2011 in Review
As Thanksgiving approaches, Carole and I are once again reminded of how grateful we are to be a part of this wonderful college community. There is so much for which we give thanks. Over the past year this included:
Fall Enrollment. The college enrolled a record class of 554 first-year students coming from 37 states and 9 other countries. We are thankful for the energy and potential they bring to us, but recognize that many of them selected Rhodes due to the work of many of you. As part of our I am One, I am Rhodes initiative, parents and alumni welcomed them into their homes, made phone calls and hosted and attended recruitment events around the country.
Student Achievement. Daniel Williford ’11, Rhodes Phi Beta Kappa Prize recipient, won the American Historical Association’s Raymond J. Cunningham Prize for the outstanding undergraduate paper. Algernon Sydney Sullivan recipient John Pevy ′11 was named the college′s first National Congressional Hunger Fellow. Anna Laymon ’11 was awarded the Rotary Ambassadorial Scholarship for study in Melbourne, Australia and Mikkel Quam ’09 was awarded the Rotary Ambassadorial Scholarship for study in Germany this year. Ryan Carroll ’12 received the Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship for further study in mathematics, and first-year student Elizabeth Ross was recently recognized in USA Today for her work in developing a new technology for diabetes patients.
Rhodes was one of only two Division III colleges with two recipients of the prestigious NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship-- baseball pitcher Hunter Chandler ’11, a Phi Beta Kappa Economics & Business major who graduated summa cum laude, and runner Sandy Henin ’11, a Biology major graduating cum laude, receiving First Team All-American honors in the 800 meter run. Team accomplishments include the Women’s Cross-Country team’s third consecutive trip to the NCAA meet and the Women’s Field Hockey team’s third consecutive SCAC title and second trip to the NCAA tournament. Rhodes student athletes ranked Number One on the SCAC Honor Roll with 105 student athletes exceeding a GPA of over 3.25.
The Academic Program. The Rhodes faculty added several new members to their ranks. This incoming “class” included four senior hires:
- Dr. Geoff Bakewell joined the college as our new director of the Search Program and professor of Greek and Roman Studies.
- Dr. Jonathan Judaken was named as the college’s first holder of the Spence Wilson Chair in the Humanities.
- Dr. John Murray was named the J. R. Hyde III Professor of Political Economy.
- Dr. Elizabeth Thomas will join the Department of Psychology in January as holder of the Plough Chair in Urban Studies and director of the Urban Studies Program.
The Campus. As the college continues to follow its Academic Space Master Plan, the Department of History moved from Clough Hall to Buckman Hall--joining the departments of Economics, Commerce and Business, Political Science, and International Studies. Our new residence halls and refectory renovations are progressing on time and on budget and are scheduled to open next August.
Fiscal Health. The college also ended its 38th consecutive year of balanced operating results. Last spring our financial position was reviewed by the two major credit rating agencies: Moody’s—A1 and Standard and Poor’s—A+. At a time when credit downgrades are becoming all too common in higher education, corporate America, state government and even our federal government, we are grateful for this affirmation. While investment markets have been volatile, our endowment grew by over $31 million in the fiscal year ending June 30. Giving to the college last year exceeded $17 million, and the Annual Fund increased in dollars as well as by 3% in alumni participation.
It is rewarding to watch our students grow and learn in so many ways. It is especially pleasing when our students are recognized by others for what they accomplish at Rhodes. For the second consecutive year, Newsweek named Rhodes as America’s Most Service-Oriented College . This national endorsement reinforces how our students connect what they learn in the classroom with their experiences beyond the gates. We were also pleased that Forbes again cited Rhodes as having one of America’s most beautiful college campuses, and Kiplinger recognized our work to ensure we provide one of America′s best college values.
No publication or ranking, however, can capture the selfless giving that so many of you shared in support of I am One, I am Rhodes. We are thankful for your willingness to recruit new students; to teach, advise, mentor and provide opportunities for current students through internships, research, fellowships, service projects and career development; to assist recent alumni with their career paths; and to provide financial support.
Carole and I wish you and yours the happiest of Thanksgivings.