Dateline Rice for March 19, 2014

FEATURED ITEMS

In Houston, Pelosi outlines her sense of women’s priorities
U.S. House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., spoke at Rice’s Baker Institute for Public Policy March 18. Former U.S. Secretary of State James Baker, honorary chair of the Baker Institute; Edward Djerejian, founding director of Rice’s Baker Institute for Public Policy and former U.S. ambassador to Syria and Israel; and alumnus Neeraj Salhotra ’13 are mentioned.
Houston Chronicle (This appeared on the front of the City & State section.)
http://bit.ly/NtElxK
Pelosi talks issues in Houston
KTRH-AM
http://bit.ly/OwDkGm

Principal who told kids not to speak Spanish will lose job
The Hempstead Middle School principal’s contract will not be renewed because she repeatedly instructed students via intercom to not speak Spanish on campus. Steve Murdock, the Allyn and Gladys Cline Professor of Sociology and director of Rice’s Hobby Center for the Study of Texas, comments on the fast growth of Texas’ Hispanic population.
Houston Chronicle (This article was the top front-page story.)
http://bit.ly/1dcX0dx

How do disparities in Houston education affect the city’s economy?
A report from Rice’s Shell Center for Sustainability examines disparities in education and income in Houston, and its impact on the city’s economic expansion. Lester King, author of the report and a sustainability fellow for the Shell Center, discusses these report findings on the National Public Radio program “Houston Matters.”
KUHF-FM
http://bit.ly/1nDNNPK

NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL

Small changes in homework practices improved learning, study finds
Study from Rice University and Duke University found that making a few changes to homework assignments in an upper-level undergraduate engineering course at Rice led to improved scores on exams.
Chronicle of Higher Education
http://bit.ly/1p8Htv1
Rice study: Simple changes to homework improved student learning
Health Canal (This article also appeared in Science Codex and ScienceNewsline.)
http://bit.ly/1ekUe4b

In business roundtable survey, CEOs see no quick increase in hiring
U.S. business leaders are looking to boost U.S. capital spending. A Rice study is referenced.
Wall Street Journal
http://on.wsj.com/1gavb5U

Nancy Pelosi calls for ‘livable wage’ and more paid sick leave in Houston
At a Houston event titled “When Women Succeed, America Succeeds,” Rice alumna Allison Lami Sawyer ’10 spoke about Rebellion Photonics, the company she founded that developed technology from Rice.
Breitbart
http://bit.ly/1cZIHZE

Letter to John Kerry on Venezuela
Luis Duno-Gottberg, professor of Spanish and Portuguese, signed a letter to John Kerry.
VenezuelaAnalysis.com
http://bit.ly/1gPEBi9

HOUSTON/TEXAS

Houston features
Rice’s Shepherd School of Music announced that Diller Scofidio + Renfro DS+R) has been selected as architect of the school’s new opera theater, scheduled to open in 2018. In addition, Fisher Dachs Associates will lead the theater design, and Threshold Acoustics will provide acoustical direction for the project. Robert Yekovich, dean of the Shepherd School of Music and the Elma Schneider Professor of Music, is quoted.
Houston Chronicle
http://bit.ly/1l3qHjQ
Architect chosen for Rice University opera theater
American School & University
http://bit.ly/1ih4iMf

Search continues for missing Rice University student
The family of missing Martel College senior Reny Jose is pleading for any new information regarding his disappearance.
KPRC-TV
http://bit.ly/1mh3yKT
Family of Rice student lost on spring break trip issues new appeal for help
Houston Chronicle
http://bit.ly/1eRCJ8o
Family of missing Rice University spring breaker appeals for help
Fox News
http://fxn.ws/1dpDvck
Florida authorities prepare for spring break crowds with portable jails, extra staff
Huffington Post
http://huff.to/1mheY16

Dan Patrick cancels participation in closed-door runoff debate with Dewhurst
Mark Jones, the Joseph D. Jamail Chair in Latin American Studies, professor and chair of political science and fellow in political science at Rice’s Baker Institute for Public Policy, is quoted about the Texas primary runoff candidates.
Texas Public Radio
http://bit.ly/1cZQfeP
Debate cancelled after GOP candidates learn it is closed to the public
KLBJ-FM (Austin)
http://bit.ly/1l3L2FI

Wednesday letters: Military honors, getting rich, home values
Rice is mentioned for its research on hurricane damage.
Houston Chronicle
http://bit.ly/1ou5376

Mayor reshuffles top staff
Alumnus Chris Newport ’13 has been named chief of staff for Houston Mayor and alumna Annise Parker ’78.
Houston Chronicle (Subscription required.)
http://bit.ly/1qUzCVC

Author to sign copies of book Thursday at Fort Hood
Author Debra Winegarten studied the Oveta Culp Hobby archives at Rice for her new autobiography about the Killeen native.
Fort Hood Herald
http://bit.ly/1g00EXo

BROADCAST

Political expert expects school closures will return to Houston board
Bob Stein, the Lena Gohlman Fox Professor of Political Science, is quoted about HISD’s board meeting to discuss proposed school closures.
KUHF-FM
http://bit.ly/1fHAFiF

TRADE/PROFESSIONAL

Making Ireland a synbio hub – Synthetic Biology Future (video)
Matthew Bennett, assistant professor of biochemistry and cell biology, will speak at the Synthetic Biology Future conference.
Silicon Republic
http://bit.ly/1fXzfFM

University of Texas-Pan American takes top prize for campaign to inspire action on our national debt
Rice won the creativity award at the 2014 Up to Us campus competition five-week challenge.
TMCNet.com (This article also appeared in 4-Trader, the Herald and Fort Mill Times.)
http://bit.ly/PPyMeU

Mike Breard: Should you buy small oil and gas stocks for deep profits?
Alumnus Mike Breard ’63 is interviewed.
Kapitall Wire
http://bit.ly/1dcXDDV

Will FedEx cash in on online shopping surge?
A Rice stock market study is referenced.
Investing.com
http://bit.ly/1p8J0RX
What the buy side expects from Guess?
Investing.com
http://bit.ly/1dpxxs2

Jednoduchá výroba diamantových filmů
Perfect sheets of diamond a few atoms thick appear to be possible even without the big squeeze that makes natural gems. Rice research is mentioned.
Science World (An English translation is not available.)
http://bit.ly/1g0oa6L

OTHER NEWS OF INTEREST

MRRF: 3-D bioprinting
Rice’s maker community is referenced.
Hack A Day
http://bit.ly/OBJLHR

Run for SC, encourage others
Rice is referenced for its university court.
The Shorthorn
http://bit.ly/1otLWde

Bun B: Show preview
Bernard “Bun B” Freeman, the Center for Engaged Research and Collaborative Learning’s Distinguished Lecturer, is featured for his upcoming tour.
SFWeekly.com
http://bit.ly/1kIehuN

Public confused about climate change? It’s everybody’s fault but the media’s
Rice alumna Julie Hollar ’99 authored an op-ed about public confusion surrounding climate change.
Common Dreams
http://bit.ly/1eS57Hu

SPORTS

Rice Owls baseball: Pitching staff leading the way through adversity
Rice baseball is featured for their recent winning streak. Head baseball coach Wayne Graham and players Jordan Stephens, Zech Lemond, Matt Ditman, Kevin McCanna, Blake Fox, Chase McDowell, John Clay Reeves are mentioned.
College Baseball Central
http://bit.ly/1j5YkwX

Swimming: Spring native to compete at NCAA Championships
Junior swimmer Casey Clark will represent Rice in three events at the NCAA Women’s Swimming Championships in Minneapolis.
Spring Observer
http://bit.ly/1hB4eVL

Kayla Kovar finishes 10th in shot put at NCAA Indoor Championships
Rice junior thrower Claire Uke is mentioned.
The Daily Independent
http://bit.ly/1qUK4N0

Former Kinkaid coach Hill now the new man at St. Pius
Former offensive quality control coach Stephen Hill is the new head football coach for St. Pius.
Bellaire Examiner (This article also appeared in Memorial Examiner.)
http://bit.ly/1otMShZ

Rendon wants to pull his weight
Alumnus Anthony Rendon ’12 is featured.
High Beam Research
http://bit.ly/PPyh4L

NEWS RELEASE

Opening of American skies to drones topic at Rice’s Baker Institute March 25
John Villasenor, a nonresident senior fellow at the Brookings Institution, will discuss the future use of domestic unmanned aircraft, so-called drones, in the United States at Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy March 25.
http://bit.ly/1dpXIyD