From Vinyl to Volunteering: Rhodes College Discovers Crosstown Concourse

Just a mile away from Crosstown Concourse is one of the most beautiful college campuses in the United States, according to the Princeton Review. In fact, Rhodes College ranks high on a lot of lists that make it a top choice for graduating seniors. This year we were excited to host several of their students during their orientation week and introduce them to our story and all of the resources within the walls of Concourse. “It’s incredibly important that our students understand what’s available to them outside of campus as well. We want them to learn how to become leaders and make their mark on the Memphis community while they’re here,” said Matthew Bailey, director of student transitions at Rhodes. “By making connections with the Crosstown Concourse community, they will gain experiences that set them up for success beyond college.” Read more to learn along with them!

A group of students from Rhodes College stand in front of a charter bus

The students arrived ready to spend the morning immersing themselves in all things Crosstown Concourse — a huge thank you to J&T Charters for getting them here safe and sound through the blistering August heat.

Upon arrival the Rhodes crew got a special introduction to Crosstown Concourse from CEO Todd Richardson learning not only about the history of the building but also the mission of Concourse today and the impact to the surrounding Crosstown neighborhood. Next they broke up into groups to tour four Concourse tenants making a real impact on Memphis.

a group of students looking up in the central atrium of Crosstown Concourse

Chatting with City Leadership, AKA Choose 901

When asked “who has heard of Choose 901?” a lot of hands went up, but the students learned there’s a lot more to this organization than some of the coolest Memphis-themed merch out there. City Leadership is dedicated to growing Memphis through the strength of its people by serving the community and fighting to retain the best-of-the-best in our beloved city. Students have opportunities to volunteer and apply for internships all focused on making Memphis the best it can be.

A group of students sit in a room with a Choose 901 sign in the window

Chilling in the Memphis Listening Lab

From civic pride to pure Memphis culture, the next stop traded one kind of energy for another entirely. When you have a group of students visit your vertical urban village, you have to show them your “library.” With a vast collection of over 50,000 vinyl albums, hundreds of books, and a free podcast booth, the Memphis Listening Lab creates an experience like no other. The students were treated to selections of Aretha Franklin music in the listening room broadcast by state-of-the-art EgglestonWorks speakers, made right here in Memphis. Memphis’ musical past and future come together in the Memphis Listening Lab. It was easy to imagine future study sessions set to a vinyl soundtrack.

A group of students sit in the listening room in Memphis Listening Lab students listen to a record in Memphis Listening Lab

Creative Inspiration in Crosstown Arts

Students look around in Shared Art at Crosstown Arts

If the Listening Lab was about tuning in, the next stop was about making something of your own. There are so many places to explore in Concourse, and one of the most inspiring is definitely Crosstown Arts. By providing resources for artists of all mediums, Crosstown Arts is helping build the Memphis creative community. These Rhodes students toured the galleries, Green Room, Crosstown Arts Theater, and Shared Art maker’s space. Through programs like their artist residency and Crosstown Sync, students saw the creative ways Crosstown Arts is supporting professional and amateur artists alike.

The Power of Community in Church Health

From creative expression to community care, the final stop brought the morning full circle. Church Health has been serving the Memphis community for nearly 40 years, seeing tens of thousands of patients each year. Gathering in their lobby, the students learned all about their holistic approach and model for health living. Church Health also offers numerous opportunities for students to get involved, including volunteering, internship programs, and a more hands-on “gap year” program for recent graduates considering further training in the medical profession.

A group of students stand in front of the doors of Crosstown Concourse Rhodes and Crosstown Concourse are more than neighbors. In one morning, these students went from strangers in the lobby to volunteers-in-waiting, future interns, vinyl converts, and gallery regulars — proof that Bailey’s vision for what a Rhodes education can look like beyond campus is already taking root. We can’t wait to see where these connections lead, and we hope this orientation stop becomes a tradition worth repeating for every incoming class.