Rhodes College is making some history on its board of trustees. Alumna Deborah Craddock will become the first woman to chair the college’s board when she takes over at the end of incumbent Cary Fowler’s tenure.
“I have valued my time on the Rhodes board of trustees and have been so fortunate to serve under and learn from the leadership of previous chairs Spence Wilson, Bill Michaelcheck, and Cary Fowler,” says Craddock. “I am truly honored to have been elected as the next chair and look forward to navigating the opportunities that lie ahead for the college. Together with the rest of the board, we will continue to fulfill the Rhodes vision of graduating individuals with a lifelong passion for learning, a compassion for others, and the ability to translate academic study and personal concern into effective leadership and action.”
A graduate of the class of 1980 with a bachelor’s degree in economics, Craddock is currently a principal at Southeastern Asset Management Inc. But her involvement with the college has extended far beyond her graduation year. She first joined the board of trustees in 2001, and served as vice-chair from 2017-2020. Craddock was also a member of Rhodes’ search committees for its 20th and 21st presidents, and helped select Marjorie Hass and Jennifer Collins, respectively, to lead the college. She is also the 2017 recipient of the school’s Algernon Sydney award, which recognizes those who have given generously to the college and others.
“I am so privileged to have the opportunity to work alongside our new president Jennifer Collins, an accomplished leader in higher education, as we further develop and implement our strategic plan to prepare Rhodes for the next decade,” continues Craddock. “Her experience with supporting faculty, staff, students, and alumni as well as managing budgets and fundraising during her tenure as dean of the law school at Southern Methodist University will be invaluable to Rhodes.”
Fowler has served as chair of the college’s board of trustees since 2017. Craddock will assume that responsibility later this summer on July 1st.
“Deborah knows the college from top to bottom. As chair, I quickly learned to depend on her wise counsel, and her hard work and impeccable professionalism,” says Fowler. “Deborah shares our values completely and has long been an effective ambassador for Rhodes and the liberal arts. She’s a leader everyone trusts, respects and likes, and she’ll make a wonderful partner for our incoming president, Jennifer Collins.”