Rhodes is well-positioned to face these challenges. Perhaps our most important advantage is the strength of our academic program. Our curriculum is shaped by a faculty committed to undergraduate teaching excellence in the arts and sciences, original research, innovation, and creativity across the disciplines. This combination of intensive work with faculty on campus and engagement off-campus in our city, nation, and world is an extraordinary opportunity for students. Our alumni consistently report long-term benefits, life-long employability, and career advancement as a result of their Rhodes education. Collaborating with faculty on cutting-edge projects and emerging questions gives Rhodes students an advantage in applying to graduate and professional programs. It prepares students for a rapidly changing world. Thoughtful engagement with the world prepares students to adapt to new situations and to offer insight when confronting unexpected problems. We aim to be more deliberate as we highlight the paths that lead from the classroom and the laboratory to civic life and the global market.
We are one of very few national, residential liberal arts colleges to be found in a major city. Memphis is a distinctive American city that provides the college with unparalleled opportunities for our students and faculty to live, learn, and lead. Memphis has a fascinating history with impact far beyond our region, as well as ongoing impacts on scientific and technological advancement and the development of a global economy. Midtown and downtown Memphis are in a period of growth, making our location more attractive to more talented and diverse students of the future. Our campus is known for its beauty and architecture. Further, our community, students, faculty, staff, alumni and parents are incredibly supportive of our work. Financially, Rhodes has more than 45 years of balanced budgets, moderate institutional debt with an A+ rating from the bond rating agencies, and a record of successful fundraising campaigns. We will utilize new, research-based methods and approaches to tell a compelling story.
While our business fundamentals are strong, our programmatic offerings are at the heart of our competitive advantages among liberal arts colleges. Rooted in the college’s values reflected in our seal— Truth, Loyalty, and Service—students gain invaluable experiences enabling them to cultivate their talents and to enrich their education through the city we call home. Our academic reputation, competitive NCAA DIII athletic program, outstanding graduate and professional school acceptance rates, emerging diversity among students, award-winning Mock Trial team, and many other programs attract excellent students from across the country. Our national reputation for meaningful service opportunities and community-based learning shapes the ways our graduates contribute to the world. The intersection of a liberal arts education with service to others is a powerful combination, and we are poised to be a national model for attracting students worldwide who seek a transformative and holistic education.