evans Falgoust and his wife, Christine, welcomed their son, Hudson Joseph Falgoust, into the world on July 18, 2022.

and Emilia (2.5), welcomed their third baby girl, Margaret Jean, on June 16, 2022.

Grace Weil launched her business, Golden Thread, in January 2021—providing consulting services to organizations across the country. She and the rest of the Golden Thread team are proud to work primarily with abortion providers and reproductive healthcare organizations—including multiple Planned Parenthood affiliates and other organizations advocating for abortion access.

Heather Bishop Troupe is still living in the Houston area with her husband, Chris, and son, Griffin. Griffin started kindergarten this year and is excited to become a big brother soon! Heather is still working full time as an Ultrasound Technologist while also pursuing a Master of Science in Healthcare Management.

Greg and Meredith Palm still live in the Waco, TX, area and welcomed their first child, Miles Raymond, to this world on September 13. Everyone is well and adjusting to new life and being a family of three.

Nick Volgas recently left his long-time role with NIC to accept a software development manager role with Amazon Web Services IoT.  He will celebrate 10 years of marriage with Sarah (Henkel) Volgas ’10 in November and has two beautiful daughters: Riley (4 years old) and Emma (1.5 years old).  He and his family continue to call Little Rock home, enjoying the many opportunities for outdoor activities.

2012

Austin and Mandi Waits Freeman celebrated their eleventh anniversary this year, and their fifth year living in Dallas. Mandi is director of operations for the Phillips Foundation. Austin teaches courses for Houston Baptist University, The King’s College (New York), and for a classical school in Dallas. Publications this year include Theology and H.P. Lovecraft (Lexington Press) and Tolkien Dogmatics: Theology through Mythology with the Maker of Middle-earth (Lexham Press).

Lindsey Dortch Brock lives in Asheville, NC, with her husband and six-year-old daughter. Lindsey owns an outpatient psychotherapy group practice and authored After the Breakup: A Self Love Journal in late 2021. She dedicated this book to the legendary Rob Dove of the Rhodes  Counseling Center.

Jenni Frierson Couhig and her husband, Ben, moved to Houston, TX, where Jenni is working remotely for Warner Brothers Discovery as the director of audience measurement & insights.

Chris ’10 and Stephanie Parazak Eberle, along with daughters Josephine (4)

After having to postpone their wedding reception a couple times thanks to COVID, Emily Sellers and Kyle MacNair were finally able to celebrate with friends and family Memorial Day weekend in Kansas City, MO. In attendance were a number of Rhodes graduates including Emily’s sister, Laura Sellers ’08, and brother, Mark Sellers ’15. After the reception, Emily and Kyle enjoyed a long-delayed honeymoon in Hawaii, where they celebrated their two-year wedding anniversary and Emily’s birthday.

Hunter Chandler and his wife Charlotte welcomed their son, Augustus Chandler, in January 2021. Hunter and his family also moved to Greenville, SC, in 2021. Hunter currently works for Atrium Health as a leader in supply chain.

Evan Savage left his position at Georgia Tech last June and returned to Memphis where he accepted an opportunity at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, where he is a bioinformatics research scientist working under Dr. Anang Shelat in the Chemical Biology and Therapeutics division. The Shelat lab is primarily focused on exploiting weaknesses in multiple types of cancers and tumors, with a specific focus in targeting the DNA damage response in pediatric cancers. “My project is focused on leveraging machine learning approaches to observe and evaluate genomic scars—lesions on the genome characterized by defined patterns of mutations and/or structural variations. Our research involves training neural networks to identify patterns within these scars so that we can predict DDR deficits, and ultimately, guide therapy with existing drugs or identify new drug targets to pursue.”

Evans ’11 and Hudson Falgoust Austin

Rhodes Friends celebrate with Emily Sellers ’11.

Habitat for Humanity Saint Louis has announced Joshua Smith as their new director of construction. Joshua joined Habitat Saint Louis after founding, owning and operating his own construction and rehabilitation company, SmithCo. Contracting & Consulting, which opened in 2017. He has worked as a laborer, tradesman, and project manager in residential and commercial construction for over seven years before he started his own company. While at Rhodes, Joshua exhibited a passion for environmental studies, urban planning, and infrastructure, which grew into his graduate thesis and ultimately his BA degree. Now he will channel his passion for efficient and sustainable building practices

2014

Caroline Elbaum recently graduated from residency. She and her husband, Sam York (fellow liberal arts college grad— Bowdoin ’12) moved to Concord, NH, where she is a practicing OB/GYN.

Annabeth Hayes Dooley began a new job at the Tennessee State Library and Archives in Nashville, TN, as the exhibit coordinator.

Cade and Molly Laycock Grigsby welcomed their second child, Mary Grace Grigsby, on April 6, 2022. Big brother George loves having a little sister to boss around!

Joey ’13 and Sarah Bitler Miller welcomed their first child, Ellie Mae Miller, on February 1, 2022.

Rev. McKenna Lewellen was ordained in the Presbyterian Church (USA) and, in June 2022, accepted a call to serve as pastor of Maryland Presbyterian Church outside of Baltimore.

Jillian Labranche completed her Fulbright Scholarship in Sierra Leone and began fieldwork in Rwanda. In Sierra Leone, she teamed up with the U.S. Marines to teach a self-defense class to at-risk youth. She was also named a 2022-23 National Academy of Education Spencer Fellow.

In 2020, Joel Brown-Christenson started ViableEdu, a fintech-focused financial literacy company that hosts free virtual programming for students around the world through the sponsorship of various companies, nonprofits, educational institutions, and government entities. Joel reports

into the construction of new and rehabbed homes for Habitat home buyers.

2013

10th Reunion Homecoming/Reunion Weekend

September 29 – 30, 2023

On June 16, 2022, Kelsie Cox married Christopher Trent Brewer in St. Thomas, USVI. Kelsie met her future husband while she was at Rhodes and he was a medical student at UTHSC. “We got married at Villa Botanica in St. Thomas, and a few of my best friends from Rhodes attended, including Katelyn Harbison and Rene Sanchez. We are currently living in Chicago, IL.”

Joshua Smith ’12

Kelsie Cox ’13 and Christopher Trent Brewer

Joey’ 13, Sara ’14, and Ellie Mae Miller

that one of the program’s major standouts is Michael Jordan Pilgreen ’19, who has risen to senior engineer at BondCliQ,  another fintech startup.

Whitney Baskin married Andrew Touchstone in Tyler, TX in May 2022. The wedding party included Ellen Alpaugh, Tess Fairbanks, Georgia Loftis and Laird McIver

Lauren Miller Scott graduated from Vanderbilt University in August 2022 with an MSN in Nursing and Health Care

Leadership. Lauren has been working in the Rady Children’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Scripps La Jolla in San Diego, CA, as a charge nurse and advance life support nurse for the past four years.

On November 6, 2021, Abby Lewis McCarthy and Charles McCarthy ’13 celebrated one year of marriage with a wedding celebration in Tallahassee, FL. They were overjoyed to be joined by many Rhodes friends!

2017

Brynna Newkirk and Aaron Lynch were married May 21 in Columbus, OH. They are changing their names to their new combined name, Newlyn (so Mr. and Mrs. Aaron and Brynna Newlyn!)

2018

5th Reunion

Homecoming/Reunion Weekend

September 29 – 30, 2023

2020

Katherine Polster is the recipient of the JET (Japan Exchange Teaching Program) for the 2022-2023 academic year. She will serve as an assistant language teacher. Katherine was the recipient of a Fulbright U.S. Student Award for the 2021-2022 academic year. She served as an English teaching assistant in Taiwan. Katherine earned a bachelor’s degree in Chinese studies with a minor in education from Rhodes in 2020 and a master’s degree in urban education at Rhodes in 2021.

Jillian Labranche ’14 in Sierra Leone

Abby Lewis McCarthy and Charles McCarthy ’13

Clockwise from top right: Taylor Majewski ’18, Natalie Campbell ’18, Kiersten Samuels ’18, Aaron (Lynch) Newlyn ’17, Brynna (Newkirk) Newlyn ’17, Hailey Townsend ’15 (bridesmaid), Mason Levy ’15, Olivia Gacka ’17 (bridesmaid), and Caroline Reilly ’18.

in memoriam

’45 Mary Ann Banning Frazier of Memphis, March 25, 2022. She was the first woman president of the student body, president of Chi Omega Fraternity, and named “Miss Southwestern.”

’46 Frances Marie Hay of Memphis, June 16, 2022. She was a member of Chi Omega Fraternity.

’46 Warrene Buford Ivy of Greenville, MS, June 10, 2022. She was a member of Tri Delta Fraternity.

’47 Marjorie “Marje” Radford Andrews of Memphis, Sept. 17, 2022. She was a member of Chi Omega Fraternity.

’47 Mary Frances McDearman Daley of Fort Worth, TX, April 2, 2021. She was a member of the Kappa Delta Fraternity

’49 Doris Fenton Blew of Oklahoma City, OK, Aug. 20, 2022. She was a member of Tri Delta Fraternity.

’49 Mercer Reith Gewin of St. Joseph, MO, May 29, 2022. He was a member of Alpha Tau Omega Fraternity.

’50 Sara Burnette of Memphis, Aug. 17, 2022. She was a member of Kappa Delta Sorority.

’50 Patricia “Patty” Weaver Lawrence of Jackson, TN, May 5, 2022. She was a member of Chi Omega Fraternity. She is survived by her granddaughter, Rachel Walton ’12.

’50 Paul Stallings Mostert of Lexington, KY, May 6, 2022. He was inducted into Rhodes College Bellingrath Society.

’50 Ann Barrier Nelson of Fairhope, AL, May 15, 2021. She was a member of Chi Omega Fraternity.

’51 John Dudley Reese III of Dothan, AL, March 23, 2022. He was a member of Alpha Tau Omega Fraternity.

’52 Betty Tatum Harris of Shelby, NC, Dec. 31, 2020.

’52 Carroll Tuthill Minor of Knoxville, TN, May 23, 2022. She was a member of Chi Omega Fraternity.

’53 Eleanor Brown Weaver of Jackson, MS, July 23, 2022. She was a member of the Chi Omega Fraternity and was

To view full obituaries, please visit

https://news.rhodes.edu/memoriam or scan this QR code.

inducted into Phi Beta Kappa. She is survived by her daughter Julia Weaver ’85

’55 Mary Vernon Ware Eades of Nashville, TN, Aug. 11, 2022. She was a member of the Chi Omega Fraternity.

’55 Robert David Kaylor of Black Mountain, NC, April 20, 2022. He was a member of Sigma Nu Fraternity and was inducted into the Omicron Delta Kappa academic society.

’57 Jane Johnson Barton of Memphis, May 27, 2022.

’57 Jane Crutcher Williamson of Frechmans Bayou, AR, Dec. 19, 2021. She was a member of Kappa Delta Fraternity.

’56 Margaret “Peggy” Bennett Ross Templeton of Memphis, July 12, 2022. She is survived by Loyd Templeton IV ’23.

’57 Ruby Youngblood Fowinkle of Nashville, TN, June 23, 2022. She is survived by her daughters, Greta Louise Fowinkle ’81 and Frieda Fowinkle Warner ’85.

’57 Jane Burns Hosay of Virginia Beach, VA, July 8, 2022. She graduated Phi Beta Kappa and cum laude from Rhodes College.

’58 William “Tim” Latimer Moseley of Bay St. Louis, MS, July 29, 2022. He was a member of Sigma Nu Fraternity.

’58 Susan Adelaide McLean of Spanish Fort, AL July 15, 2022. She sang in the Southwestern Singers and was a member and president of Tri-Delta Sorority. She is survived by her husband Billy McLean ’56 and their 3 children,

Elizabeth McLean Butkus ’82, Susan McLean Haws ’85, and Nolan Stuart McLean ’89.

’60 Sandra Bain Fink of Baltimore, MD, July 9, 2022. She was a member of Tri Delta Sorority.

’60 Mrs. Karen Boyce Logan of Gilliam, LA, Aug. 18, 2022. Graduating cum laude, she was a member of the Kinney service program and Tri Delta Fraternity. She was also chosen as the sweetheart of Sigma Nu Fraternity. She is survived by her husband, Dan Logan ’59, her children, Susan Logan Huffman ’83, Stephen Logan ’90, and her grandchildren, including Caldwell Huffman’19.

’60 Margaret “Betty” Lowe of Madison, WI, March 20, 2019.

’60 Janice McTyier of Memphis, April 15, 2022. She graduated with Distinction

and was a member of the Alpha Omicron Pi Sorority.

’60 Jerald Francis Robinson Sr. of Blacksburg, VA, April 25, 2022. He was a member of Sigma Nu Fraternity.

’61 Geraldine Knight White of Mahomet, IL, April 23, 2022.

’62 Robert L. Barret of Charlotte, NC, June 25, 2022. He was a member of Kappa Alpha Fraternity and was inducted into the Omicron Delta Kappa academic society.

’63 Natalie Holt Wilson of Memphis, June 17, 2022.

’63 Susan Jane Smith of Chesterfield, MO, April 10, 2022.

’64 Ann Taylor Adams of Memphis, April 7, 2022. She was a member and president of Kappa Delta Sorority.

’64 Margaret Anne Denny Hicks of Shelby, NC, July 14, 2022.

Adrienne McMillan Burns Memorial Labyrinth

’64 Judith “Judy” Crow McColgan of Shreveport, LA, May 31, 2022. She a member of Chi Omega Fraternity. She is survived by her husband, Dr. William L. McColgan, Jr. ’64

’64 John C. Mehrling of Waynesville, NC, June 11, 2022. He was a member of Alpha Tau Omega Fraternity.

’65 Margaret “Anne” Partee Lorenz of Sewanee, TN, Aug. 29, 2020.

’66 Thomas Fontaine Gaines III of Chattanooga, TN, April 24, 2022. He was a member of Kappa Sigma Fraternity.

’66 Charles Griffith “Griff” Keyes of Little Rock, AR, June 10, 2022. He was a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon Fraternity and the track and crosscountry team.

’67 Albert A. Burk, Jr. of Memphis, TN, Sept. 7, 2022.

’68 Martha Elaine Rhodes of Penney Farms, FL, April 12, 2022. She was a member of the Kinney service program.

’69 Susanne “Sue” Bunch of Tallahassee, FL, Aug. 16, 2022. She was a member of Zeta Tau Alpha Sorority. She is survived by her husband, Morgan Bunch ’69.

’69 Dr. Kenneth Phelps Jr. of Lewisburg, TN, July 29, 2022. He was a member of Sigma Nu Fraternity and was inducted into the Omicron Delta Kappa academic society.

’71 Donna Kay Fisher of Memphis, Aug. 14, 2022. She was a member of Chi Omega Fraternity and graduated cum laude. She was also a member of the 1971 Mortar Board and Rhodes student government.

’71 Bouldin A. Marley Jr. of Clarksdale, MS, April 28, 2022. He was a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon Fraternity.

’72 Nancy Doris Ann Chadick Dale of Columbia, TN, Oct. 1, 2022. Nancy was a member of the Alpha Omicron Pi Fraternity, graduated cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa.

’74 Elisabeth “Betsy” Gernert Rosenblatt of Jackson, MS, Aug. 7, 2022. She was a member of Chi Omega Fraternity.

’75 Ira Harrison “Harry” Moore, of Austin, TX, July 4, 2022. He graduated cum laude and was a member of Sigma Nu Fraternity.

’78 Janice Rene Greer of Las Vegas, NV, Sept. 10, 2022.

’80 Stephen Guerry Leonard of Decatur, AL, March 28, 2021.

’83 Lewis K. Kalmbach of Shreveport, LA, July 17, 2022. He was a member of Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity and the Rhodes cheerleading squad.

’83 Clayton Caldwell Singleton of Memphis, Sept. 28, 2022. Clayton was a member of Rhodes Student Government.

’86 Michelle M. Henkel of Atlanta, GA, May 3, 2022. She was a member of Kappa Delta sorority, women’s basketball team, and the Kinney service program. She is survived by her brothers Michael Henkel ’79 (Frances ’79), Tim Henkel ’81, a nd Keith ’83 (Linda ’83)

’90 Michael S. Safly of Little Rock, AR, April 1, 2022. He was a member of Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity.

’92 John Patrick Gamble of Memphis, April 22, 2022. He was a member of Alpha Tau Omega Fraternity.

’92 Jane Ann Lampton Moore, MD of Jackson, MS, April 1, 2022. She was a member of Chi Omega Fraternity.

’92 Tracy Castleberry Tilson of Oak Ridge, TN, Feb. 11, 2022. She was a member of Alpha Omicron Pi Sorority.

WHY I GIVE TO RHODES

“I was able to remain at Rhodes due to grants, scholarships, and subsidized loans. ey funded my dream of graduating from college and becoming a veterinarian. Even as a student, I knew that I would pay it forward someday. at desire and intention has become concrete in our recent estate planning by establishing a scholarship to help young women attending Rhodes without parental financial support who are pursuing a career in the sciences.”

THE VALERIE GRAY JORDAN ’88 ENDOWED SCHOLARSHIP

For more information on making a gift to support Rhodes faculty, staff, and students, please contact Amanda Tamburrino ’98, Senior Director of Development, at 901-843-3850 or Tamburrino@rhodes.edu.

Val Jordan and her husband, Tom, have two children and live in Pennsylvania, where she is a small animal veterinarian. She loves to travel, especially on service trips to Haiti. While at Rhodes, where she earned a bachelor’s in biology, Val was a member of Kappa Delta and volunteered with the Kinney Program.

FALL/WINTER 2022