planning on anything in particular. He opens the door, and in his German
“Rhodes Scholars tend to be successful people,” Frickle said. “But I think
accent, he says ‘Ah, Mr. Woodhouse. I hear you want to become a Rhodes
the award really is about helping people. I hope to become a community
Scholar! Come, we have no time to lose!’
organizer and have the ability to make a real difference in at least some
“I didn’t even know exactly what the Rhodes was, but before I could say no,
people’s lives, and to me, that is success.”
he was planning my schedule and setting things up for the next three-and-a-
AN EYE TO THE FUTURE
half years.” McFadden likewise had no intention of applying for the Rhodes until the idea was pushed forward by Wolfe and other professors at the College.
Frickle is one of four Rhodes Scholarship finalists from The College of Idaho since 2007. Taylor St. John (2007), Derek Erstad (2008) and Colleen Smith
“I would never even have imagined applying for the Rhodes but for teachers
(2011) also were nominated, a fact that Henberg says is just as noteworthy
like Sinclair, Wolfe, Chalker and Attebery,” McFadden said. “In fact, I was quite
and encouraging as Frickle’s 2012 win. In addition, current senior Tyler Hatch
convinced I wouldn’t get it, and I didn’t want to fail. But the people close to me
became the College’s third Truman Scholar last spring.
would not allow me to fail. I know without a doubt that what happened for me at The College of Idaho rarely, if ever, happens at larger institutions.”
“I’m very pleased to see so many of our students aiming to climb the tallest trees in the forest,” Henberg said. “The competition is fierce, but even if you miss, there are a lot of other tall trees to fall into.”
FULFILLING THE RHODES
Wills agrees, saying the reward of applying far outweighs the risk of being
The Rhodes Scholar title is one that stays with its recipient for life. The scholarship remains a boon to its recipients many years after they leave the storied halls of Oxford, helping with everything from scholarly pursuits and job interviews to conversations at dinner parties.
turned down. “Even being nominated is a tremendous feather in your cap,” Wills said. “By all means, apply. You have nothing to lose, and everything to gain.” Wills and his fellow Rhodes Scholars look back fondly on their years at Oxford
“It definitely sticks with you,” Henberg said. “Even for people who don’t know what a Rhodes Scholar is, the association tends to be positive. People think it makes you some sort of genius, which is crazy of course.”
as an eye-opening, often life-changing experience. Soon, Frickle will embark on her own Rhodes quest to make her mark on the world. Meanwhile, The College of Idaho continues to attract hundreds of bright,
Adds McFadden: “When I came back to the States, it seemed like no door
young, independent thinkers. Semester after semester, minds are stretched
was closed to me. Being able to put ‘Rhodes Scholar’ on your resume definitely
and ideas are challenged as students are mentored by professors with a proven
gives you a leg up. It’s an experience that marks you forever.”
knack for getting the most out of their graduates.
The Rhodes also carries with it an expectation of leadership, kindliness and
It is only a matter of time until lightning strikes again.
an interest in the good of humanity. Many Rhodes Scholars choose career paths with an eye toward public service, including politics, education, law, medicine
JORDAN RODRIGUEZ is the editor of Quest.
and scientific research. The College of Idaho’s Rhodes Scholars have gone on to great success in fields of service. Skorpen was beloved as an educator. Wills too taught at several colleges and universities, while McFadden, who recently retired as library director at Union College in New York, and Roelofs, a longtime public educator in California, also plied their skills in halls of learning. Woodhouse’s path led him to law, where he practices as an attorney for Trinity Health and the Saint Alphonsus Health System in Boise. And Rindfleisch is a doctor of family and integrative medicine at the University of WisconsinMadison, where he blends traditional medicine with naturopathy, acupuncture and chiropractic methods in an effort to give each patient the best possible chance at healing. “There definitely is an emphasis for Rhodes Scholars to change the world for the better,” Rindfleisch said. “I enjoy being able to use my training to help people.” Frickle has been accepted into the graduate program in women’s studies at Oxford, where she plans to focus on advocacy for LGBT and women’s rights in the United States and Latin America. Frickle studied the topic extensively at the College—she presented a research paper on feminism in Brazil both at the C of I Student Research Conference and at a conference sponsored by national history honor society Pi Alpha Theta—and she is passionate about seeing it through, even if it might not lead to the wealth and prestige that accompany other popular Rhodes careers.
Amanda Frickle is set to begin her Rhodes journey this fall after being accepted into Oxford’s graduate program in women’s studies.
spring 2013 • page 7