This weeks Campus Celebs are my two personal favorite Trin Alums, my mom and dad! They graduated Trinity in 1986, and in honor of parent’s weekend I thought I’d go to them for a little trinsight.
Benjamin R. Rhodes
Major: American Studies
Christine P. Rhodes
Major: English
HerCampusTrin: What is your favorite memory of your time at Trin?
Ben Rhodes: There was a Soap Box Derby on Vernon Street one year, so some of my friends mounted wheels on a cast iron bath tub. Although they were good students, I am not sure they realized how fast they would get going, and needless to say the bath tub had no brakes. My friends crashed heavily into the bales of hay at the bottom, but escaped unhurt. We spent the rest of the day celebrating their courage and survival.
Christine Rhodes: Graduation day was incredible–surrounded by friends and family on that gorgeous Quad on an incredibly sunny day in May–quite a feeling of accomplishment and relief!
HCT: What was your favorite thing to eat on campus?
BR: The deli line at lunch was always the best. I would make the largest sandwich possible and hope it carried me to the midnight order from Campus Pizza!
CR: Ice cream Sundae bar at Thursday night “steak” night–and I use the term “steak” loosely.
HCT: What were you involved with on campus?
BR: I played on the Men’s Lacrosse team for 4 years, was a member of the Delta Phi fraternity, and served as President of the Inter-fraternity Council.
CR: I was a part of the women’s varsity tennis team and we were division champs a few times. I loved being a part of that team. Our coach Wendy Bartlett is still at Trin, and she was a big part of my Trinity experience. She really cared about all of us. I also worked in the Alumni office part time and just loved that job. The women who worked there and the director of Alumni Relations were so kind to me. I got to talk on the phone with alums, which gave me a real appreciation for being a part of Trinity. The paycheck was nice too.
HCT: What do you miss?
BR: I certainly miss the blend of the academic, athletic and social activity that is part of life on a college campus. It is a unique time! I miss the process of learning through debate and discussion, I miss close friends, and I miss playing in home lacrosse games on beautiful spring weekends. Most of all, though, I miss throwing a Frisbee on the quad!
CR: My close friends–especially the girls I lived with and those I got to know best during sophomore year when I lived in an 8 woman. We just had our 25th reunion last summer, and that reminded me of how incredible each of my roommates and friends from those days are–each one is still amazing!
HCT:What DON’T you miss?
BR: The pressure that comes with realizing that there is more academic work to be done than you can possibly complete! I worked hard academically while at Trinity, and that work ethic has carried over into the rest of my life. Nevertheless, there always seemed to be more work required than there were hours available. Each of us had to learn the skill of determining what was truly the most important work.
CR: Finals and “steak” night
HCT:Who was your favorite professor?
BR: My favorite professor was Jack Chatfield. In addition to taking his class on early American political thought, he was my thesis advisor. His tremendous knowledge and diplomatic style somehow got me through my 90-page thesis on the socio-political philosophy of John Adams. He deserves a medal for that!
CR: My English and senior thesis project advisor–Prof Hugh Ogden who passed away a few years ago, he was a great poet and a wonderful mentor.
HCT: Did you have a “motto” when you were here? What was it?
BR: No, I did not have motto when I was there, but I would like to remind you that:
“This is the famous Budweiser beer. We know of no brand produced by any other brewer, which cost so much to brew and age. Our exclusive Beachwood Ageing produces a taste, a smoothness, and a drinkabality that you will find in no other beer at any price.”
Sidenote: for all those who don’t know, this is the insignia on the side of the Budweiser cans. GO DAD!
HCT:What is something you still love about Trin today?
BR: Trinity has a unique and beautiful campus, and regardless of how many times I walk across the quad, it still strikes me as one of the best places to be. I love how each graduating class learns to appreciate Trinity and find a way to make it even better.
CR: The longevity of the relationships I formed. Dr DePhillips was also a big part of my Trin days even though I never took Chem. He assisted with our tennis team and was always so supportive. Prof Hedrick was my freshman advisor and is still there. I have been in touch with both of them in the past 6 months or so. It’s a place where great lasting bonds are made–Love that!