Dateline Rice for May 21, 2014

NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL

Drama at the times: Some reviews
Julie Fette, associate professor of French studies, authored a letter to the editor in response to the New York Times’ dismissal of Jill Abramson as executive editor.
New York Times
http://nyti.ms/1h88ECQ

The longest day
Douglas Brinkley, professor of history and fellow in history at Rice’s Baker Institute for Public Policy, authored an essay about D-Day, which was first published in the book “LIFE D-Day: Remembering the Battle that Won the War – 70 Years Later.”
TIME (This article also appeared in History News Network.)
http://ti.me/SebArG

Big Bang’s ripples: 2 scientists recall their big discovery
Alumnus Robert Wilson ’57 is featured for his discovery of the faint afterglow of the Big Bang.
National Public Radio (This article also appeared in Vermont Public Radio and 40 other affiliates.)
http://n.pr/1tjxyH2

The best optical illusions of 2014 are truly mind-bending stuff
Graduate student Kimberley Orsten and James Pomerantz, professor of psychology, took third place in the optical illusion contest with their image called “A Turn in the Road.”
Gizmodo (This article also appeared in Gizmodo Australia.)
http://bit.ly/1jCOeaS
Prepare to be amazed! Rice student awarded in optical-illusion contest
News 92 FM
http://bit.ly/1o5IZCp

What VCs say when startup founders leave the room
An article reports on the results from the Rice Business Plan Competition.
CNN Money
http://bit.ly/1m4y2hn

Laughing all the way to the Apple bank: How Healthbook ID could pave the way for mobile payments
Apple may be unveiling a new app called Healthbook to manage an iPhone owner’s health status. A 2013 Rice study on the heartbeat’s ability to become a biometric identifier is cited.
Macworld.co.uk
http://bit.ly/1sPACsl

Vicki Colvin named new provost
Vicki Colvin, vice provost for research, the Kenneth S. Pitzer-Schlumberger Professor and professor of chemical and biomolecular engineering, has accepted the position of provost at Brown University.
Brown Daily Herald (This article also appeared in UWIRE.)
http://bit.ly/1lElN80
Brown names new provost
Providence Journal
http://bit.ly/1vFOl9w

Midwest young artists strikes gold at Fischoff
Lincoln Park High School viola player David Berghoff plans to attend Rice next year.
Chicago Tribune
http://trib.in/1k5exWm

HOUSTON/TEXAS

The leak of Dan Patrick’s mental health records may have helped him
Mark Jones, the Joseph D. Jamail Chair in Latin American Studies, professor and chair of political science and fellow in political science at Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy, is quoted about the Texas primary runoff and San Antonio Mayor Julián Castro.
Texas Public Radio
http://bit.ly/1vFYfYz
Perry and Dewhurst too liberal? Welcome to the new right-wing Texas
Star-Telegram
http://bit.ly/1vFSiuE
Mayor’s exit would be setback for Battleground Texas
Bellingham Herald
http://bit.ly/1jD3AvZ
In Austin, Duncan’s new job could mean a change in political winds
Amarillo Globe-News
http://bit.ly/1pcQ55D
Veteran Democrat waits as GOP contenders slug it out
Amarillo Globe-News
http://bit.ly/1i3Vc33
Texas Democratic leaders snub Kinky
High Plains Public Radio
http://bit.ly/1vGaswr

The Rice School’s new math club completes a successful first year
Anne Papakonstantinou ’69, director of the Rice University School Mathematics Project and clinical assistant professor, authored an article about the project’s new math club. Teaching assistant Kenan Ince is mentioned as the founder of the math club.
Village News
http://bit.ly/TukJ0i

Lone Star College System celebrates student success with commencement ceremonies
Stephen Klineberg, professor of sociology and co-director of Rice’s Kinder Institute for Urban Research, was a commencement speaker at Lone Star College–Kingwood.
Spring Observer (This article also appeared in Lake Houston Observer, Kingwood Observer and Humble Observer.)
http://bit.ly/1npr85z

Tim League
Alumnus Tim League ’92, owner of the Alamo Drafthouse, is featured. Karrie Smith League ’92 is mentioned.
Community Impact
http://bit.ly/1i48PPP

Opciones tras Obamacare: los no asegurados sí pueden comprar pólizas
A new study from the Baker Institute for Public Policy reports that Texas Latinos were more likely to enroll in health insurance through the federal marketplace. Elena Marks, scholar in health policy at the Baker Institute, is quoted.
La Voz
http://bit.ly/1j7vIBt

BROADCAST

Newsmakers May 18: Houston divided over Equal Rights Ordinance
Stephen Klineberg, professor of sociology and co-director of Rice’s Kinder Institute for Urban Research, was interviewed about the results from the Houston Area Survey on “Houston Newsmakers with Khambrel Marshall.” He was also interviewed on Houston Community College’s “Dialogue Houston with Laurence Payne.”
KPRC-TV
http://bit.ly/1vG5M9N

TRADE/PROFESSIONAL

Daylight Solutions delivers Spero microscope to Dr. Rebekah Drezek’s laboratory at Rice University
Daylight Solutions Inc. delivered the world’s first commercially available laser-based infrared microscopy platform to Rebekah Drezek, professor of bioengineering and of electrical and computer engineering. Drezek will assist Daylight Solutions Inc. in leveraging the firm’s imaging technology and applying it to new methods for detecting cancer.
AZoNano.com (This article also appeared in News-Medical, Machinery & Equipment MRO and Pharmiweb.com.)
http://bit.ly/1sU6bBk

Map: The most selective college in each state
Rice is listed as the most selective college in Texas based on the number of applications received for the Class of 2017.
Business Insider
http://read.bi/1jAOVkZ

Burgeoning market spurs new components, design platforms for wearables
Rice chemists created a flexible material with the high energy of a battery or supercapacitor. James Tour, the T.T. and W.F. Chao Chair in Chemistry and professor of mechanical engineering and materials science and of computer science, is quoted. Postdoctoral researchers Yang Yang and graduate student Gedeng Ruan are mentioned.
TTI MarketEye
http://bit.ly/1gkRDKN

Houston technology center celebrates outstanding Texas biotech pioneers
Professor of Chemistry Emeritus Robert Curl ’54 was chosen as a distinguished Texas biotech pioneer for a Lifetime Achievement Award by the Houston Technology Center.
BioNews-Texas
http://bit.ly/1gPeMoY

OTHER NEWS OF INTEREST

New technologies can aid coal acquisition, operations, industry experts report at conference
Charles McConnell, executive director of Rice University’s Energy and Environment Initiative, is quoted about the use of carbon capture, utilization and storage in oil recovery.
TriCities.com
http://bit.ly/1js5ONw

Walmart policy requires customers to fork over their credit card’s 3-digit security code
Christopher Bronk, fellow in information technology policy at Rice’s Baker Institute for Public Policy, is quoted about Walmart’s new checkout security measures.
Consumerist
http://bit.ly/R8XUx9
Why Walmart might ask for your credit card security code
Go Banking Rates
http://bit.ly/1vG2IdQ

Travel well, pay less
According to a new study from Rice University and Iowa State University, consumers who traveled farther and made reservations during business hours were more likely to select higher quality hotels but were less satisfied after their stay. Ajay Kalra, the Herbert S. Autrey Chair in Business and professor of marketing, is quoted.
Daily Worth
http://bit.ly/1oflFQm

College Broadcasters Inc. blasts Georgia State for eliminating student voices on WRAS college radio
The winner of round five in the college radio listening tournament Soundtap Madness will compete against either Rice or University of California-Santa Cruz in the final round May 22-23.
Radio Survivor
http://bit.ly/1qUWB5s

Ahwatukee’s DV sets record for number of valedictorians
Desert Vista High School graduate Saheba Bhatnagar plans to attend Rice next year.
Ahwatukee Foothills News
http://bit.ly/R8ZCyw

Pickerington high schools name ‘Top 10’ seniors
Pickerington High School senior Emily Lisa plans to study mechanical engineering and statistics at Rice.
Pickerington Times-Sun
http://bit.ly/1i4dJMA

First person: Aerospace Industry focuses on technological growth and job retention
John F. Kennedy’s speech given at Rice in 1962 is referenced.
Area Development Online
http://bit.ly/1h89cc7

SPORTS

Owl baseball: Rice University has 6 named All-Conference USA
Six Rice baseball players have earned all-league accolades. Michael Aquino, Shane Hoelscher, Skyler Ewing and Blake Fox were named to the Conference USA first team. John Clay Reeves earned second team all-conference, and Jon Duplantier was named to the league’s all-freshman team squad.
Cypress Creek Mirror (This article also appeared in the Atascocita Observer, East Montgomery County Observer, Humble Observer and the Tomball Potpourri.)
http://bit.ly/SiGlM9

Rice baseball looking to add to trophy mantle
Rice baseball will play Florida International University in the first round of the conference tournament in Hattiesburg, Miss. Head coach Wayne Graham is quoted.
KHOU-TV
http://bit.ly/1tk8bF0
Baseball finishes season; ready to face Rice in tourney
FIUSM.com
http://bit.ly/1jUsUYx
KHOU-TV
http://bit.ly/1o68lzW
WBRC-TV (Birmingham, Ala.)
http://bit.ly/1j7zZ87

Cal Quantrill having a successful first season at Stanford University
Rice baseball’s defeat of Stanford University is mentioned.
Northumberland News
http://bit.ly/1jD2FvA

KBMT-TV (Beaumont)
Rice basketball is mentioned.
http://bit.ly/1koYG4w

KRIV-TV
Senior kicker Chris Boswell is featured.
http://bit.ly/1neSgZv

St. Thomas celebrated as TAPPS’ premier Class 5A boys sports program
St. Thomas High School senior Michael Rodgers, who signed a letter of intent to play baseball at Rice, is mentioned.
Houston Chronicle
http://bit.ly/1pcS3CM

Cougar football: University of Houston’s Tony Levine inks new deal
The Rice Owls are mentioned in the cutline for a photo of University of Houston head coach Tony Levine holding the Bayou Bucket trophy.
Cypress Creek Mirror (This article also appeared in Spring Observer and the Villager.)
http://bit.ly/1lPXfdw

Lexington Park resident Beall to swim at Rice
Great Mills High School senior Kiley Beall accepted an athletics scholarship to Rice.
SoMdNews
http://bit.ly/TuciCg