Have you ever heard someone described as a "Rhodes scholar" and wondered what a "Rhodes scholarship" is or how it came to be called by that name? Saturday, April 4, marks the anniversary of the day back in 1902 when the last will and testament of one Cecil Rhodes was read, and it was in this document that Rhodes established the conditions for these scholarships and bequeathed the money to pay for them.
Rhodes was not a particularly admirable character in world history, especially by today's standards, for he was an enthusiastic imperialist who worked to secure British domination over all of Africa (the country of Rhodesia was named for him, but is now called Zimbabwe) and even dreamed of recovering the American colonies for the British Empire. But his reputation was enhanced considerably by another of his dreams, that of providing the means by which talented students from various countries could continue their studies in the fields of their choice at Oxford University in England, and, he hoped, would then return to their homelands to become persons of influence and leadership in their professions.Rhodes described in his will the qualities that he thought were necessary traits in such future leaders, and those characteristics became the qualifications for his scholarships:
1. Scholastic abilities and attainments.
2. Such qualities as truthfulness, courage, devotion to duty, sympathy for and protection of the weak, kindliness, unselfishness and fellowship.
3. Moral force of character and instincts to lead and to take an interest in others.
4. Physical vigor, as shown by a fondness for and success in sports.
Notice how the qualifications for a Rhodes scholarship are different from the traits we usually think of as determining who gets most scholarships offered today. Outstanding scholastic or academic achievement is just one of the considerations, not the only one. Likewise, athletic skill is important, but it alone will not suffice. These considerations are necessary in a Rhodes scholar, but they are not sufficient in themselves. Rhodes believed that there was more to a future leader than just mental or physical excellence, and so he required that any successful applicant exhibit traits of outstanding character and high principles, as well.
There is a lesson here, I think, that all of us can put to good use in our "family learning" activities, and that our children are less and less likely to encounter outside the home.
The characteristics that Cecil Rhodes envisioned for his scholars may serve us very well as guidelines and goals for our children's education. Yes, we should encourage them to attain good grades and to develop their athletic skills to the fullest. But these achievements will be hollow, indeed, if they are not accompanied by an equally rigorous development of character and virtue.
Our praise and encouragement at home cannot be applied only to the skills and achievements that are praised in our schools, for we must remember that our schools have chosen not to involve themselves any more in developing or even in defining "good character." We, then, must provide those out-of-school experiences and examples for children that will allow them to see that their academic and athletic achievements are just a small part of their total education. Will they be able to live a "good life," and to know what that "good life" is, if their learning and their goals have been defined only in terms of grades and touchdowns?- Dr. William F. Russell's books for parents and children include "Classics to Read Aloud to Your Children" and "Classic Myths to Read Aloud." Send your questions and comments to him at Family Learning, 2400 E. Main Street, Suite 266, St. Charles, IL 60174-2414.