The Magazine of Rhodes College • Fall 2008 Jameson Miller Jones 1916-2008 FALL 2008 Contents VOLUME 15 • NUMBER 3 2 Paying the Piper The Campaign for Rhodes 6 Respected Scholar Is New Academic Leader 2 A profi le of Michael Drompp 8 Examining the Environment The new Environmental Studies Program 12 Open Rhodes A look at new student orientation 14 The Well-Connected How Rhodes people look after Rhodes people 6 21 Alumni News Class Notes, In Memoriam 40 President’s Page A message from President William E. Troutt On the Cover “Self–Portrait,” Jameson Miller Jones ’36 Professor of Moral Philosophy, 8 Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean of the College, 1955-1971 14 The college fondly remembers scholar, administrator and artist Jameson Jones, who passed away August 25, 2008, at the age of 92. His teaching inspired students not just to think, but to probe, to question, to stretch in directions they hadn’t before imagined, for which alumni thank him to this day. President Peyton Rhodes asked him to become dean by declaring, “I look on myself as shepherd of the Southwestern fl ock, and I need you for my crook.” Jones accepted the offer with characteristic grace, good humor and his seemingly ever-present smile, serving, himself, as a good shepherd to the faculty for 16 years. This issue of the magazine is devoted to the many ways in which Rhodes people— students, faculty, alumni and friends—are connected. Dean Jones was all of those, a model for us all. —Watercolor from the collection of the Jameson Miller Jones Family Online is published three times a year by Rhodes College, 2000 N. Parkway, Memphis, TN 38112 Visit rhodes.edu to fi nd current campus, alumni and athletics as a service to all alumni, students, parents, news, upcoming events and much more. faculty, staff and friends of the college. Fall 2008—Volume 15, Number 3 Get up-to-the-minute news with a RSS feed— EDITOR Go to rhodes.edu/6208.asp Martha Hunter Shepard ’66 GRAPHIC DESIGNERS Larry Ahokas See more at rhodes.edu/magazine Robert Shatzer Rhodes Online offers Web-only content extras— CONTRIBUTORS Visit rhodes.edu/magazine to see these special Justin Fox Burks, Trey Clark ’89, features: Daney Daniel Kepple, Marci Deshaies Woodmansee ’90 LETTERS TO THE EDITOR: Slide Show Please address postal correspondence to: From the magazine article, “The Well-Connected”—see students’ Martha H. Shepard, Editor, Rhodes Magazine, costume designs for the upcoming Opera Memphis production of Rhodes College, 2000 N. Parkway, “Scott Joplin and Treemonisha” Memphis, TN 38112-1690. E-mail: [email protected] Phone: (901) 843-3544 Fax: (901) 843-3579 CLASS NOTES: Please send all Class Notes including marriages, births and obituaries to: Alumni Offi ce, Rhodes College, 2000 N. Parkway, Memphis, TN 38112-1690. Phone: (901) 843-3845 Fax: (901) 843-3474. E-mail: [email protected] Profi les RHODES ALUMNI OFFICE: • A close-up of Michael Drompp, Dean of the Faculty and Vice 1 (800) 264-LYNX President for Academic Affairs RHODES ADMISSIONS OFFICE: 1 (800) 844-LYNX • What the new Environmental Studies postdocs are teaching this semester POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: RHODES, 2000 North Parkway, Campus News Memphis, TN 38112-1690 • Gail Streete Receives Jameson M. Jones Award CHANGE OF ADDRESS: • New Full-Time Faculty Make an Impressive Roster Please mail the completed form below and label from this issue of RHODES to: • A Standing Ovation for Ostrander Award Winners from Alumni Offi ce, Rhodes College, 2000 North Rhodes Parkway, Memphis, TN 38112-1690. • The Newest Class on the Block Name • Lartigue-Ndiaye ’88 Honored with Jefferson Star Street • Rhodes Radio Heard Around (Mid)Town! City State Zip Talk Back Home Phone Business Phone Look for the Talk Back feature at the end of online articles. Send us your comments and view other reader responses. E-mail Employer Title Paying the Piper Support for Teaching and Learning at Rhodes By Daney Daniel Kepple Photography by Justin Fox Burks aculty dedicated to undergraduate teaching is one of foundations, parents and trustees have provided generous FRhodes’ greatest strengths. Alumni from the 1940s support of the academic program at Rhodes. The gifts and to the class of 2008 attest that their Rhodes experience is bequests, all aimed at attaining the Rhodes Vision, benefi t shaped by our outstanding faculty. Teaching, not limited a wide variety of departments along with an eclectic array of to the classroom, permeates the campus through regular innovations and programs. one-on-one exchanges between faculty and students. The The Virginia Ballou McGehee Chair in Muslim- frequent interaction enables faculty to engage students in Christian Relations honors an alumna of Rhodes College all aspects of their particular discipline, including their and aims to enable a student to work closely with an research, and results in lifelong friendships. A primary goal outstanding member of the Rhodes faculty. The funds of the Campaign for Rhodes is to ensure that our faculty support a distinguished faculty member’s research and and staff have the talent, time and resources to inspire and course development as well as the work of a student research involve our students in meaningful study, research and associate who can contribute to and benefi t from working service. Alumni, parents, foundations and friends clearly closely with the faculty member. The current occupant recognize the value of faculty contributions, and they is Professor John Kaltner who says, “In addition to the have expressed their appreciation through gifts to support funding for my research which is, of course, very welcome, specifi c endeavors. the best thing about the chair is that it allows me to work Most visible is the Paul Barret Jr. Library which has with talented students as a mentor and collaborator. Lars transformed the center of campus and provides a place Nelson, a Religious Studies and History double major, is my for faculty and students to plan their collaborations and research assistant this year, and I have thoroughly enjoyed share news of progress along the way. The renovations and working with him.” addition to the McCoy Theatre made possible by the Harry The Jameson M. Jones Outstanding Faculty Service B. McCoy Foundation has reinvigorated all of the arts on Award, also in support of the Rhodes Vision’s Student campus by providing space for theatre faculty to be housed Learning Imperative, has been endowed by Dr. John under one roof as well as additional rehearsal space for Gladney ’74 to continue the tradition of honoring faculty upcoming performances. In addition to these gifts, alumni, service at Rhodes at Opening Convocation each year. { 2 } F A L L 2 0 0 8 • R H O D E S rhodes.edu Loretta Jackson-Hayes, assistant professor of Chemistry “Members of the faculty serve Rhodes in many ways that The Martin-Kragh Faculty Development Fund for go beyond formal teaching duties and scholarship,” notes Biology and Chemistry was established by parents Steve Gladney, mentioning in particular academic advising and Nancy Martin in hope of perpetuating the close and oversight of the academic program. All members learning and working relationship their son Stuart ’08 had of the Rhodes faculty are eligible to receive the award. working in the laboratory of chemistry professor Loretta Nominations are considered by a committee comprising Jackson-Hayes. primarily faculty members and members of the Offi ce of “When we came for Parents’ Weekend, my son Stuart Academic Affairs. Recipients have included Professors John wanted us to meet one his professors, Dr. Loretta Jackson- Katlner, Tim Huebner and, most recently, Gail Streete. Hayes,” Steve Martin recalls. “We were expecting a quick rhodes.edu F A L L 2 0 0 8 • R H O D E S { 3 } Tim Huebner, associate professor of History handshake, but we stayed in her lab for nearly an hour The fi rst provides support for faculty in all stages of their listening to her and Stuart describe their research project. careers to grow professionally. Benefi ciaries have included I’m sure it is every parent’s dream to see a son or daughter so professors Tim Huebner and Lynn Zastoupil of the History excited to work on a fascinating project under the direction Department; Jennifer Brady, English; and David Jeter, of a great mentor.” Chemistry. The fund provides support for a chemistry or biology The most recent Mellon program provides funding to student to conduct research in the laboratory of a faculty expand the Environmental Sciences program to a much mentor. more broadly defi ned Environmental Studies program (see The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation established two story on page 8). The Environmental Sciences program, programs that benefi t the Rhodes academic program. which appeals to students in Mathematics, Chemistry, { 4 } F A L L 2 0 0 8 • R H O D E S rhodes.edu Biology and Economics, is broadening its focus to include “This support is gratifying recognition of the important environmental policy and will be attractive to students work our students do in the community,” Kirby says. “It interested in areas such as Political Science, International also encourages us to document Rhodes’ success stories Studies, Business or Economics with career interests in and disseminate the information to other programs and environmental law, ethics, politics or economics. community members. We have begun publication of a “Emerging from this program, our students can position Community Journal to accomplish that goal. The fi rst one themselves to be leaders in addressing some of the world’s deals with community policing and has been very well most pressing issues,” says Professor David Kesler, who is received.” chairing the effort.