Dateline Rice for Feb. 17, 2015

NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL

Oil plunge sends energy workers back to business school
The energy industry cut 20,193 jobs last month, which has resulted in more young professionals in the energy sector starting business school this fall. Rice’s Jones Graduate School of Business reported an increase in applications from energy-sector candidates for its two-year full-time MBA program.
Wall Street Journal
http://on.wsj.com/1AhOp0U

Could an injection stop brain damage in minutes?
PEG-HCC nanoparticles show promise for quenching the overexpression of damaging superoxides in preclinical trauma models. New tests show the process is due to catalytic turnover of reactive oxygen species. James Tour, the T.T. and W.F. Chao Professor of Chemistry, professor of computer science and of materials science and nanoengineering, is quoted.
Epoch Times
http://bit.ly/1EJL8rS

Mexico’s Pemex puts refinery updates on hold in $4.1 billion cuts program
Miriam Grunstein, contributing expert and scholar in the Mexico Center at Rice’s Baker Institute for Public Policy, comments on Pemex’s decision to delay plans for refinery upgrades to maintain spending on maintaining crude and natural gas production.
Platts.com
http://bit.ly/17lKV35

HOUSTON/TEXAS

Abbott’s first State of the State address to be keenly watched for content and tone
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, explains what he will be listening for in Gov. Greg Abbott’s State of the State address and Leticia Van de Putte’s odds of becoming San Antonio’s mayor.
Texas Public Radio
http://bit.ly/19rMluI
Greg Abbott’s State of the State and the state of his governorship
Austin American-Statesman Blog
http://atxne.ws/1yRpBck
Leticia Van de Putte — PDB pick, Feb. 17, 2015
OZY.com
http://bit.ly/1CEoDVB

New book and online class launch celebration Feb. 19 at Alley Kat
Anthony Pinn, the Agnes Cullen Arnold Professor of Humanities and professor of religion, and Bernard “Bun B” Freeman, the Center for Engaged Research and Collaborative Learning’s Distinguished Lecturer, will be honored at a book launch for their forthcoming free online edX course, Religion and Hip-Hip Culture.
Houston Style Magazine
http://bit.ly/1FnQddt

‘BOB: A Life in Five Acts’ doesn’t entirely disappoint at Rice University
Houston Press writer Alexandra Doyle reviews the Rice show “BOB: A Life in Five Acts,” which will run until Feb. 21 at Rice’s Hamman Hall.
Houston Press
http://bit.ly/1CDXRgb

Fat Tuesday at the Rice Farmers Market 2015
Chefs de cuisine Sarah Finster and Terry Savoie will be preparing Cajun cuisine onsite for Fat Tuesday at Rice Farmers Market.
CultureMap Houston
http://bit.ly/1vkjJb1

BROADCAST

WSCL-FM (Salisbury, Md.)
Alumna Jade Simmons ’03, who studied under Jon Kimura Parker, professor of piano, will perform at Elgin Community College for its Black History Month celebration. Simmons chose a piece performed by Parker and Larry Rachleff, the Walter Kris Hubert Professor of Orchestra Conducting, to be played on air.
http://bit.ly/1EJZatB

OTHER NEWS OF INTEREST

Auburn may offer free textbooks for students
Auburn University’s Student Government Association Senate will vote on a proposed bill that would provide Auburn students with free or inexpensive online textbooks through Rice’s Openstax College.
The Plainsman
http://bit.ly/1EJsgtc

Student engineering team competes in British Petroleum’s national contest
Rice is a finalist in the British Petroleum’s Ultimate Field Trip global competition.
The Oklahoma Daily
http://bit.ly/1zl4bpj

Keep college prep out of elementary school
Elementary schools are embracing college prep and helping children understand and explore higher-education options. Rice’s elementary and middle school tours, teacher resource page and classroom packets are mentioned.
The Oracle
http://bit.ly/1FncrMF

SPORTS

Owls host HBU Tuesday to close out homestand
Rice baseball will play against Houston Baptist University today at Reckling Park. Head coach Wayne Graham is profiled.
Conference USA
http://bit.ly/1vC8Hyd

Gearhart earns Conference USA Player of the Week honor
Senior basketball player Seth Gearhart earned Conference USA Player of the Week honors for leading Rice to a pair of double-overtime wins.
Bellaire Examiner (This article also appeared in the Sugar Land Sun, Fort Bend Sun, Memorial Examiner and Big Ten Conference.)
http://bit.ly/1AzGZcX

Freshman shine for Texas Longhorns baseball
Rice baseball fell to the University of Texas 4-3 at Reckling Park.
Fansided
http://bit.ly/1zl2BUn