Frances Gates Rhodes: Former Ombuds at Texas A&M International University

Last week, TAMIU announced the passing of longtime professor and former Faculty Ombuds, Frances Gates Rhodes, from complications of COVID-19. Rhodes was a member of the faculty for 38 years as an Associate Professor of English, former chair, and senior lecturer. She established the Faculty Ombuds position in 2011 and served until her retirement from the university in May 2020. TAMIU President Pablo Arenaz said, “Dr. Rhodes, or as most of us better knew her, ‘Panchita,’ was a beloved faculty member here. She was a passionate advocate for her discipline, for her students, for her colleagues and for this university.” (TAMIU News.)