Dateline Rice for Feb. 26, 2015

FEATURED ITEM

Art empowers and preserves Houston community
The Rice University Building Workshop is mentioned in a feature on Project Row Houses.
PBS NewsHour (This broadcast appeared on 17 other media outlets.)
http://to.pbs.org/1Beeikm

NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL

Cold atoms and lasers do what computers can’t
Rice University physicist Randy Hulet and his collaborators have used ultracold lithium atoms to create a state of matter that may help solve some of the mysteries of high-temperature superconductivity. Their results are described this week in the journal Nature. Hulet is the Fayez Sarofim Professor of Physics and Astronomy.
Futurity
http://bit.ly/1EuLFAl
Simulating materials to hopefully understand superconductivity
Overclockers Club
http://bit.ly/1DZUbIC

The rise of turing robots leads to a fall in wages
Dagobert Brito, the George A. Peterkin Professor of Political Economy, and Robert Curl, University Professor Emeritus and the Kenneth S. Pitzer-Schlumberger Professor Emeritus of Natural Sciences, authored a study on income equality and social mobility.
Newsweek
http://bit.ly/1MUMohV

Astronauts on Spacewalk to build parking lights
David Alexander, professor of physics and astronomy and director of the Rice Space Institute, discussed the construction of a new spacecraft docking port.
ABC News
http://abcn.ws/1akjuZR

Putting a dent in college costs with open-source textbooks
The Student Public Interest Research Groups, state-based advocacy groups that promote affordable textbook options, found that the savings for students can be significant if textbooks were replaced with free or low-cost “open-source” electronic versions. Rice’s OpenStax College is mentioned.
New York Times
http://nyti.ms/1JQpetZ
Open source textbooks a possibility for USC
The Daily Gamecock
http://bit.ly/1LMvjFv

Sex, lies and espionage: How the FBI pushed a professor to spy
Rice President David Leebron is quoted as a member of the National Security Higher Education Advisory Board in an article that references concerns between intelligence agencies and academic leaders.
The State (This article also appeared in the Olympian and 34 other media outlets.)
http://bit.ly/1BgYIod

HOUSTON/TEXAS

Banks reach out to a wealth of diverse communities
Carol Wyatt, who faced trouble with estate planning for her same-sex relationship, started the “Just Get It Done” project that includes contacts for attorneys and resources to help same-sex couples complete their paperwork. Brian Riedel, assistant director of Rice’s Center for the Study of Women, Gender and Sexuality, is quoted.
Houston Chronicle (Subscription required.)
http://bit.ly/1EuDh3Y

Where Texas’ US representatives went to college
Rice is pictured in a slideshow of colleges attended by U.S. representatives, which includes Congressman Peter Olson ’85.
Houston Chronicle (Subscription required.)
http://bit.ly/1GxGbUT

Rice University volunteer coaches to row across the Atlantic
A feature on the Rice rowing team mentions that coaches Mike Matson and David Alviar plan to row across the Atlantic to help raise money for the team’s boathouse on Buffalo Bayou. Alviar is quoted.
KPRC-TV
http://bit.ly/1wj80tO
http://bit.ly/1AbEc2H
KTRK-TV
http://bit.ly/1zKXUDo

Torn on the bayou
Bob Stein, the Lena Gohlman Fox Professor of Political Science, discusses past Houston mayoral candidates.
Texas Monthly
http://bit.ly/1DWLoWt

Critics call on gay Democratic chair to resign
Political operatives are worried that gay political activist Lane Lewis will use his job as chair of the Harris County Democratic Party to boost his city council campaign. 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.
Project Q Houston
http://bit.ly/1824Wfs

Rice launches Religion and Hip-Hop Culture online course: Free class by Anthony Pinn and Bernard ‘Bun B’ Freeman kicks off March 24
Religion and Hip-Hop Culture is a new free edX online course being offered by Rice University’s Center for Digital Learning and Scholarship. Anthony Pinn, the Agnes Cullen Arnold Professor of Humanities and professor of religious studies, and Bernard “Bun B” Freeman, the Center for Engaged Research and Collaborative Learning’s Distinguished Lecturer, will lead the course.
Houston Forward Times
http://bit.ly/1wj8P61
Bun B and Anthony Pinn on The Breakfast Club
HipHop-n-more.com
http://bit.ly/1828uhL

Rice University dorm leader resigns after lap dance vid goes viral
A Rice Thresher article about the resignation of a president-elect at a residential college is cited, including quotes from Associate Dean of Undergraduates Don Ostdiek and some unidentified students.
Houston Press
http://bit.ly/1EurFxQ

BROADCAST

Anthony Brandt on creativity
Anthony Brandt, associate professor of composition and theory at Rice’s Shepherd School of Music, discusses his upcoming book and the importance of creativity in upbringing.
Literal Magazine
http://bit.ly/1MV490J

Jordan’s fuzzy definition of free speech
Jordan’s Information Minister Mohammad Al-Momani mentions his years spent studying at Rice, which taught him about Americans’ view of free expression.
National Public Radio (This broadcast aired on 80 other media outlets.)
http://n.pr/1Aw4dP7

TRADE/PROFESSIONAL

Tax code should be ‘tossed out,’ expert tells Senators
Tax experts agreed that tax reform will boost economic growth, and the best way to achieve it is by eliminating the current tax code. John Diamond, adjunct assistant professor of economics and lecturer of economics, agrees that tax reform is overdue.
Think Advisor
http://bit.ly/1LJiF8k

Asphaltene analysis to help oil industry tackled clogged wells and flow lines
Rice University researchers have developed an easy and accurate technique to detect and quantify the amount of asphaltene precipitated from crude oils, which bedevils the oil industry by clogging wells and flow lines. Francisco Vargas, assistant professor of chemical and biomolecular engineering, is quoted.
World Industrial Reporter
http://bit.ly/1apCZjr

OTHER NEWS OF INTEREST

Students’ water conservation idea earns them a trip to national competition
A team from Penn State will compete against a Rice team at BP’s Ultimate Field Trip Competition in Houston.
State College
http://bit.ly/1vCqNFA

Provost spearheads digital education efforts
Vicki Colvin, Rice’s former vice provost for research who is now provost of Brown University, is aiming to flip classrooms at Brown so students can watch lectures online for homework and use class time for assistance with problems and applied work.
Brown Daily Herald
http://bit.ly/1wrLi8u

Mount Ayr graduate preps for 3rd space expedition
Alumna Peggy Whitson ’85 is scheduled to be on two of the next three International Space Station missions.
Creston News Advertiser
http://bit.ly/1zIiS5Y

SPORTS

Freshmen reflect on time with senior class
Rice basketball players Jeremy Jones, Bishop Mency, Nate Pollard, Jordan Redd and J.T. Trauber discuss seniors Seth Gearhart, Van Green and Dan Peera before their final home contest as Owls.
Conference USA
http://bit.ly/1Aw7HRA

Old Dominion (20-6) at Rice (10-16)
Rice men’s basketball will play against Old Dominion University today at 7 p.m. in Tudor Fieldhouse.
Myrtle Beach Online
http://bit.ly/1FxVawU
Rice versus Old Dominion — Feb. 26, 2015 college basketball pick, odds and prediction
Sports Chat Place
http://bit.ly/1zhWmQn

After Silver Slugger-winning season, Anthony Rendon hopes to keep it simple in 2015
Alumnus Anthony Rendon ’12 is featured.
The Washington Post
http://wapo.st/1BAYaLH
No limits for Anthony Rendon’s greatness
MASN Sports
http://bit.ly/1wrTG7X

NEWS RELEASE

Rice political scientists available to discuss potential DHS shutdown
As the Department of Homeland Security faces a shutdown following a congressional stalemate on immigration, Rice University political scientist Paul Brace is available to discuss fallout for the new Republican majorities and Rice political scientist Richard Stoll is available to discuss how a DHS shutdown will impact the country.
http://bit.ly/1MV3zQo