Whatagoodbye

During his nearly 13 years of overseeing Rice’s Facilities Engineering and Planning (FE&P) operations, Doug Tomlinson has been challenged with keeping buildings cool during record-breaking heat waves and with installing a new motor for Rice’s water pump when the campus lost most of its water supply during Hurricane Ike. But he said the most stressful time was the Wednesday before this past Thanksgiving. That’s when the University of Texas at Dallas offered him a position as director of engineering, construction and planning. Tomlinson said he struggled with the decision to leave Rice – “I learn something new here every day” – and he thanked the Rice family for their support and friendship. Before he retired from his role as assistant vice president for project management and engineering Jan. 11, Tomlinson’s FE&P colleagues honored him with a reception at Tudor Fieldhouse, where everyone was treated to Whataburgers, which Tomlinson routinely eats three times a week, and Dr Pepper, his favorite soft drink. Pictured: Tomlinson with Barbara White Bryson, associate vice president for Facilities Engineering and Planning; Tomlinson with a Whataburger cake. (Photos by Jeff Fitlow)