Dateline Rice for Feb. 27, 2015

FEATURED ITEM

A special section on education in today’s Houston Business Journal includes a Q&A with Rice President David Leebron; an additional feature that spotlights Leebron and Allison Thacker ’96, chief investment officer, vice president for investments and treasurer of Rice University and president of Rice Management Company; and a couple of articles about compensation.
The Business Journal interview with David Leebron, president, Rice University
Houston Business Journal
http://bit.ly/1G0RpDL
Meet Houston’s top education executives
Houston Business Journal
http://bit.ly/1wrJRkV
What’s the cost: Houston’s highest-paid college and university executives’ compensation
Houston Business Journal (Subscription required.)
http://bit.ly/1wrJiHX
Amid higher student debt, is high exec pay worth it?
Houston Business Journal (Subscription required.)
http://bit.ly/1LRqclq

NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL

The voodoo that MOOCs do
Inside Higher Ed writer Ryan Craig argues that MOOCs lack an appropriate business model that is relatable for students. Reid Whitaker, professor in the practice of digital learning and executive director of Rice’s Center for Digital Learning and Scholarship, is mentioned as the instructor of Rice’s edX AP physics MOOC.
Inside Higher Ed
http://bit.ly/1Bmdn1q

HOUSTON/TEXAS

Texas Medical Center Orchestra provides creative outlet for professionals
The Texas Medical Center Orchestra is featured for its upcoming 15th anniversary on March 1. The article mentions that Rice donated free sheet music in the orchestra’s early days.
Houston Chronicle (Subscription required.)
http://bit.ly/1DZrx8V

On the move: College recruitment and relocation opportunities abound
Kaz Karwowski, executive director of the Rice Center for Engineering Leadership, is quoted in an article about students’ possible concern about the recent layoff announcements within the energy sector.
Houston Chronicle (Subscription required.)
http://bit.ly/18uwD1A

Free digital college textbooks for all
Writer Ira Wilsker reviews the annual convention of the Texas Community College Teachers’ Association held in Dallas and comments on Rice’s OpenStax College’s unique business model.
The Examiner
http://bit.ly/1zMJByd

New speaker series for men at J
Christopher Bronk, former fellow in information technology policy at Rice’s Baker Institute for Public Policy, will discuss Internet security and the cyberwar among the U.S., Israel and Iran at a speaker series for men at the Jewish Community Center in Houston.
Jewish Herald-Voice
http://bit.ly/1BHUtDP

Students disrupt soldiers’ talk at Rice
Members of a Rice student group walked out during a presentation by two former Israeli soldiers who spoke at Rice.
Jewish Herald-Voice
http://bit.ly/18uQQEv

A Houston baker goes to battle at Rice University
Jody Stevens, owner of the local bakery Jodycakes, will compete at the Houston Veterans Business Battle being held at Rice in conjunction with the Rice Veterans in Business Association.
Houstonia
http://bit.ly/1AReODa

BROADCAST

WABC-AM
Douglas Brinkley, professor of history and fellow in history at Rice’s Baker Institute for Public Policy, is interviewed on Fox Business’ “Imus in the Morning.”
http://bit.ly/1G0KJp8

TRADE/PROFESSIONAL

Rice’s Stephan Link honored for nanoscience research: The Welch Foundation honors ‘rising star’ with $100,000 Hackerman Award
The Welch Foundation presented its prestigious Norman Hackerman Award in Chemical Research to Rice University scientist Stephan Link, who was named this year’s “rising star” for his pioneering contributions to the emerging field of nanophotonics. Link is an associate professor of chemistry and of electrical and computer engineering.
Nanotechnology Now
http://bit.ly/17DlGKi
Rice University scientist recognized for contributions to nanophotonics field
AZo Nano
http://bit.ly/1E496S6

Bellicum CEO reflects on rise from Baylor to Houston Biotech darling
Bellicum CEO Tom Farrell spoke at Rice’s BioScience Research Collaborative about the company’s history in Houston.
Xconomy
http://bit.ly/1G0H9LP

OTHER NEWS OF INTEREST

Low voter turnout: A discussion
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, discussed low voter turnout at the League of Women Voters-Houston.
Dos Centavos
http://bit.ly/1wr8caD
League of women voters-Houston
Guidry News
http://bit.ly/1AhBlVS

Academic leaders on the troubled future of biomedical research
The American Association for the Advancement of Science will host a panel discussion about a report called “Restoring the Foundation” at Rice in April.
Duke Today
http://bit.ly/1C4ErU8

Robert Learner on dinosaur ditties, museum serenades
An article about Robert Learner, former director of the Kingman Museum of Natural History and a self-taught guitar player, mentions that he has performed at Rice.
Battle Creek Enquirer
http://bcene.ws/1DZq4zx

SPORTS

Rhoades cites ‘tentative’ approach in Owls’ loss to Old Dominion
Rice men’s basketball fell to Old Dominion University 63-54 at Tudor Fieldhouse. Head coach Mike Rhoades is quoted.
Houston Chronicle (Subscription required.)
http://bit.ly/18uwKKE
Men’s basketball falls to Old Dominion, 63-54
Conference USA (This article also appeared in Big Ten Conference.)
http://bit.ly/1EUgQmR
Old Dominion (20-6) at Rice (10-16)
News & Observer (This article also appeared in Merced Sun-Star and 12 other media outlets.)
http://bit.ly/1DZyyql
Recap: Rice versus Old Dominion
The News Tribune (This article also appeared in Olympian Online and 10 other media outlets.)
http://bit.ly/1AhkG4Q

Lady Monarchs soar past Rice Owls, 83-68
Rice women’s basketball fell to Old Dominion University 83-68 at the Ted Constant Convocation Center.
Old Dominion Athletics (This article also appeared in Augusta Free Press and WAVY.com.)
http://bit.ly/1BHU0lg
WVEC-TV (Norfolk, Va.)
http://bit.ly/1vGgdxp

MTSU track and field finish 7th at C-USA Championships
Brown College junior Chris Sanders and Sid Richardson College sophomore Scott Filip competed at the Conference-USA Championships.
MTSU Sidelines
http://bit.ly/1AAGyNo

Herd basketball to take on a double dose of Florida
Rice men’s basketball game against Marshall University is pictured.
Marshall Parthenon
http://bit.ly/1wuFyLc

Former Rice standout Jessica Kuster signs with Tulsa Shock
Alumna Jessica Kuster ’14 has been added to the Tulsa Shock’s training camp roster.
Tulsa World
http://bit.ly/1EUbJD1
Shock add forward Jessica Kuster to training camp roster
Our Sports Central
http://bit.ly/1DZEkII
Shock adds Jessica Kuster to camp roster
Bleacher Report
http://ble.ac/1866DJ0

After years of bouncing around, David Aardsma hopes to find home with Dodgers
Alumnus David Aardsma ’05, who was recently signed by the Los Angeles Dodgers, is featured.
LA Times (This article also appeared in the Chicago Tribune.)
http://lat.ms/1EUdSyG

NEWS RELEASES

Rice’s Stephan Link honored for nanoscience research
The Welch Foundation today presented its prestigious Norman Hackerman Award in Chemical Research to Rice University scientist Stephan Link, who was named this year’s “rising star” for his pioneering contributions to the emerging field of nanophotonics.
http://bit.ly/1zMFK4n

Deep institutional reform in India’s government needed, Baker Institute expert says
In his first nine months in office, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has announced a raft of initiatives, including a broad push to boost manufacturing. As India awaits the Modi government’s budget speech on Feb. 27, only major restructuring and bold moves recommended in the speech will suffice to unleash India’s true economic potential, according to Russell Green, an India expert and economist at Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy.
http://bit.ly/1FEZDxQ