James Melvin Rhodes

Rhodes died in Highlands (Florida), (Sebring area) on April 29, 1976, at the age of 60.

Together with his wife he sponsored the J. Melvin and Rhoda Metz Rhodes Scholarship, which was first granted in 1976. According to Juniata's Development office the scholarship is still being awarded.

Rhodes theory asserts that creativity is not merely an elusive and fuzzy capacity with no predictable structure, but exhibits a clear-cut composition of four essential components and dominant factors which have an impact to any kind of result, solution or idea. In his epoch-making article Rhodes wrote 1961:

At the completion of his doctorate he accepted a position as assistant professor at the College of Education, University of Arizona in Tucson, Arizona, in 1957. He was on faculty of the department of education from 1957 to 1971 and served for several years additionally as senator-at-large. Also he served in different positions for the Arizona Education Association (AEA).

He resigned as dean of Juniata College in 1952 because of health reasons and went on to Arizona State University (ASU) in Tempe (AZ). There he continued his studies and earned his PhD in philosophy (minor in psychology) in 1957; his dissertation was signed on May 16, 1956. During his time at the university he was since 1953 also employed at the student's placement bureau and got promoted in 1956 to director in charge of this institution.

In 1950 he became an elected member of the honorary educational fraternity Phi Delta Kappa and later also of the American Psychological Association (APA).

In 1948 he was married to Rhoda Catherine Metz, whom he met at Juniata College.

One of the first to be drafted for World War II he served in the military from 1941 until 1946 as a major in the China-Burma-India Theater (CBI). After World War II, Rhodes initially worked as director in charge of personnel at the Johnstown Tribune Publishing company 1946–1947. Thereafter he accepted a position as dean of students and director of admissions and placement at Juniata College 1947–1952. He also continued his studies and earned an MS degree in education (major in psychology) at the University of Pennsylvania (Penn State) in 1950.

He grew up in Middle Taylor, Cambria, Pennsylvania where his father was a farmer. After graduating from high school he went on to study at Juniata College, Huntingdon from 1934 till 1938 and earned a B.A. degree in 1938 (major in sociology). During these schooldays he was president of the Juniata College choir and the Juniata College class of 1938. Having finished his studies his interest of contacting people confirmed him to work as a field representative for Juniata in the years 1938–1941.

James Melvin Rhodes (June 14, 1916 – April 29, 1976) was an American educational scientist, assistant professor of education and creativity researcher who was the originator of the pioneering concept of the 4 "P"s of creativity.

Mel Rhodes was born on June 14, 1916, to Waldo and Grace (Davis) Rhodes in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, as the second eldest of 7 siblings.