K Kristofferson, Rhodes Scholar, music

Established through the  1902 will of Cecil John Rhodes, the Rhodes Scholarship was a truly visionary project for its time. 120 years later, the Rhodes Scholarships are the oldest and perhaps most prestigious international scholarship programme in the world, enabling outstanding young people around the world to undertake full-time postgraduate study at Oxford Uni. Oxford scored first in the Times Higher Education rankings for 2017-25. 

Oxford Uni

BBC

 

One of the founding aims of the Scholarship was to identify young leaders from over the world who, through pursuing education together at Oxford, would forge bonds of mutual understanding and fellowship to better mankind.

The reputation as the world's most renowned academic scholarship rests not on founder Cecil Rhodes' life, but on the great contributions our Scholars made to the world, and qualities sought in a Rhodes Scholar: intellectual distinction combined with concern for others, energy to lead, and a focus on public service, remain as compelling as ever.

 

Kris Kristofferson had good looks and good music

Credit: Rolling Stone

 

When different people come together in a shared spirit, exciting new things begin. The Rhodes Scholarship is a life-changing opportunity to join outstanding young people from around the world to study at the University of Oxford.

There is a total of 32 Rhodes Scholarships for the U.S each year, covering the 50 states of the US and its territories of American Samoa, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico and Virgin Islands. The Scholarships in the U.S are administered by 16 regional selection committees, each awarding 2 scholarships. 9 scholarships are offered to Australians to enrol in graduate study; 8 Scholarships every year for South Africans; up to 3 scholars are elected from New Zealand each year;  5 scholarships available each year for India; and 3 go to Canada's Prairie Region; 2 Scholarships each to: Ontario, Quebec and the Maritimes. Now students from anywhere in the world can apply, so the competition must be vigorous.

Rhodes Scholarships are postgraduate awards to support study at Oxford Uni. Established in 1903, they are the oldest international graduate scholarship programme in the world. Today 100 Scholarships a year cover all fees and a stipend for 2-3 years, with over 300 Scholars in Residence in Oxford at one time. 

 Kris Kristofferson loved performing at 

Oxford Performing Arts Centre

The criteria which determine Rhodes Scholars:

1.literary and scholastic excellence
2.energy to use one's talents to the full (as  by mastery in areas such as sports, music, debate, dance, theatre, and artistic pursuits, wherever teamwork is involved)
3.truth, courage, devotion to duty, protection of the weak, kindliness, unselfishness and fellowship. And
4.moral force of character and instincts to lead, and to take an interest in one's fellow beings.

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After finishing San Mateo High School in 1954, Kris Kristofferson (1936–2024) enrolled at Pomona College, hoping to become a writer. He studied writing under Dr Frederick Sontag, who encouraged him to apply for a Rhodes scholarship.

He graduated in 1958 and was awarded The Rhodes Scholarship, a prestigious grant that allowed him to study British literature at Oxford. I am not surprised that he wrote stories and examined the works of William Blake. But I had no idea he began writing songs during his time in Oxford. At the same time he began his performing career, was also awarded a University Blue for boxing and he played competitive rugby.

I played hockey at university, but had to give it up when studies demanded my total attention. However Kris continued to play sports and pursue music, all while studying literature. Perhaps he read that the criteria which determined Rhodes Scholars included the mastery of areas such as sports and music.

He graduated from Merton College Oxford, in 1960 and returned to the U.S. Followed in his father's footsteps, Kris served in the American Army and eventually becoming a helicopter pilot at the rank of Captain.  He graduated Airborne School, Ranger School and flight school, served in Germany, and volunteered for Vietnam as a helicopter pilot, but instead was offered a Professor of English Literature position at USMA West Point. Disappointed that he was not allowed to fight in Vietnam, he resigned his position in 1965 and pursued song writing. This surprised me since every male I knew in the last 1960s went into hiding, if they were conscripted into the Australian Army.

Johnny Cash and Kris Kristofferson, date?

Credit: Rolling Stone

 
After being commissioned to teach literature, Kris ended up choosing to Nashville to pursue a music career instead. He got a janitorial job in Nashville Studios where he met Johnny Cash who initially took some of his songs. So I know a lot of the music when Kristofferson changed the face of Country Music back then. But I have never seen any of his poetry or stories.

Now reminisce with Me and Bobby McGee (1970), written by Kristofferson and sung by Janis Joplin:

Freedom is just another word for nothin' left to lose
Nothin', don't mean nothin' hon' if it ain't free, no-no
And feelin' good was easy, Lord, when he sang the blues
You know feelin' good was good enough for me
Good enough for me and my Bobby McGee.