Inauguration of the 21st President of Rhodes College

Stained glass
Rhodes Celebrates the inauguration of President Jennifer Collins

The inauguration ceremony for the 21st president of Rhodes College was held on October 21, 2023, in the Bryan Campus Life Center. The Rhodes community celebrated with a full schedule of events during Inauguration Weekend. 

 

President Jennifer Collins
President Jennifer Collins

Jennifer M. Collins was named the 21st president of Rhodes College on Dec. 6, 2021, following a unanimous vote by the Board of Trustees. An inspiring leader, beloved educator, and committed proponent of the value of the liberal arts, she had served since 2014 as the Judge James Noel Dean and professor of law at Southern Methodist University. Read more ...

a woman in academic robes stands at a podium
Inaugural Ceremony and Address

Deborah Legg Craddock '80, P '12, Chair, Rhodes College Board of Trustees, presided over the inauguration of President Collins. To read the full text of President Collins' inauguration speech, please visit Inaugural Address. 

a woman stands in front of a screen
Inaugural Weekend Events

Enjoy photos of all the events of Inauguration Weekend!

Schedule of Events

Friday, October 20, 2023

CAMPUS-WIDE CELEBRATORY LUNCH  
Featuring Memphis-Inspired Dishes   
11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.   
Catherine Burrow Refectory

INAUGURAL TALKS   
Featuring Rhodes Faculty   
2:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.   
Reception immediately following      
Blount Auditorium, Buckman Hall

  • Lit Matters   
    Marshall Boswell, Professor of English 
  • Study Abroad: It’s Not Just for Students   
    Cara Djonko-Moore, Associate Professor of Educational Studies   
  • Collaborating with Plants, AI, and Machines to Make Art   
    Karl Erickson, Assistant Professor of Art 
  • Breaking Barriers: A Journey into Novel Antibiotic Development   
    Elaine Frawley, Associate Professor of Biology and     
    Larryn Peterson, Associate Professor of Chemistry 
  • Research, Action, and Rhodes:     
    Liberal Arts on the Streets of Memphis   
    Peter Hossler, Associate Professor of Urban Studies 
  • The Impact of Emotional Labor on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Professionals, and What Organizations Can Do About It   
    Kelly Pledger Weeks ’92, P’27, Associate Professor of Business

Saturday, October 21, 2023

INAUGURATION CEREMONY
9:30 a.m.
Bryan Campus Life Center
Check-in for delegates and program participants begins at 8:30 a.m.

INAUGURATION BRUNCH RECEPTION
Immediately Following the Ceremony
Crain Reception Hall and McCallum Ballroom
Second Floor, Bryan Campus Life Center

STUDENT INAUGURAL BALL
McCallum Ballroom
Bryan Campus Life Center
7:00 p.m. - 11:00 p.m.

SPECIAL LIGHTING OF THE HERNANDO DE SOTO BRIDGE
In recognition of Rhodes 175th anniversary and to welcome President Collins, the Hernando de Soto Bridge will be lit Red for Rhodes!