2010 News

Dr. Russell T. Wigginton, Jr., vice president for college relations at Rhodes, is one of “50 Men of Excellence” honored by the Tri-State Defender.

The mission of  the Tri-State Defender’s Men of Excellence is to acknowledge African American men who personify the exemplary qualities of respect, responsibility, passion, brotherhood and leadership. Selected from various industries and professions, the honorees will be recognized at an awards dinner Friday, Nov. 19, at The Holiday Inn University of Memphis. 

A 1988 graduate of Rhodes, Wigginton also holds an M.A. and a Ph.D. from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. From 1996-2004, he served as an assistant professor in the Rhodes’ History Department.  Wigginton’s civic involvement includes Big Brothers Big Sisters, Memphis Zoological Society, KIPP Academy, Memphis Prep Program, Ballet Memphis, National Civil Rights Museum, Metropolitan Inter-Faith Association, Memphis Literacy Council, St. George’s Day Schools and Buckman Boys and Girls Club.

Rhodes alumnus and city attorney Herman Morris, Jr. ’73 also will be honored as a Man of Excellence.

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