Rhodes College Department of English

Rhodes College is proud to announce that Jennifer M. Collins, an inspiring leader, beloved educator and current Judge James Noel Dean and Professor of Law at Southern Methodist University’s Dedman School of Law will be the College’s 21st president, succeeding Interim President Carroll Stevens who assumed office July 1, 2021.

Learn more about Rhodes’ next president here: rhodes.edu/presidentelect

Congratulations to English major alumna J. Bailey Hutchison ‘13 on her forthcoming debut poetry collection! Winner of the 2022 Miller Williams Prize, “GUT” is available for pre-order through the University of Arkansas Press.

Congratulations to English major alumna J. Bailey Hutchison ‘13 on her forthcoming debut poetry collection! Winner of the 2022 Miller Williams Prize, “GUT” is available for pre-order through the University of Arkansas Press.

It's a wonderful autumn day on campus!

Humanities graduates are happy with their lives, survey says

Humanities graduates are happy with their lives, survey says A new survey found that more than 90 percent of graduates are happy with their lives, despite all the pundits who say they shouldn’t be.

The poetry reading by Adrian Matejka was wonderful! He signed many copies of his books "Somebody Else Sold the World" and "Standing on the Verge & Maggot Brain". The Rhodes College Department of English thanks him for spending time with our students.

8 Things Hiring Managers Look for in English Majors

8 Things Hiring Managers Look for in English Majors Yes, your English major sells.

Even President Diehl has the spooky season spirit.

Happy Halloween, Lynx. 🎃🐾

Can't get enough of the Rhodes Department of English? Come follow us on Instagram!

We have launched a new Instagram account to share happenings within our department and showcase our story.

Click here to follow:
https://www.instagram.com/rhodes_english/

Can't get enough of the Rhodes Department of English? Come follow us on Instagram!

We have launched a new Instagram account to share happenings within our department and showcase our story.

Click here to follow:
https://www.instagram.com/rhodes_english/

Rhodes College Portal | Home

https://jobs.rhodes.edu/
The English Department and Africana Studies Program at Rhodes College seek to hire a tenure-track Assistant Professor in African American Literature beginning August 2022. This position is part of a cluster hire, and the successful candidate will be among three new faculty members contributing to the Africana Studies program. The successful candidate’s home department (administratively and for tenure and promotion review) will be English with a joint appointment in Africana Studies. However, the College will be open to the possibility of the home program being Africana Studies with a joint appointment in English. The successful candidate will offer courses in the English Department and the Africana Studies Program, including Introduction to Africana Studies. Teaching load is 3/2. Many of these courses will be cross-listed, and there is the opportunity to develop courses in both areas. Applicants should demonstrate a commitment to teaching and conducting research in a liberal arts environment. Rhodes College believes that diversity and inclusion are critical to our success as an institution, and we seek to recruit, develop, and retain the most talented people from a diverse candidate pool. Furthermore, Rhodes College is committed to supporting the work-life balance of its faculty. Qualifications: Ph.D. in English and/or African American/Africana Studies, with a specialty in African American Literature, clear evidence of teaching excellence, and a strong record of and/or significant potential for peer-reviewed scholarly publications.

Rhodes College Portal | Home Founded in 1848, Rhodes College is a private, residential, undergraduate college located in the heart of historic midtown Memphis, Tennessee. We aspire to graduate students with a lifelong passion for learning, compassion for others, and the ability to translate academic study and personal concern i...

At 6, he ran as classmates played 'Let's get the Black boy.' Today, at Rhodes College, he's standing up

Kofi Whitehead, Rhodes College Men of Distinction President and English major, speaks out about the Rhodes College Administration’s response to a racist incident at Rhodes College.

At 6, he ran as classmates played 'Let's get the Black boy.' Today, at Rhodes College, he's standing up When a racist incident was reported on campus, Rhodes student leader Kofi Whitehead demanded the college speak up, too.

Notes from Flyover Country: Caki Wilkinson’s “The Survival Expo”

Notes from Flyover Country: Caki Wilkinson’s “The Survival Expo” Rhodes professor’s third poetry volume explores hope, fortune, and Elvis Week.

Congratulations to our own Rhodes College Associate Professor of English and Director of Creative Writing, Caki Wilkinson! Her new book "The Survival Expo" has been reviewed by New York Times literary critic, Stephanie Burt. Read the review at: https://www.nytimes.com/2021/09/09/books/review/four-new-poetry-books-mine-their-authors-pasts-for-music-and-meaning.html?referringSource=articleShare

Congratulations to our own Rhodes College Associate Professor of English and Director of Creative Writing, Caki Wilkinson! Her new book "The Survival Expo" has been reviewed by New York Times literary critic, Stephanie Burt. Read the review at: https://www.nytimes.com/2021/09/09/books/review/four-new-poetry-books-mine-their-authors-pasts-for-music-and-meaning.html?referringSource=articleShare

Snoop Dogg wants you to read your college syllabus I Cameo

Reminder...

Snoop Dogg wants you to read your college syllabus I Cameo Going back to school looks different this year but one thing that hasn't changed is students still need to READ THE SYLLABUS! Watch how Snoop Dogg gets Unive...

Our Commons Room cactus bloom!

Our Commons Room cactus bloom!

Timeline Photos

Just in time for summer, happy pub day to The Survival Expo by Caki Wilkinson! Natalie Shapero calls it “wry and biting, glorious and mournful, indelibly musical and deeply, deeply smart.”
🐜🐜🐜
http://ow.ly/M1iw50EUopv
#summer #southern #poetry #currentlyreading

English professor Caki Wilkinson's third book of poems, "The Survival Expo", will be published at the end of this month (6/29). If you pre-order from Novel bookstore in Memphis, she will sign your copy! Novel can ship books for out-of-town people, too.

She'll be celebrating with a virtual book launch at 6 PM central time on Tuesday, June 29. Memphis poets Marcus Wicker and Karyna McGlynn will be reading with her, and you can register for the event here.
https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_cGFS371RQjCYyR9ZdJrPnQ

Pre-order link: https://www.novelmemphis.com/book/9780892555338
Book launch registration: https://www.novelmemphis.com/event/novel-home-caki-wilkinson-marcus-wicker-karyna-mcgly

English professor Caki Wilkinson's third book of poems, "The Survival Expo", will be published at the end of this month (6/29). If you pre-order from Novel bookstore in Memphis, she will sign your copy! Novel can ship books for out-of-town people, too.

She'll be celebrating with a virtual book launch at 6 PM central time on Tuesday, June 29. Memphis poets Marcus Wicker and Karyna McGlynn will be reading with her, and you can register for the event here.
https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_cGFS371RQjCYyR9ZdJrPnQ

Pre-order link: https://www.novelmemphis.com/book/9780892555338
Book launch registration: https://www.novelmemphis.com/event/novel-home-caki-wilkinson-marcus-wicker-karyna-mcgly

Scott Holmes named new Tuscaloosa city attorney

Congratulations to Scott Holmes, Rhodes College English major alumnus!

Scott Holmes named new Tuscaloosa city attorney Scott Holmes, who has worked in the city of Tuscaloosa's legal department since 2014, has been named Tuscaloosa's new city attorney.

Profs. Larkins and Newstok Receive 2021 Clarence Day Awards | Rhodes News

Congratulations to Dr. Larkin and to our very own Dr. Scott Newstok! Well-deserved!

Profs. Larkins and Newstok Receive 2021 Clarence Day Awards | Rhodes News The 2021 Clarence Day Awards for Outstanding Teaching and for Outstanding Research and Creative Activity are awarded to Dr. Brian Larkins and Dr. Scott Newstok, respectively. The Clarence Day Awards, presented to two faculty members each year, are two of the college’s highest honors for its facult...

We had so much fun celebrating our seniors tonight. Congratulations, Class of 2020 and Class of 2021!

Celebrate English major alumni, Juan Roncal '13!

May 3-7 is Teacher Appreciation Week. Please join us as we celebrate our alumni educators!

The pandemic was especially difficult for teachers everywhere, as many had to move their work online, or convert to a hybrid format, while continuing to act as support systems for their students and keeping them engaged from afar.

Today we have Juan Roncal ’13, a 4th grade teacher at Grace St. Luke's Episcopal School in Memphis, TN, a position he has held for five years.

Thank you for all your work, Juan! #ThankaTeacher

Congratulations to our 2021 Student Award winners! Awards were presented on April 30th during the awards convocation at Rhodes College.

Shelby Seese - Cynthia Marshall Award
Madison Zickgraf - John R. Benish Award for Excellence in the Study of English
Benjamin Reynolds - Jane Donaldson Kepple First-Year Student English Essay Prize
Kathryn Langley - Jane Donaldson Kepple Sophomore English Essay Prize
Abigail Morici - Jane Donaldson Kepple Senior English Essay Prize
Natalie Smith - Jane Donaldson Kepple Scholarly Essay Prize
Thomas Hayden - Allen Tate Creative Writing Award – Poetry
Abigail Morici - Allen Tate Creative Writing Award –Prose
Catherine Dillon - Anne Howard Bailey Prize for Creative Writing

Shaliz Barzani ’21 Awarded Distinguished Fellowship to Work for Global Crop Diversity Trust | Rhodes News

Congratulations Shaliz!

Shaliz Barzani ’21 Awarded Distinguished Fellowship to Work for Global Crop Diversity Trust | Rhodes News Senior English major Shaliz Barzani has been awarded The Steve and Riea Lainoff Crop Trust Fellowship in Honor of Cary Fowler. The fellowship is made possible through the generosity of Steve and Riea Lainoff, parents of Rhodes graduates Brian Lainoff ’11 and Mark Lainoff ’15. As a fellow, Barzan...

Announcing a Leadership Shift at Inside Memphis Business

Congratulations to English major alumnus Sam Cicci "15.
https://memphismagazine.com/business/announcing-a-leadership-shift-at-inside-memphis-business/

Announcing a Leadership Shift at Inside Memphis Business Samuel X. Cicci will take over from Jon Sparks as editor of IMB, effective May 1. Sparks will stay on with Contemporary Media.

For Emma Thames ’21, The Path to Becoming a Better Physician Begins in the Humanities | Rhodes News

https://news.rhodes.edu/stories/emma-thames-21-path-becoming-better-physician-begins-humanities?fbclid=IwAR3YUDQ7yRPa_S9-43Zi3b31kOKo_p1AtWv6Qu5rn5yXtpVCbz0fuZS1leY

For Emma Thames ’21, The Path to Becoming a Better Physician Begins in the Humanities | Rhodes News Emma Thames ’21 has taken full advantage of the holistic education offered by the college, pursuing an English literature major while on the pre-med track. Thames cites Rhodes’ Foundations curriculum, which provides students the freedom to choose courses across academic disciplines that develop ...

The Rhodes College Department of English is delighted to announce that our own student worker, Nate Scott, has been selected as Student Employee of the Year! Nate began working for the English Department in 2017 and has been a wonderful asset to the department these last 4 years. Nate will graduate in May and we are going to miss him but wish him continued success in all his endeavors.

The Rhodes College Department of English is delighted to announce that our own student worker, Nate Scott, has been selected as Student Employee of the Year! Nate began working for the English Department in 2017 and has been a wonderful asset to the department these last 4 years. Nate will graduate in May and we are going to miss him but wish him continued success in all his endeavors.

Congratulations to English majors Anne Cunningham, Tara Fredenburg, Abigail Morici, Shelby Seese, & Madison Zickgraf for being invited to join the Rhodes College Phi Beta Kappa Chapter as Members-in-Course! Phi Beta Kappa is America’s oldest collegiate honor society. Fewer than one percent of U.S. college graduates are eligible. Membership is one of the highest academic honors a student can attain, and it stands as a life-long mark of excellence in the study of the liberal arts.

Congratulations to English majors Anne Cunningham, Tara Fredenburg, Abigail Morici, Shelby Seese, & Madison Zickgraf for being invited to join the Rhodes College Phi Beta Kappa Chapter as Members-in-Course! Phi Beta Kappa is America’s oldest collegiate honor society. Fewer than one percent of U.S. college graduates are eligible. Membership is one of the highest academic honors a student can attain, and it stands as a life-long mark of excellence in the study of the liberal arts.

How to think like Marlowe: Orson Welles's detour from Shakespeare

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/how-to-think-like-marlowe-orson-welless-detour-from-shakespeare-tickets-146749759481
This event will be led by Professor Scott Newstok, Rhodes College.

How to think like Marlowe: Orson Welles's detour from Shakespeare Learn more about how Orson Welles' less familiar experiments in staging early modern dramatists, not just Shakespeare.

West Kentucky Star - Living

Rhodes College Professor Chanelle Benz, award-winning author of "The Gone Dead", will share about her book, the art of writing and answer questions of viewers on the WKCTC page and YouTube channel on March 30th, 2021 at 6:00 pm.

West Kentucky Star - Living West Kentucky Star's aim is to provide 24/7 constant local information updates for Paducah, western Kentucky and southern Illinois.

Retired Rhodes College Professor & Dean of British Studies, Mike Leslie, cross-country skiing in Overton Park!
https://dailymemphian.com/section/metro/article/20043/memphians-hit-the-downtown-slopes

Retired Rhodes College Professor & Dean of British Studies, Mike Leslie, cross-country skiing in Overton Park!
https://dailymemphian.com/section/metro/article/20043/memphians-hit-the-downtown-slopes

Black History Month is an annual celebration of achievements by African Americans and a time for recognizing their central role in U.S. history. Rhodes College Alumni Relations will celebrate the accomplishments and countless contributions of our Black alumni, faculty, staff and students.

Britt Threatt ’17 majored in English and Theatre at Rhodes and was chosen for the Rhodes Hall of Fame. Britt is currently a PhD Candidate in Africana Studies at Brown University. Her research interests are Black women's writing in literary fiction and science fiction and fantasy as they represent the afterlife of slavery. She aspires to teach English literature in multiple grades throughout her professional career, from middle school to college.

The enduring value of an English degree

The enduring value of an English degree Despite a struggling labor market and emerging technologies that emphasize the importance of STEM fields, an English degree is as useful as ever, says JHU Professor Mark Christian Thompson

ASSOCIATION OF AMERICAN PUBLISHERS ANNOUNCES FINALISTS FOR 2021 PROSE AWARDS - AAP

Professor Scott Newstok’s book “How to Think like Shakespeare” was named a finalist for the 45th annual Professional and Scholarly Excellence (PROSE) Awards, honoring scholarly works published in 2020.
https://publishers.org/news/association-of-american-publishers-announces-finalists-for-2021-prose-awards/

ASSOCIATION OF AMERICAN PUBLISHERS ANNOUNCES FINALISTS FOR 2021 PROSE AWARDS - AAP Washington, DC – The Association of American Publishers (AAP) today unveiled finalists for the 45thannual Professional and Scholarly Excellence (PROSE) Awards, honoring scholarly works published in 2020, comprising a total of 130 finalists across 44 subject categories. Since 1976, the Association...

Register for "J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Hobbit: Myth-Making and Medievalism" taught by Professor Lori Garner, Rhodes College Department of English!

Register for "Literature of Plague" taught by Professor Chris Brunt, Rhodes College Department of English!