Dateline Rice for Feb. 27, 2017 (Weekend Edition)

FEATURED ITEM

US role as global intellectual beacon is under threat
Rice President David Leebron, board chair of the Association of American Universities, co-authored an op-ed about the importance of international students and faculty to American higher education and global competitiveness.
Houston Chronicle
http://bit.ly/2lNfFEV

NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL

In rural Western Maryland, fracking divisions run deep
A Rice study on fracking is mentioned.
Washington Post
http://wapo.st/2lNjeJR

Misgivings remain as Saudis prepare to relinquish ‘crown jewels’
Jim Krane, the Wallace S. Wilson Fellow for Energy Studies at Rice’s Baker Institute for Public Policy, is quoted about Saudi Aramco.
Arabian Business
http://bit.ly/2mmc7ev
As Saudis prepare to sell shares in oil giant, some have misgivings
Hellenic Shipping News Worldwide (This also appeared in Times of Malta and Reuters.)
http://bit.ly/2mCoiQk
Ölriese drosselt Förderung in Kanada
Berner Zeitung (An English translation is not available.)
http://bit.ly/2lrljuC

Rice University studied which parts of Houston are most lit so you don’t have to
A report from Rice’s Kinder Institute for Urban Research is shining light on Houston’s streetlight situation. It found that Houston’s 173,724 streetlights (as of August 2015) are concentrated more heavily in black and Hispanic neighborhoods than white neighborhoods. Heather O’Connell, postdoctoral fellow at the institute, is quoted.
Rare
http://bit.ly/2mmjD9e

HOUSTON/TEXAS

Former mayoral candidate Bill King not giving up fight with Turner on pension reform
Mark Jones, the Joseph D. Jamail Chair in Latin American Studies, professor of political science, fellow in political science at Rice’s Baker Institute for Public Policy and fellow at Rice’s Kinder Institute for Urban Research, is quoted about former Mayoral candidate Bill King’s involvement in Mayor Sylvester Turner’s pension initiative, vaccines and “bathroom bills.”
Houston Chronicle (Subscription required. This article appeared on the front page of the Feb. 25 print edition with a different headline, “Pension reform battle pits mayoral foes again.”)
http://bit.ly/2lN396Y
Transgender and gay rights face key hurdles this week in Texas
WOAI
http://bit.ly/2m2Kqa2
Some dude opposes pension reform
Off the Kuff
http://bit.ly/2m2xGAk
In the age of Donald Trump, vaccine policy is becoming politicized, with potentially deadly consequences
Before It’s News
http://bit.ly/2lwkvoi
CBS News Radio 
WBBM (This also aired on 401 other media outlets.)
http://bit.ly/2m2TBXS (Click on the audio button to listen to the broadcast.) 
KTRH
http://bit.ly/2lYFjqL (Click on the audio button to listen to the broadcast.) 
Proyectos de ley dirigidos al acceso a baños transgénero continúan batallando en EEUU
Ayre Venezuela (An English translation is not available.)
http://bit.ly/2lMsQpI

Harris County joins vanguard of marijuana policy
Katharine Neill, the Alfred C. Glassell III Postdoctoral Fellow in Drug Policy at Rice’s Baker Institute for Public Policy, is quoted about Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg’s new marijuana policy.
Houston Chronicle (Subscription required. This article appeared on the front page of the Feb. 27 print edition with a different headline, “County joins vanguard of pot policy.”)
http://bit.ly/2lXyjux
Harris County moves to forefront in relaxing marijuana-possession punishment
Houston Chronicle (Subscription required.) 
http://bit.ly/2lr5Vhd

Texas’ growing Latino population underscores need to focus on education
Steve Murdock, the Allyn and Gladys Cline Professor of Sociology and director of Rice’s Hobby Center for the Study of Texas, is quoted about Texas’ population.
Dallas Morning News
http://bit.ly/2l3TNXg
Inversión en educación determinará futuro de Texas: Mercedes Olivera
Dallas Morning News’ “Al Dia Dallas” (An English translation is not available.)
http://bit.ly/2mvFOXg

It’s Mardi Gras time! Here’s where to celebrate Fat Tuesday in Houston
The Rice Farmer’s Market is mentioned.
Houston Press
http://bit.ly/2lqY0jS

LULAC banquet welcomes thankful students
Rice is mentioned.
The Facts (Subscription required.)
http://bit.ly/2lYanHs

BROADCAST

‘Great Day Houston’
Rice’s Department of Visual and Dramatic Arts, in conjunction with the Pozos Art Project, is presenting an exhibition, “In the Eyes of Our Children: Houston, An American City,” that will feature photos and monoprints. Geoff Winningham ’65, Lynette S. Autrey Professor of Humanities and professor of visual arts, discusses the project.
KHOU
http://bit.ly/2lYDSIV

In the increasingly high-tech oil business, cybersecurity is becoming essential
Charles McConnell, executive director of Rice’s Energy and Environment Initiative, is quoted about cybersecurity.
Houston Public Media
http://bit.ly/2lXMgIA

Veterans battle it out for startup capital
The third annual Veterans Business Battle, sponsored by Entrepreneurs’ Organization-Houston and the Rice University Veterans Business Association, is discussed.
Houston Public Media
http://bit.ly/2l42X68
KTRH
http://bit.ly/2lgOQW5 (Click on the audio button to listen to the broadcast.) 
http://bit.ly/2lgGSwi (Click on the audio button to listen to the broadcast.) 

DiverseCity: Natalie Lin, a musician’s profile
Graduate student Natalie Lin is featured.
Houston Public Media’s “Houston Matters”
http://bit.ly/2lY9Tkz

KRIV
Rice is mentioned.
http://bit.ly/2l4xHE8

‘Education Today’
Linda McSpadden McNeil, professor of education and co-director of Rice’s Center for Education, discusses education policy.
Kiwi6
http://bit.ly/2lYlekA (Click on the audio button to listen to the broadcast.) 

Week 5: Can President Trump’s policy claims be taken seriously?
Douglas Brinkley, professor of history, discusses President Donald Trump and is mentioned on Don Imus’ radio show.
Indivisible Radio (This aired on 164 radio stations.)
http://bit.ly/2mmwuIz
‘Imus in the Morning’
WABC (This also aired on 66 other stations.)
http://bit.ly/2lMEK32 (Click on the audio button to listen to the broadcast.) 

KHOU
Rice’s Moody Center for the Arts opened to the public Feb. 25.
http://bit.ly/2l4SWFN
http://bit.ly/2lMDvRk

C-SPAN3
A broadcast discusses Rice’s history with NASA.
http://bit.ly/2lrpJ3S

TRADE/PROFESSIONAL

New method for analyzing brain activity helps understand stroke impact
A new method developed by Rice psychologists for analyzing brain activity may help researchers better understand what happens to the brain following a stroke. Simon Fischer-Baum, assistant professor of psychology, is quoted.
Technology.org
http://bit.ly/2mvKBbb

Charged Up! podcast: The art of stretching
Scott Sonenshein, the Henry Gardiner Symonds Professor of Management at the Jones School, discusses his new book, “Stretch.”
CreditCards.com
http://bit.ly/2mcA8Bt

How a diabetes drug might stop breast cancer
An international team including Rice researchers has discovered a way to fight the overexpression of a protein associated with the proliferation of breast cancer. Jose Onuchic, the Harry C. and Olga K. Wiess Professor of Physics and Astronomy, and postdoctoral fellow Fang Bai are quoted.
Knowridge Science Report
http://bit.ly/2lMpVND

Students play key biomedical research role in space
A Rice transfer is mentioned.
Space Daily
http://bit.ly/2l898SI

Big data bust: MD Anderson-Watson project dies
Rice is mentioned.
Medscape (Subscription required.)
http://wb.md/2lG35Ym

OTHER NEWS OF INTEREST

News of the weird
There’s at least one person in the world for whom smoking has a beneficial effect, and it took an international collaboration of scientists led by a Rice professor to figure out why. John Olson, the Ralph and Dorothy Looney Professor of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, is mentioned.
Daily Herald
http://bit.ly/2lqZ5rR

Black church leaders say people upset about the election of Donald Trump must overcome their feelings of helplessness through prayer and action
Anthony Pinn, the Agnes Cullen Arnold Professor of Humanities and professor of religion and fellow at Rice’s Kinder Institute for Urban Research, is mentioned.
BCNN1
http://bit.ly/2mvXQbU
Faith leaders advise action to combat ‘Trump-ocrisy’
Los Angeles Sentinel
http://bit.ly/2lOZisx

Houston Solutions Lab: Making the city work better
An article mentions Houston Solutions Lab, a partnership between the city of Houston and Rice.
Progress
http://bit.ly/2m2lC1P

Randolph Township Schools to host Stringfest Feb. 27
An article mentions that Sophie Shao has performed at Rice.
TAP into Randolph
http://bit.ly/2mvz5wF

Future economy needs future-ready social safety net
Moshe Vardi, director of Rice’s Ken Kennedy Institute for Information Technology, the Karen Ostrum George Distinguished Service Professor of Computational Engineering and professor of computer science, expects that within 30 years machines will be capable of doing almost any job that a human can.
The Straits Times
http://bit.ly/2lghp66

5 languages that could change the way you see the world
Alumnus David Fleck ’02 is mentioned.
Nautilus
http://bit.ly/2lp5p5S

LC artist to show watercolor pieces at reception in DeRidder
Rice‘s Glasscock School of Continuing Studies is mentioned.
American Press
http://bit.ly/2lDhByd

Musica Viva’s upcoming concert, ‘The Next Generation,’ welcomes the Rolston String Quartet
An article mentions that the Rolston String Quartet is the ensemble in residence at Rice’s Shepherd School of Music.
Roanoke Times
http://bit.ly/2mfMrQN

Collection of works highlighted in ‘Rhapsody in Blue’ at Heinz Hall
Jon Kimura Parker, professor of piano, is mentioned.
Trib Live
http://bit.ly/2mgwTc2

Effects of Trump’s travel ban on Southwestern University
An article mentions that Rice is one of over 600 colleges and universities that has signed a letter to Secretary of Homeland Security John Kelly about President Donald Trump’s executive order.
The Megaphone
http://bit.ly/2lveQPo

Hutchinson: Auburn Education Foundation eyes positive 2017
Bill Fulton, director of Rice’s Kinder Institute for Urban Research, was added to the Auburn Alumni Hall of Distinction.
The Citizen
http://bit.ly/2l3ZAqS

Windy City Gay Chorus, Windy City Treble Quire to perform Faure’s ‘Requiem’
Alumnus Eric Esparza ’00 is mentioned.
Windy City Times
http://bit.ly/2lwtvcZ

Run! The old world is behind you! — Christopher Sperandio
Christopher Sperandio, associate professor of visual and dramatic arts, is mentioned.
Art Connect
http://bit.ly/2l3Y0oR

Rock climbing group ‘Brothers of Climbing’ answers the question: ‘Do black people climb?’
Graduate student Fred Campbell is mentioned.
Inertia
http://bit.ly/2ldgPGZ

Free young person’s concert: Haven String Quartet
An article mentions that members of the Haven Quartet graduated from Rice.
Fairfield Sun
http://bit.ly/2lFF1F4

Lehigh offices use benchmark schools to evaluate progress
Rice is mentioned.
The Brown and Right
http://bit.ly/2mCp3sR

Port Townsend Library’s kids’ choir to launch season Monday
Rice is mentioned.
Peninsula Daily News
http://bit.ly/2l3JC4W

Paseños, en la mira de ICE
Tony Payan, the Baker Institute for Public Policy’s Françoise and Edward Djerejian Fellow for Mexico Studies and director of the institute’s Mexico Center, is mentioned.
El Diario (An English translation is not available.)
http://bit.ly/2mimqwa

Las citas en linea tienen más beneficios para los hombres que para las mujeres
Scott Solomon, professor in the practice of ecology and evolutionary biology, is mentioned.
Eju! (An English translation is not available.)
http://bit.ly/2m4qzHU

Ali Koç kimdir Fenerbahçe’de Ali Koç sesleri yükseliyor
Alumnus Ali Koc ’90 is mentioned.
Yeni Ufuk (An English translation is not available.)
http://bit.ly/2lNuyFJ

SPORTS

Improving Owls win 20 games for 1st time since 2004
An article discusses Rice men’s basketball’s 2017 season. Head coach Mike Rhoades and Brown College sophomore Marcus Evans are quoted.
Houston Press
http://bit.ly/2m2sUmo

Rice beats Louisiana Tech for 20th win of the season
Rice men’s basketball defeated Louisiana Tech University 88-81. Head coach Mike Rhoades and players Marcus Evans, Marcus Jackson, Connor Cashaw, Marquez Letcher-Ellis and Egor Koulechov are mentioned.
Houston Chronicle (Subscription required.) 
http://bit.ly/2lqAtzx
http://bit.ly/2lM9hhr
Feb. 25: Rice 88, Louisiana Tech 81
Houston Chronicle
http://bit.ly/2lMSuZW
Rice slips past Louisiana Tech for 88-81 win
Houston Chronicle
http://bit.ly/2lXBS3z
Rice snaps La. Tech win streak
The Shreveport Times (This also appeared in the News Star.)
http://bit.ly/2lNM6Sg
La. Tech looks for road sweep at Rice
The Shreveport Times (This also appeared in the News Star.)
http://bit.ly/2lM759E

Women’s college basketball: Baylor tops Texas Tech to clinch Big 12 title; Mulkey gets 500th career win
Rice women’s basketball fell to Louisiana Tech University 51-62. Sid Richardson College junior Nicole Iademarco is mentioned.
Houston Chronicle (Subscription required.) 
http://bit.ly/2l3jwip
2nd-half surge lifts Techsters to victory
The News Star (This also appeared in the Shreveport Times.)
http://tnsne.ws/2mm6won
Techsters to honor seniors against Rice
The News Star (This also appeared in the Shreveport Times.)
http://tnsne.ws/2mvLFfd
Lady Techsters down Rice, 62-51
ArkLaTex
http://bit.ly/2lNyk1K

Marshall holds 3rd place in C-USA swimming
Rice swimming finished second in the 2017 C-USA Championships in Atlanta. Swimmers Kaitlyn Swinney, Rylee Lindhardt, Marie-Claire Schillinger, Alicia Caldwell, Hanna Huston, Jaecey Parham, Kiley Beall, Kaitlin Benjamin and Lauren Rhodes are mentioned.
Herald-Dispatch
http://bit.ly/2lNLiwK
FIU cruising to C-USA title after day 3
College Swimming
http://bit.ly/2lMgXjP
FIU snags 3rd-straight C-USA crown
College Swimming
http://bit.ly/2m2A9uB
Florida International clinches C-USA Championship
Swimming World
http://bit.ly/2m2F12v
Florida International piles on to lead after 3 nights of C-USA Championships
Swimming World
http://bit.ly/2lO5uhI
MU swimming and diving team take 3rd in C-USA
Herald-Dispatch (Subscription required.)
http://bit.ly/2mCtKCH
FIU swim dive claims 3rd-straight C-USA title
Florida Swim Network
http://bit.ly/2lgixGQ
Marshall moves into 2nd place at C-USA Championships; Bendziewicz wins 200 IM
Huntington News
http://bit.ly/2lggsLb
4 school records set by Herd swimming; Rowe swims an NCAA qualifying time
Marshall Athletics
http://bit.ly/2mmf1zS
Herd swimming finishes 3rd at C-USA Championships
Marshall Athletics
http://bit.ly/2lgt0C7

College baseball: Seth Romero strikes out 12, but UH falls to Missouri
Rice baseball won one out of three games against Southeastern Louisiana University. Head coach Wayne Graham and players Dominic DiCaprio, Matt Canterino, Glenn Otto, Charlie Warren, Brad Gneiting, Ryan Chandler, Ricardo Salinas, Roel Garcia, Willy Amador, and Nick Silber are mentioned.
Houston Chronicle (Subscription required.) 
http://bit.ly/2mCqirE
College baseball: UH beats A&M-Corpus Christi; Baylor reaches 8-0
Houston Chronicle (Subscription required.) 
http://bit.ly/2l4ijHX
SLU-Rice: Lions leap to series win
College Baseball Central
http://bit.ly/2lqGLPS
Rice Owls bats wake up, hang 15 on SLU Lions
College Baseball Central
http://bit.ly/2mvT0vq

Cephus embracing pressure of being Cy Ranch’s new head coach
John Pope ’90, assistant baseball coach, is mentioned.
Houston Chronicle
http://bit.ly/2lXB92l

Texas universities that profit the most, least off sports
The Texas Tribune compiled data on the expenses of sports teams for Texas’ eight public universities that compete in the Football Bowl Subdivision. The article mentions that private schools, including Rice, were not tracked.
Houston Chronicle (Subscription required.) 
http://bit.ly/2mmfQZh
http://bit.ly/2lXZKEn

No. 20 A&M takes series versus Pepperdine with Sunday win
Rice baseball is mentioned.
247Sports
http://bit.ly/2lgt2df
Janczak, big 5th inning power Frogs to series sealing win
Frogs O’ War
http://bit.ly/2m2t1y9

No. 11 Baylor men’s golf heads to Querencia Cabo Collegiate
Rice golf is mentioned.
KCEN
http://bit.ly/2lNFDGV
No. 11 Men’s golf heads to Querencia Collegiate
Baylor Athletics
http://bit.ly/2lNy3fd
No. 11 Baylor men’s golf in 4th place at Querencia
KXXV
http://bit.ly/2lg04dI

Campbell leads Southern Miss past North Texas, 76-53
Rice men’s basketball is mentioned.
Houston Chronicle
http://bit.ly/2mC912b
USM clinches spot in C-USA Tournament
Student Printz
http://bit.ly/2mvBKGB

College Basketball: UNH men, UMBC ready for rematch
A Rice transfer is mentioned.
New Hampshire Union Leader
http://bit.ly/2mvwKBw

Lopresti: Delta was last small high school to experience single-class magic
Rice football offensive coordinator Billy Lynch is mentioned.
Indianapolis Business Journal
http://bit.ly/2mCqXti

What should the Red Sox Do with Brock Holt?
Former Rice baseball player Brock Holt is mentioned.
Baseball Prospectus
http://bit.ly/2lMv2NT

Shannon Rowbury gets altitude, warmth and family in Mexico
Alumnus Pablo Solares ’08 is mentioned.
Run Blog Run
http://bit.ly/2mmdzh0

‘Imus in the Morning’
Rice football is mentioned.
WABC (This also aired on 66 other stations.)
http://bit.ly/2lOdvTR (Click on the audio button to listen to the broadcast.) 

NEWS RELEASES

Nano ‘sandwich’ offers unique properties
Rice University researchers have modeled a nanoscale sandwich, the first in what they hope will become a molecular deli for materials scientists.
http://bit.ly/2mmNM8p

International leadership expert Bruce Avolio to join Rice’s Doerr Institute
Internationally known leadership expert Bruce Avolio, the Mark Pigott Chair in Business Strategic Leadership and Executive Directorship in the Center for Leadership and Strategic Thinking at the Michael G. Foster School of Business at the University of Washington, will join Rice University’s Doerr Institute for New Leaders as a fellow. His appointment is effective March 1.
http://bit.ly/2lN2LXH