‘Celebrate Rice’ photo contest captures spirit and beauty of Rice University

A panoramic picture of Rice University’s iconic Lovett Hall won first place in the “Celebrate Rice” photo contest held by the university’s Susanne M. Glasscock School of Continuing Studies. Neil Martin of West University Place received a $1,000 prize for his entry in the contest, which was held in conjunction with Rice’s centennial year.

The contest winners were announced April 4 during a campus event at the Brochstein Pavilion.

Lance Carter of Houston won second place and $500 for his baseball-themed photo, “Reckling Park at Sunset”; and Luis Ayala of Houston won third place and $500 for his dynamic and lush photo of campus activity near the Brochstein Pavilion and Rice Memorial Center, “Relaxed Saturday Afternoon.” Martin’s photo also won the Glasscock Prize of $250, awarded for the highest-ranking photograph shot by someone who had taken photography classes through the Glasscock School of Continuing Studies.

A panoramic picture of Rice University’s iconic Lovett Hall won first place in the “Celebrate Rice” photo contest held by the university’s Susanne M. Glasscock School of Continuing Studies. Neil Martin, right, of West University Place received a $1,000 prize for his entry in the contest, which was held in conjunction with Rice’s centennial year.

Fifty-four entrants submitted more than 220 photos in the contest, which sought outdoor photos that capture the spirit of Rice and that represent parts of campus that inspire each photographer. Entrants included Rice alumni, students, faculty, staff, Continuing Studies photography students and members of the general public.

Judges for the contest were Peter Brown, photographer, author and an instructor of photography for the Glasscock School of Continuing Studies since 1979; Bevin Bering Dubrowski, executive director of the Houston Center for Photography; and Paul Hester, photographer and lecturer in Rice’s Department of Visual and Dramatic Arts.

First place photo by Neil Martin.

“As jurors we were surprised and pleased by the quality, quantity and diversity of images that were submitted,” Brown said. “The spirit, the beauty, the visual organization and the remarkable details of the Rice campus were well captured.

Second place photo by Lance Carter

“We each learned new things about the university and would like to thank the talented people who took the time to make these images,” he said. “Their work truly celebrates the spirit of Rice University.”

Rice University accepted its first students in 1912 and is celebrating 100 years of unconventional wisdom this year.

The Rice Centennial Celebration served as co-sponsor of the contest, as did Rice’s Office of Public Affairs and Woodson Research Center at Rice’s Fondren Library.

Third place photo by Luis Ayala

The winning photos, eight honorable mentions and the rest of the entrants will be available for viewing at www.gscs.rice.edu/photocontest.

Rice’s Glasscock School of Continuing Studies has offered photography classes since the 1970s as part of its personal development schedule of courses. The school also offers extensive programming in professional development and languages, as well as its Center for College Readiness, Center for Philanthropy and Nonprofit Leadership and its Master of Liberal Studies program. More information on the school can be found at www.gscs.rice.edu.