The TMC Minute

Welcome to The TMC Minute 

by Dr. Natalie Person, Dean for Community Engagement and Executive Director of the Lynne and Henry Turley Memphis Center for Community Engagement 

Welcome to the second edition of The TMC Minute. This past month offered many powerful reminders of the deep roots and enduring relationships between Rhodes College and the city we proudly call home. 

We kicked off our fall celebrations with Rhodes Night at the Overton Park Shell, a joyful gathering of students, alumni, faculty, staff, families, and neighbors. As music filled the Shell, we honored local alumni and the College’s centennial year in Memphis. The concert featured acclaimed trumpeter Muneer Nasser—a composer, jazz historian, and author—whose music weaves together historic Memphis blues and New York jazz to create his own distinct sound. Adding to the celebration, the Rhodes Jazz Ensemble and the Rhodes Faculty Players also performed, showcasing the outstanding talent within our campus community. We’re especially grateful to The Overton Park Shell and Executive Director Natalie Wilson, as well as The Mike Curb Institute for Music and Director Dr. John Bass, for their partnership and support in making this special evening possible. The evening captured the spirit of our anniversary year: connection, community, and gratitude. 

Homecoming weekend continued that theme as we welcomed students and alumni who have participated in or championed community-engaged work to the TMC Homecoming Reception. It was energizing to see generations of Lynx—past and present—come together to share stories, celebrate meaningful partnerships, and reflect on how community engagement has shaped their Rhodes experience and their professional lives. Their commitment is a testament to the lasting impact of learning through meaningful community-centered work. 

We also hosted “Lynx to the Past: A Conversation About Rhodes’ Connections to Memphis,” a dynamic discussion exploring the College’s historic and evolving relationship with the city. The panel featured distinguished Rhodes alumni Sally Jones Heinz ’81, president and CEO of the Metropolitan Inter-Faith Association (MIFA), and Dr. Russell Wigginton ’88, president of the National Civil Rights Museum. Dr. Stephen Haynes, professor of religious studies at Rhodes, skillfully moderated the conversation, guiding a thoughtful discussion about the people, partnerships, and pivotal moments that have shaped Rhodes’ presence in Memphis over the past century—and how those connections continue to inform our future.  

As we look ahead, I want to close with a reminder of our bold centennial commitment: Rhodes into Memphis, a pledge of 50,000 hours of engagement with our community during the 2025–26 academic year. This is our opportunity to honor 100 years in Memphis by investing in the city’s next 100. 

Thank you for being part of this work and this celebration. 

Each month, we highlight members of the Rhodes community who are making an impact across Memphis through service, scholarship, and connection. 

Check out these upcoming volunteer opportunities and many more on Rhodes Engage.