The Theodore W. and Betty J. Eckels Foundation with support from Rick Eckels ’70 has established the Theodore William Eckels International Art Practicum at Rhodes College.
The Theodore William Eckels International Art Practicum will provide an art immersion experience internationally for four to five outstanding Rhodes students majoring in art or art history to work abroad during an eight-week period in the summer months. The practicum will cover the cost of airfare and accommodation while living abroad.
“This wonderful gift gives our students the opportunity to continue their training in visual art not just beyond the campus, but beyond the United States,” said Prof. David McCarthy, chair of the Department of Art and Art History. “Furthermore, it will help them develop a professional network on which they can call for guidance as they think about their journey following their time with us at Rhodes. In turn, we know that the Eckels International Art Practicum recipients will be there for subsequent generations of art majors and minors who will want to know a little about work abroad and life after college.”
This is the second program of its kind bearing the Eckels name. The Theodore William Eckels International Business Internship first began in 2010 to allow students to obtain work experience in a foreign country during the summer. Internships are awarded to outstanding sophomore or junior declared majors in the Department of Business or the Department of Economics, with relevant foreign language skills. Students have described their experiences as life changing.
To qualify for a Theodore William Eckels International Art Practicum, students must be rising juniors or seniors majoring or minoring in art or art history. The student must also have a minimum overall and major GPA of 3.0 and demonstrate relevant foreign language skills. To be considered, applicants must submit a formal letter of application, a resume, three recommendations and a language evaluation form if appropriate. After returning from the practicum, each recipient will complete a written reflection on the experience and share learning outcomes in a public forum with others in the Rhodes community.
The application process begins Oct. 7. For more information, contact. Prof. David McCarthy at mccarthy@rhodes.edu or Sandi George Tracy, director of career services, at tracy@rhodes.edu.