reminds him of Shepard and her lasting relationship with the school. “Dr. William L. Bowden ’48, who was president of this college from 1969 to 1973, gave the address at my graduation in June 1971. A line from his speech has always stuck with me,
and it goes something like this: ‘Seniors, Southwestern does not belong to you, but you belong to Southwestern.’ To me, this really applies to Martha’s relationship with the college in that she will always be a part of Rhodes. What’s more, she will always be a part of the
historical record of the college. When people in the future go to the archives and want to read about Rhodes, thank goodness we will have the Martha Shepard era to share with them.”
Remembering Professor Rosanna Cappellato It was with great sadness that the college received news of the passing of Professor Rosanna Cappellato, Nov. 22, 2012, after a brief yet rapidly progressive illness. Dr. Cappellato earned her bachelor of science degree in her native Italy in 1977, a doctorandus degree in biology from the University of Amsterdam in 1981 and a Ph.D. in biology from Emory University in 1991. She taught at Emory, Alfred University and Allegheny College before joining the Rhodes faculty in 2004. At Rhodes, Dr. Cappellato established courses in Environmental Science and Conservation Biology. Each year she led students on a Maymester program in Namibia to study environmental issues in Southern Africa. Dr. Cappellato’s passion for the environment and environmentalism was reflected in a number of ways on campus and beyond. She provided
guidance throughout the development of the Environmental Studies and Sciences Program and was instrumental in the recent recertification of the Rhodes campus as a Level IV Arboretum. She also served on Rhodes’ Environmental Planning Committee and the Scientific Advisory Committee of the Memphis Zoo. She was involved in a number of environmental issues in the community, including the Shelby County Brownfield Council and conservation efforts in the old growth forest of Overton Park. Students, faculty and staff gathered in late January to plant a tree in Dr. Cappellato’s honor. A scarlet oak tree, chosen because it is native to Tennessee and not already represented in the Arboretum, was planted in front of the Catherine Burrow Refectory, replacing a tree lost earlier in the year. A plaque in Dr. Cappellato’s honor will be placed at the base of the tree.
Rosanna Cappellato By Adam Alsamadisi ’12 On Thanksgiving Day, Rhodes College lost an extraordinary leader to whom the community owes tremendous gratitude. Dr. Rosanna Cappellato’s wonderful adoration of the natural environment and incredible dedication to the interdisciplinary understanding of the environment had a profound impact on so many members of the Rhodes, greater Memphis and international communities.
JAY ADKINS
Dr. Cappellato, assistant professor of biology, often emphasized how important an asset the arboretum was to the college, and introduced so many people to the vibrant and diverse tree species on the campus. Her marvelous spirit—as a source of sagacious wit, sincere encouragement and exceptional compassion—will be remembered fondly and terribly missed. Leaving behind a legacy with tremendous dignity, Dr. Cappellato should be celebrated with a resonating recognition of the many contributions she made to the environment and education throughout her lifetime.
Dr. Rosanna Cappellato and Adam Alsamadisi ’12
rhodes.edu
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