Rhodes' Legacy

Last night was the annual “Coming Up Dinner” at Rhodes House. Arrival at Oxford is known as “coming up” and when one departs it is called “going down.” Obviously no one around here is subtle about the perception that attending Oxford is the apogee of achievement in life and all other accomplishments, no matter how prestigious, will pale in comparison. But in the warm afterglow of this lovely evening, it seems like an opportune moment to reflect on the Rhodes community.

Rhodes scholars are a dime a dozen at Oxford. There are approximately 200 of us in residence here at any given time and several thousand have passed through these halls in the last century so no one is automatically awed by our brilliance or taken aback by our curriculum vitas. In fact, most everyone tries to keep the distinction a secret outside of Rhodes House, as you don’t want to be seen as pretentious or invoke the resentment of other students because you are here on a plush scholarship while they struggle with increasingly exorbitant fees. But on the whole, I can’t say enough about how much I have enjoyed getting to know the other scholars. They are a truly exceptional group of people. And it has nothing to do with overt displays of intelligence. Everyone is incredibly understated but has a fascinating life store, a vision for global change and is equally comfortable discussing the rugby world cup and the political tensions between Quebec and the rest of the Canadian Provinces. This only goes to reinforce my preconception that the Rhodes is truly exceptional not for the funding benefits, but rather for facilitating access to an incredible peer network. The scholarship has given birth to innumerable lifelong friendships and a surprisingly large number of marriages as students from around the world spend two years exploring Oxford and traveling across the globe in search of new enriching experiences.

Scholars I’ve talked to unanimously agree that the monthly “Mix & Mingle” evenings are their favorite activity in Oxford, bar none. These are a great chance to meet scholars from other years, see people that you wouldn’t run into in college or your department and just generally while the night away in stimulating conversation. At the first Mix & Mingle we saw a short video from six current Rhodes scholars, all women, who had successfully completed a relay swim of the English Channel the week before. Of course I immediately tracked them down and picked their brains about training, fundraising, hiring a captain, timing the weather etc. Apparently you need at least six people to do the swim- I have already recruited four women and am keeping an eye out for anyone else with a strong swimming background.

In case there is any confusions, the Rhodes House is quite literally a house, but it is also an events venue on par with a university club. It has a large ballroom, multiple foyers for cocktails, a library, a professional kitchen, offices for the Rhodes staff, study rooms, and more. The Warden’s house is attached to this but it is not fully integrated into the public spaces. The Warden is the head of the Rhodes scholarship and before arriving you hear everyone refer to him in such awed and reverent tones that I couldn’t help but imagine him as a demigod- someone aloof and officious who ruled over Rhodes scholars with an iron fist. After all, in the US, warden’s usually run prisons, not scholarships. But nothing could be further from the truth. Warden Markwell is one of the most charming and endearing people I have ever met. During Mix & Mingles, he migrates around the room holding platters of cheese, French fries, pizza bites, etc. He always offers them to people by reminding us how fattening they are so we absolutely must try them, everyone politely refuses and he laughs and insists that you really must partake, so of course you do. This happens all night long, and he succeeds almost without fail. Even with the fish sticks. And no one can actually claim to like those so it really is a sign of our affection for him that we oblige.

Another social highlight is the weekly informal teas at Rhodes House. Usually a couple scholars bring fresh bread or cookies and people drop in after class or on their way to an evening lecture. This week my conversations ranged from the ideal flour for baking break and research on using beta-blockers to inhibit memory retention in PTSD victims, to perceptions of female education in rural Pakistan and comical mishaps during block-starts at swim meets. I can’t imagine a better depiction of what Rhodes scholars are like and am increasingly convinced that these small exchanges, more so than any curriculum or grand adventures, will prove to be the most cherished element of the Oxford experience.