Rhodes House in Oxford, designed by Sir Herbert Baker.

The Rhodes Scholarship, named after Cecil John Rhodes, is an international postgraduate award for study at the University of Oxford.^[1] It was the first large-scale programme of international scholarships,^[2] and is widely considered the "world's most prestigious scholarship" by many public sources such as Time,^[3] Yale University Press,^[4] The McGill Reporter,^[5] and Associated Press.^[6]

Rhodes Scholars may study any full-time postgraduate course offered by the University,^[7] whether a taught Master’s programme, a research degree, or a second undergraduate degree (senior status). In the first instance, the scholarship is awarded for two years. However, it may also be held for one year or three years. Applications for a third year are considered during the course of the second year.

University and College fees are paid by the Rhodes Trust. In addition, Scholars receive a monthly maintenance stipend to cover accommodation and living expenses.^[8][9] Although all scholars become affiliated with a residential college while at Oxford, they also enjoy access to Rhodes House, an early 20th century mansion with numerous public rooms, gardens, a library, study areas, and other facilities.

"For more than a century, Rhodes scholars have left Oxford with virtually any job available to them. For much of this time, they have overwhelmingly chosen paths in scholarship, teaching, writing, medicine, scientific research, law, the military and public service. They have reached the highest levels in virtually all fields."^[10]

History[link]

Known as the "world's oldest and most prestigious international graduate scholarship",^[11] the Rhodes Scholarships are administered and awarded by the Rhodes Trust, which was established in 1902 under the terms and conditions of the will of Cecil John Rhodes, and funded by his estate under the administration of Nathan Rothschild.^[12] Scholarships have been awarded to applicants annually since 1902 on the basis of academic achievement and strength of character. There have been more than 7,000 Rhodes Scholars since the inception of the Trust. More than 4,000 are still living.^[13]

In 1925, the Commonwealth Fund Fellowships (later renamed the Harkness Fellowships) were established to reciprocate the Rhodes Scholarships by enabling British graduates to study in the United States.^[14] The Kennedy Scholarship program, created in 1966 as a living memorial to John F. Kennedy, adopts a comparable selection process to the Rhodes Scholarships to allow 10 British post-graduate students per year to study at either Harvard or MIT.^[15][16]

Standards[link]

Rhodes' legacy specified four standards by which applicants were to be judged:

• Literary and scholastic attainments;
• Energy to use one's talents to the fullest, as exemplified by fondness for and success in sports;
• Truth, courage, devotion to duty, sympathy for and protection of the weak, kindliness, unselfishness and fellowship;
• Moral force of character and instincts to lead, and to take an interest in one's fellow beings.

This legacy originally provided for scholarships for the British colonies, the United States, and Germany. These three were chosen because it was thought that " ... a good understanding between England, Germany and the United States of America will secure the peace of the world ... "^[12]

Rhodes, who attended Oxford University (as a member of Oriel College), chose his alma mater as the site of his great experiment because he believed its residential colleges provided the ideal environment for intellectual contemplation and personal development.

Rhodes' original aim with the Scholarship and subsequent changes[link]

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An early change was the elimination of the scholarships for Germany during World Wars I and II. No German scholars were chosen from 1914 to 1929, nor from 1940 to 1969.^[17]

Rhodes' bequest was whittled down considerably in the first decades after his death, as various scholarship trustees were forced to pay taxes upon their own deaths. A change occurred in 1929, when an Act of Parliament established a fund separate from the original proceeds of Rhodes' will and made it possible to expand the number of scholarships. Between 1993 and 1995, scholarships were extended to other countries in the European Community.

Because the Sex Discrimination Act 1975 in the United Kingdom did not affect wills, it took another Act of Parliament to change the Rhodes' will to extend selection criteria in 1977 to include women.

For at least its first 75 years, scholars usually studied for a Bachelor of Arts degree. While that remains an option, more recent scholars usually study for an advanced degree.

Allocations[link]

There were originally 52 scholarships.^[12][17]

Four South African boys' schools were mentioned in Rhodes' will, each to receive an annual scholarship: the Boys High School, in Stellenbosch (today known as Paul Roos Gymnasium); the Diocesan College (Bishops) in Rondebosch; the South African College Schools (SACS) in Newlands; and St Andrew's College in Grahamstown.

During the ensuing 100 years, the Trustees added at one time or another approximately another 40 scholarships, though not all have continued. Some of these extended the scheme to Commonwealth countries not mentioned in the Will.^[13] A more detailed allocation by region by year can be found at Rhodes Scholarship Allocations. Very brief summaries of some of the terms and conditions can be found on the Trust's web site.^[34][35] Complete details can be obtained from the nominating countries.^[36]

Currently, scholars are selected from citizens of 14 specified geographic constituencies,^[37][38] namely: Australia; Bermuda; Canada; Germany; Hong Kong; India; Jamaica & Commonwealth Caribbean; Kenya; New Zealand; Pakistan; Southern Africa (South Africa and neighbours Botswana, Lesotho, Malawi, Namibia and Swaziland); USA; Zambia; and Zimbabwe.

From 2006, 11 scholarships were suspended for a period of 5 years.^{[why?][citation needed]} The scholarships for Hong Kong were abolished in July 1997 following its withdrawal from the Commonwealth (due to the transfer of sovereignty from the United Kingdom to the People's Republic of China), although a Commonwealth country Sri Lanka has not been granted scholarships since 1974, even though scholarships were granted to Ceylon.^[39][40] However, with the benefaction from the Lee Hysan Foundation (described by the Rhodes Trust as "substantial and generous"^{[citation needed]}), the Rhodes Scholarships for Hong Kong were reintroduced in late 2006.^[41] Since 1998 Rhodes Scholarships have been granted to Bangladesh.

Notable Rhodes Scholars[link]

See also: Rhodes scholars category

Centenary degrees[link]

In recognition of the centenary of the foundation of the Rhodes Trust in 2003, four scholars were awarded honorary degrees by the University of Oxford:

• John Brademas (Indiana & Brasenose 1950), President of New York University, U.S. Congressman (Indiana), 1959–1981
• Robert J. L. (Bob) Hawke (Western Australia & University 1953), Prime Minister of Australia, 1983–1991
• Rex Nettleford (Jamaica & Oriel 1957), Vice-Chancellor of the University of the West Indies, author, dance director
• David R. Woods (Rhodes & University 1963), Vice-Chancellor of Rhodes University

References and notes[link]

In the Oxford University Calendar,^[42] the Greek letter rho (ρ) against a name indicates that the person is a former Rhodes Scholar. This symbol should precede the name.^[43]

Further reading[link]

• Rotberg, R. I. (1988), The Founder: Cecil Rhodes and the Pursuit of Power, New York: Oxford University Press, ISBN 0-19-504968-3 .
• Kenny, Anthony, ed. (2001), The History of the Rhodes Trust, Oxford: Oxford University Press, ISBN 0-19-920191-9 .
• Ziegler, Philip (2008), Legacy: Cecil Rhodes, the Rhodes Trust and Rhodes Scholarships, Yale: Yale University Press, ISBN 978-0-300-11835-3 .

External links[link]

• The Rhodes Trust (UK)
  • History of Rhodes Trust and Rhodes Scholarship
  • Scholarship and application information
• Updates on Rhodes Alumni
• The Rhodes Trust, USA
• The Rhodes Project: The first in-depth study of Rhodes women

Myron Rolle (born October 30, 1986 in Houston, Texas) is an American football safety for the Pittsburgh Steelers of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Tennessee Titans, who valued his athleticism and intellect, in the sixth round of the 2010 NFL Draft. He played college football at Florida State. He was awarded a Rhodes Scholarship and studied at St. Edmund Hall,^[1] Oxford University for the 2009–10 academic year in order to earn an MSc in Medical Anthropology.^[2] He was recently chosen as the second smartest professional athlete by the Sporting News.^[3]

Early years[link]

Rolle was raised in Galloway, New Jersey where in 2009, December 10 was decreed "Myron Rolle Day" in his hometown. He attended middle school at Galloway Township Middle School. He first attended The Peddie School in Hightstown, New Jersey where he played the saxophone in the school band, sang in a school play, and was the sports editor of the school newspaper. He then transferred to the Hun School of Princeton and played high school football under head coach Dave Dudeck, where he was an All-American and made 112 tackles including 14 for loss. ESPN's recruiting services ranked Rolle as the number one high school prospect in the country.^[4] Rivals.com rated him the 12th-best player and the top athlete overall, as well as the best player from New Jersey in the 2006 recruiting class.^[5] In 2006, after a nation-wide search Rolle won the prestigious annually awarded Franklin D. Watkins Memorial Trophy, the premier African-American scholar/athlete award in America for high school males.^[6]

College career[link]

Aspiring to both the National Football League and medical school, Rolle played as a safety at FSU, completed all necessary pre-medical requirements, and earned his bachelor's degree in Exercise Science in just 2.5 years with a 3.75 grade point average.^[7] Rolle helped the Florida State Seminoles win on the field, and, off the field, he won a Rhodes Scholarship. He postponed playing in the NFL for a year in order to study at Oxford University.^[8][9][10]

In 2008, he earned Associated Press 3rd team All-American honors as well as Football Writers Association America 2nd team All-ACC and CoSIDA Academic All-America. In the 2008 season game versus the University of Miami Hurricanes, Seminoles defensive coordinator Mickey Andrews remarked that Rolle played the best and most complete game he has ever seen a safety play at Florida State University in his 25 years of coaching. Rolle had 4 tackles (2 touchdown saving tackles), 1 tackle for loss, 4 pass breakups, 1 sack, 2 quarterback hurries and 3 critical 3rd down stops.^{[citation needed]}

Rolle was named a finalist for one of the 32 Rhodes Scholarships awarded to Americans each year.^[11] His interview for the scholarship was originally scheduled at the same time as Florida State was to play at Maryland, in which Florida State defeated Maryland 37-3. The NCAA decided to allow Rolle to take a chartered plane from his interview in Birmingham, Alabama to College Park.^[9] He was awarded the scholarship less than three hours before the Florida State vs. Maryland game. He became the fourth Florida State student and second school athlete to receive the honor, as well as the only FSU football player to do so.^[12][13] Rolle announced on January 12, 2009, that he would first study at Oxford University for the 2009–10 academic year in order to earn an M.Sc. in medical anthropology and would then enter the 2010 NFL Draft.^[2] He was a member of St Edmund Hall, commonly known as "Teddy Hall," at Oxford, living in college accommodation at Norham Gardens.^[14]

Professional career[link]

Pre-draft[link]

Tennessee Titans[link]

Rolle was selected by the Tennessee Titans in the sixth round (207th overall) of the 2010 NFL Draft. He signed a four-year contract on June 14, 2010.^[16] However, the Tennessee Titans released him a year later on September 2, 2011.

Pittsburgh Steelers[link]

On January 31, 2012, the Pittsburgh Steelers signed Rolle to a reserve/future contract.

Personal[link]

Rolle is of Bahamian descent. He was born to Beverly and Whitney Rolle of The Bahamas.^[17] His family members, including parents and three of his older brothers, Marchant, Marvis, Mordecai, McKinley (NJ) hail from Nassau, Bahamas. He is very proud of his Bahamian heritage and has plan to open The Myron L. Rolle Medical Clinic and Sports Complex a free health services clinic in Steventon, Exuma, in The Bahamas. .^[18] Rolle is the founder of 'Our Way to Health' - an educational childhood anti-obesity program for Native Americans currently operating in the Seminole Tribe of Florida, Pueblo, Hopi and Navajo Indians. Rolle, in conjunction with Florida Secretary of Children and Family Services, George Sheldon, runs a week long Myron Rolle Wellness and Leadership Academy for Foster Care children in the State of Florida. In 2011, Rolle, along with 2006 Rhodes Scholar Garrett Johnson, created the "Emerging Scholars Project" - a program to help underrepresented college students become viable candidates for national fellowship opportunities. Rolle has been awarded days in Tallahassee and West Palm Beach, Florida as well as Keys to the City of Lafayette, Louisiana and Sarasota, Florida. In 2011, Rolle joined the Board of Trustees at Hampden-Sydney College. Rolle is a member of the Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity.

References[link]

External links[link]

• Official website
• Florida State Seminoles football bio
• Titans bio