THE MAGAZINE OF RHODES COLLEGE SUmmer 2014 TRADI TION & INNOVATION Scholar-Mentor Relationship Remains Strong Remembering President Emeritus James H. Daughdrill, Jr. 01Cover_Summer2014_final.indd 1 7/8/14 2:23 PM SUMMER 2014 • RHODES rhodes.edu Cover2_RhodesVisionSpread.indd 1 7/10/14 2:03 PM P O S BY JU H T O S T IN F O l X B U RK S 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 effective 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 staff 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 rhodes.edu SUMMER 2014 • R H O D E S 1 Cover2_RhodesVisionSpread.indd 2 7/11/14 10:46 AM SUMMER 2014 VOLUME 21 • NUMBER 2 is published three times a year by Rhodes College 2000 N. Parkway Memphis, TN 38112 as a service to all alumni, students, parents, faculty, staff, and friends of the college. Summer 2014— Volume 21, Number 2 EDITOR Lynn Conlee 14 17 20 23 21 26 GRAPHIC DESIGNERS Larry Ahokas Bob Shatzer PRODUCTION EDITORS 4 A Message from the President 48 Alumni News Jana Files ’78 Class Notes, In Memoriam Charlie Kenny 6 Campus News Justin McGregor Ken Woodmansee Briefs on campus happenings 72 Rhodes & Beyond STUDENT EDITOR Caroline Ponseti ’15 COPY EDITOR Anna Acerra CONTRIBUTORS THE MAGAZINE OF RHODES COLLEGE SUMMER 2014 Richard J. Alley Stacey Greenberg ’94 Special Alumni Tributes Michelle Parks Lesley Young 15 Ivy Thompson ’12/ 33 Beth Simpson ’58/ Elisha Vego Dr. Katherine White Dr. Laurence Kinney CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS Justin Fox Burks 18 Linda Odom ’84/ 36 Isabell VanMerlin ’66/ Dionne Chalmers Dr. Rodney Grunes Prof. Lawrence Anthony Trey Clark ’89 TRADITION & Jamie Harmon INNOVATION Scholar-Mentor Relationship Remains Strong 21 Ryley Erhardt ’12/ 39 Dev Butler ’84/ Lindsey Lissau Remembering President Emeritus James H. Daughdrill, Jr. Dr. Mark Behr Dr. Terry Hill Corey Nolen EDITOR EMERITUS Cover Photo 24 Dan Wright ’08/ 42 Dixie D. Johnson ’66/ Martha Shepard ’66 Justin Fox Burks Dr. Marshall Gramm Prof. Phyllis Tickle INFORMATION 901-843-3000 27 Carolina Sanchez ’12/ 45 Dr. J. Patrick Rhamey, Jr. ’06/ ALUMNI OFFICE Dr. Stephen Ceccoli Dr. Andrew Michta and 1 (800) 264-LYNX Dr. Steve Wirls 30 John M. King ’09/ ADMISSION OFFICE 1 (800) 844-LYNX Dr. Mark Muesse 2 SUMMER 2014 • RHODES rhodes.edu ToC_2.indd 2 7/10/14 2:11 PM 29 32 35 38 41 44 8 The Daughdrill Years 12 Tradition and Innovation 14 Dr. Katherine White ’97 32 Dr. Kendra Hotz and Dr. Elizabeth Thomas 17 Dr. Jon Russ 35 Dr. Mona Kreitner 20 Dr. Vanessa Rogers 38 Dr. Charles McKinney 23 Dr. Seth Rudy 41 Dr. Amy Jasperson 26 Dr. Elizabeth Bridges 44 Dr. Esen Kirdis 29 Dr. Mark Newman rhodes.edu SUMMER2014•RHODES 3 ToC_2.indd 3 7/10/14 2:12 PM A MessAge froM the President t he Campaign for rhodes ne of the great pleasures of serving as president is engaging in conversation with alumni and hearing how their Rhodes experiences shaped Otheir lives. Whether a member of the class of 2014 or a Golden Lynx, alumni repeatedly reference the challenging yet supportive environment provided by their professors. How faculty inspire students to reach their full potential remains the core of our excellence at Rhodes. They are more than dynamic teachers and more than accomplished scholars. They are gifted teacher-scholars who are totally committed to the success of their students. I understand how powerful the influence of Rhodes faculty can be, as I also had a life-changing moment in the company of a Rhodes professor. It happened many years ago as an undergraduate student at the college I I remember for the first time responding with hopes attended. It was late in the semester, and a few other for a career in higher education. Until that time my students and I were invited to have dinner and dialogue answer had always been to become a minister. Reflecting with one of my college’s former English professors, Jack on that important encounter over the years, I cannot Farris—the poet, novelist, and playwright who shaped help wondering how many other exceptional Rhodes the lives of so many Southwestern students. professors have inspired students to self-reflect and find their true life passion. Whether it’s walking across After a couple of hours of storytelling and great campus, visiting a classroom, or sharing a meal in the conversation, Professor Farris asked us about our refectory, one can see how faculty-student interactions are hopes and dreams for the future. As he turned to me, so special and why they are cherished for a lifetime. Above: Theater Professor Betty Ruffin poses with students. Right: Professor Jack Farris 4 SUMMER 2014 • RHODES rhodes.edu Message From the President.indd 4 7/8/14 1:13 PM might be able to instill the same love for political science in my students that they instilled in me.” We continue to work diligently to recruit and retain the very best faculty. Through our Campaign for Rhodes, 12 new faculty chairs and professorships have been created. Many of you have also established funds to support innovative faculty teaching and research projects, as well as student fellowships that ensure that our students are able to work in depth with their faculty mentors. We must maintain our commitment to supporting faculty teaching and scholarly pursuits—it is with this support that special faculty-student learning This issue profiles a few of our current faculty and how opportunities and relationships are fostered and sustained they motivate our students to be their best. You will long after graduation. My thanks to all of you who are read alumni narratives about the life-changing moments investing in our faculty, who remain the heart of the with their memorable professors. Beth Simpson, class Rhodes experience. of ’58, learned about deep compassion for others from Dr. Laurence Kinney. Linda Odom, class of ’84, has practiced law for 26 years due to Professor Rodney Grunes’ secret mission to get her a full scholarship to law school. Dr. J. Patrick Rhamey, Jr., class of ’06, says of Dr. Andrew Michta and Dr. Steve Wirls, “I hope that I Contact Vice President of Development Jenna Goodloe Wade at 901-843-3850 for more information. rhodes.edu SUMMER 2014 • R H O D E S 5 Message From the President.indd 5 7/8/14 1:14 PM Campus News COREY NOLEN DIONNE CHALMERS Left: Isabel Buonopane ’14 Above: Teddy Huerta ’15 Goldwater Scholar Fulbright Awards Carlos “Teddy” Huerta, a junior biology major from Rhodes graduate Isabel Buonopane '14, a religious studies major and gender and Dickson, TN, recently was selected as a Goldwater sexuality studies minor from Marietta, GA, will work in Turkey 2014-2015 as Scholar for the 2014-2015 recipient of a Fulbright U.S. Student Award. academic year. Huerta has been conducting research “I will be teaching English to Turkish students and serving as a cultural with Dr. Stacey Schultz- ambassador for the United States,” says Buonopane. “While living and teaching in Cherry at St. Jude Children’s Turkey, I hope to volunteer at a women’s shelter or women’s advocacy organization. Research Hospital. The one- I also hope to join some kind of volunteer environmental group or volunteer at a year scholarship will cover the local garden or farm, depending on where I am assigned to live.” cost of tuition, fees, books, and room and board up to a Rhodes alumna Katie Klein, who graduated in 2013 with a BA in international maximum of $7,500 per year. studies and a minor in religious studies, has been selected for a 2014-2015 Fulbright U.S. Student Award to Taiwan. Klein, who is from Starkville, MS, will serve as a Established by Congress in cultural ambassador for the United States while teaching English and American 1986 to honor Senator Barry M. Goldwater, the program history and culture to Taiwanese students. She will be stationed in Kinmen, provides awards to highly Taiwan, just off the coast of mainland China. qualified college students who intend to pursue careers in The Fulbright Program, America’s highly prestigious international educational science, mathematics, and exchange sponsor, is administered by the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of engineering. Students cannot Educational and Cultural Affairs. Established in 1946 under legislation introduced apply for the scholarship but by Arkansas Senator J. William Fulbright, the program awards grants to students, rather must be nominated scholars, administrators, and professionals to study, teach, lecture, or conduct by their institutions based on research abroad. their potential for scientific research. 6 SUMMER 2014 • RHODES rhodes.edu Campus News.indd 6 7/8/14 1:15 PM PHOTOS BY JUSTIN FOX BURKS Clockwise from top left: Benjamin Evans ’14; Phillip H. McNeill; Sallie Handley ’14; Sally Jones Heinz; Landon Webber ’14 Commencement Awards Clarence Day Awards Annual awards were presented at the 165th Dr.