From the AARS President:

HAPPILY EVERY year brings joy in various events to the AARS and its members. Here you meet the 2008 American Rhodes Scholars! For the fourteenth year, the Association of American Rhodes Scholars (AARS) is pleased to present this newsletter introducing the newly elected Rhodes Scholars to their predecessors, to each other, to Oxford, and to individuals and educational institutions nationwide. It is indeed a joy to learn about these fine young people who will be given the wonderful opportunity to study at Oxford and become part of the Rhodes community worldwide.

In addition to introducing our 2008 Scholars, this newsletter also reports the twelfth annual Sailing Weekend sponsored by the AARS for the class of 2007 Rhodes Scholars, which took place in Washington, D.C., last September 22-26. This weekend  allowed the new Rhodes Scholars an ample opportunity to become acquainted with each other before traveling to Oxford and dispersing among the colleges. By hearing from and talking with a wide variety of Scholars of all ages in the course of the Weekend, and by observing their predecessors at the Supreme Court, at the World Bank and in the Congress, for example, these young Scholars gained a good understanding of how Rhodes Scholars value and pursue public service and participate in “the world’s fight.”

Two other events were held in conjunction with the Sailing Weekend. First, AARS and Howard University held a public symposium to celebrate the life and work of Alain Leroy Locke, the first Black American Rhodes Scholar ( Pennsylvania and Hertford ’07). Following the luncheon, there was an informal session open to the Scholars and alumni to discuss Locke’s sexuality and explore opportunities for GLBT Rhodes Scholars to organize future events and other forums to discuss topics of their choice. Also, the 2007 Rhodes Scholars had the opportunity to meet nearly a dozen members of the Class of 1957 who gathered to celebrate their 50th Rhodes Class Reunion. The keynote speaker at the departure luncheon, attended by the new Rhodes Scholars and a number of old Rhodes Scholars, was my friend and classmate, General Wesley K. Clark (ret.) ( Arkansas and Magdalen ’66), Former NATO Supreme Allied Commander, Europe.

The mission of AARS is to bring Rhodes Scholars together in support of the Rhodes Scholarship and Oxford University through events, reunions, publications, networks and the web. AARS fosters social, intellectual and professional connections that reflect shared experiences and extend perspectives. More information about Rhodes Scholars and AARS is available at the new website (www.americanrhodes.org). AARS continues to facilitate the annual transfer of substantial gifts to Oxford, its colleges and related entities through the American Trust for Oxford University. Additionally, the AARS participates in the appointment of the annual Eastman Professor at Oxford and funds the Professor’s salary as well as the maintenance of Eastman House. The quarterly publication of The American Oxonian brings current information about Oxford, articles of interest to the Oxonian constituency, class letters and the annual address list.

Both this publication and the Sailing Weekend described herein are sponsored by the Association of American Rhodes Scholars and are paid for by dues and generous annual contributions of its membership. While financially and organizationally distinct from the Office of the American Secretary to the Rhodes Trust, many AARS activities enjoy the cooperation of the American Secretary in service to the Scholarships. Commended to you is this newsletter’s report from the American Secretary, Elliot Gerson.

On behalf of the AARS and its Board of Directors, I thank you for continuing your vital support.

STEWART EARLY, PRESIDENT
( Pennsylvania and Brasenose ’66)