Dear Rhodes Scholars,

While Bon Voyage Weekend returns to an in-person format this year, AARS is excited to sponsor several virtual events so that all alumni have an opportunity to participate. See below for details about each event and information about how to register.

Opening Remarks from Sec. Pete Buttigieg

US Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg (Indiana and Pembroke 2005) will kick off Bon Voyage Week with opening remarks and Q&A with the new Rhodes Scholars and AARS membership at 5:20 PM EDT on Tuesday, September 20 by Zoom. Space is limited, so please sign-up here.

Reunion Events

The AARS Womxn's Reunion is a long-standing tradition in which new Scholars connect with alumni in an informal setting. The event is from 5:00 - 6:00 PM EDT on Sunday, September 18. Please register here. Thank you to Joyce Meng (Virginia and Balliol 2008) and the organizing committee for leading the event this year.

For the second year in a row, Black Rhodes Scholars across generations will gather virtually prior to BVW. The event is from 7:00 - 8:00 PM EDT on Tuesday, September 20. Please register here. Special thanks to Dr. Randal Pinkett (New Jersey and Keble 1994) and the organizing committee for spearheading this event.

Panel on Impact of Title IX

AARS will host a panel discussion on Title IX in recognition of Title IX's 50th anniversary. The panel will be moderated by American Secretary Elliot Gerson (Connecticut and Magdalen 1974) and includes: Warden Elizabeth Kiss (Virginia and Balliol 1983) Michelle Johnson (Iowa and Brasenose 1981): USAFA's first woman Superintendent; Former Senior VP of the National Basketball Association. Margaret Vaillancourt (New Hampshire and Magdalen 1979): Former Senior VP of Corporate Relations and Executive Director of the Red Sox Foundation. Megan Braun (California and St. John's 2011): Former clerk for Chief Justice John Roberts of the Supreme Court of the United States.

The conversation, which will be held both on Zoom and in-person at the Dupont Circle Hotel (1500 New Hampshire Avenue, NW, Washington, D.C. 20036), is from 4:00 - 5:00 PM EDT on Saturday, September 24. Please register here.

We hope that you can attend and enjoy these events. As always, if you would like to host an event - either locally or virtually - please reach out to the AARS reunions and events chair Ron Katz (Missouri and Balliol 1967). We also invite also alumni to update their membership information and pay their annual dues here.

For those in the D.C. area, we hope to see you in person at the BVW Dinner at the Cosmos Club on September 24 at 6:30 PM EDT to meet the new Scholars and to hear the keynote address by Martina Vandenberg (California and St. Antony's 1990), Founder and President of Human Trafficking Legal Center. Tickets may be purchased here.

Our Mission

The mission of AARS is to bring Rhodes Scholars in America together in support of the Rhodes Scholarship, its values, and Oxford University through events, publications, networks and the web.

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