Lynx to the Past

To celebrate Black History Month this year, we are starting at our beginning: how black students first came to Rhodes. Who they were, what they were doing, and what campus was like at the time are all things we were curious to learn more about in our pursuit of telling the stories of our campus' history. This episode was researched and written by Maggie Kreis. Hosted by Maggie Kreis and Kenan Padgett.

In 1916, Clarence Saunders boasted to the Commercial Appeal, "Piggly Wiggly will be born not with a silver spoon in his mouth, but with a workshirt on his back." This scrappy attitude probably appealed to President Charles Diehl who worked just as tirelessly to birth a college in Memphis.

In honor of Rhodes History Day, celebrating the anniversary of the first day of classes in Memphis on September 24, 1925, this episode explores the role the founder of the world's first self-service grocery store played in the college's move to Memphis.

This episode is hosted by Maggie Kreis and Kenan Padgett. Editing by Sarah Monroe. Music for this episode is performed by Professor Tom Bryant.

If you have listened to our episode titled Rocky Rhodes, then you know that we here at Lynx to the Past love gothic revival. The gothic revival movement brought about a resurgence in medieval-style castles and cathedrals, and it served as one of the catalysts for the very first renaissance faire, held in California in 1962. Our first faire on campus seems to have been in 1974; if we look in dlynx, our online archive, we find photos of bare-foot flower-crowned students enjoying the sun in their renaissance garb. Moving through the photos of the faire in the 70s, we see images of wind quartets, jesters perched on slate-tiled roofs, and performers in tights, ready for the stage. It seems that the faire was quite a production, one we believe campus is happy to have returned.

On a Very Special Episode of Lynx to the Past: Rhodes Madness!

In the spirit of March Madness, Maggie has created a bracket of fun facts about the past presidents of Rhodes.

Caitlin and Kenan will team up to choose who they believe deserves the title of "The Most Interesting President".

Featuring: Maggie Kreis and Kenan Padgett with special guest, Caitlin Gewin Research by Maggie Kreis Audio editing: Caitlin GewinArchival guidance by Bill ShortWith special thanks to Andrew Sullivan

Theme music for this episode is the Rhodes College fight song, available at dlynx.rhodes.edu

Contact us at [email protected].

The cats were Siamese and are reported to have had hair.

The Castle was never in Memphis. Don't @ us.

Content Warning: this episode contains mild language and brief mention of eating disorders and sexual assault.

On this episode of Lynx to the Past, Kenan Padgett and Maggie Kreis talk to the minds behind the Rat's Ass, a campus zine published in the 90's, and dig into the origins and purpose of zines.

To view copies of the Rat's Ass while you listen, go to https://tinyurl.com/theRatsAss

Audio editing by Caitlin Gewin and archival assistance from Bill Short. Theme music is "The Lynx March" performed by Barrett Bailey.

Special thanks to our guests- Mike Augspurger '94, Clay Combs '93, Brian Dixon '93, Pat Garrett '94, and Charles Schafer '94.

On this episode of Lynx to the Past, Kenan Padgett and Maggie Kreis will dive into the history of a prolific sculptor who left her mark on Rhodes and the world.

On this episode of Lynx to the Past, Kenan Padgett and Maggie Kreis uncover stories of the people behind the many greenspace dedications at Rhodes, learning who they were and the legacy that they left.

On this episode of Lynx to the Past, Kenan Padgett and Maggie Kreis will unearth all there is to know about the sandstone structures of Rhodes College.

Kenan and Lillian discuss the legendary three term academic calendar that was in place at Rhodes College for about 20 years. Email us with any questions or tell us your own story at [email protected].