Martin, Sass, Willis honored for contributions to Rice

Martin,
Sass, Willis honored for contributions to Rice
…………………………………………………………………

BY DAVID THEIS
Special to the Rice News

The Meritorious
Service Awards are presented to members of the Rice community
in recognition of their generous and significant voluntary
contributions of time, energy and creativity toward the
enrichment of the university. The winners will be honored,
along with the Distinguished Alumni and Gold Medalists,
at a dinner May 12 at the Four Seasons Hotel.

William C.
Martin
Since William C. Martin began his tenure at Rice in 1968, he has won the Brown
teaching awards so often that he was declared ineligible for future competitions.
The Harry and Hazel Cha-vanne Professor of Religion and Public Policy at the
James A. Baker III Institute for Public Policy, Martin has written about religion
for a wide audience, most recently authoring “With God on Our Side”
in conjunction with a PBS series on religion.

As a member
of the presidential search committee, Martin was instrumental
in the hiring of George Rupp as Rice’s fifth president.
Although Rupp at one point indicated he was no longer interested
in the position, Martin wouldn’t take no for an answer
and convinced Rupp to take the post.

Martin also
chaired the committee assembled by President Malcolm Gillis
to reevaluate the Rice undergraduate curriculum. Professor
John Boles said, “Bill’s leadership of this controversial
process was marked by its thoughtfulness, good humor and
openness. I don’t believe anyone else on the faculty
could have done the job as well.”

Ronald Sass
Since winning his first teaching award in 1964, Ronald Sass has won the Brown
teaching awards enough times to be declared a lifetime winner in 1986, and he
took home his ninth and most recent teaching award, the Piper Professor Award,
in 1999.

During that
time, Sass has conducted research on the role of methane
as an active atmospheric gas, and his environmental research
takes him frequently to Asia, where he has helped foster
a more professional and conducive atmosphere for the practice
of science. His environmental studies have led him to take
on consulting roles for the United Nations and the Environmental
Protection Agency.

In addition
to having taught chemistry, biology and education, Sass
has simultaneously chaired two departments: ecology and
evolutionary biology and education. Sass also has been co-director
of the Center for Education since its founding in 1988.
His work with public school science teachers in the Model
Science Lab resulted in his picture being hung in Lanier
Middle School.

Linda McNeil,
co-director of the Center for Education, said that Sass
embodies “a seemingly effortless capacity to make teaching,
research and service all of a piece.”

Barbara Willis
Barbara “Babs” Willis retired from her 30-year position as Will Rice
College coordinator, but the memories she left behind are as strong as ever.
According to Karen Rogers ’68, Willis was “probably the one most responsible
for building a strong college associates’ program at Will Rice, and she
set the tone for other residential colleges.” Helen Worden ’38 says
that “after 30 years, Babs became the spirit of WRC: the strong trunk supporting
the many, many branches.”

For decades,
Willis held students’ hands as they made their transitions
from teenager to young adult.

Former students
have acted on their fond memories of Willis’ big heart.
In 1993, more than $25,000 was raised to establish a scholarship
fund in her name. Since her retirement, recent Will Rice
graduates have raised more than $12,000 in her honor.