People, papers and presentations

John Sullivan, assistant communications director with Rice Athletics, was honored this week as the 40th recipient of the Wilbur Snypp Award, which is presented annually by the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association for outstanding contributions to college baseball. The group said that Sullivan, who has been with Rice baseball since 2004 and worked with the sport his entire professional career, “has been a dedicated member of the association for more than 25 years and has assisted in stats compilation, nomination process and updating of the group’s pre- and postseason All-America and All-District teams.” They said Sullivan “is one of the most highly respected baseball media contacts nationally and noted for his assistance to fellow sports information directors whenever possible.” Read more about the award at http://tinyurl.com/k5ewua7.

Rice’s quarterly journal SEL Studies in English Literature 1500-1900 received the 2014 Voyager Award from the Council of Editors of Learned Journals. The award recognizes excellence in any journal covering the period between 1500 and 1800. “In its four substantial issues per volume, which focus on the topics of the English Renaissance, Tudor and Stuart drama, Restoration and the 18th and the 19th centuries, Studies in English Literature has been and remains one of the premier journals of early modern English Literature,” the council’s judges wrote. Logan Browning, publisher and executive editor of SEL and professor of the practice of English, received the award Jan. 8 at the Modern Language Association’s annual convention in Vancouver, Canada.

Two Rice Owls were among the Houston “sporting greats” honored Feb. 20 at the RSI (Recycled Sports Items)-International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Awards Gala at the J.W. Marriott-Galleria. Senior Gabe Baker completed his football career by playing in a record 56th game in the Hawaii Bowl as one of two team captains. He played safety and was a nominee for the Werffel Trophy, had a season-high eight tackles against Army and received the Rice Outstanding Senior Award. Senior Natalie Beazant entered the 2015 dual tennis season tied for fifth on the Owls’ career singles list. Opening the season with a strong 6-1 mark, Beazant became only the fourth Owl with 100 wins. Her overall record currently stands at 101-30. David Medina, director of multicultural community relations, presented the awards to Baker and Beazant at the awards gala.