December 23, 2020

Christopher Fagundes:
Fagundes Named fellow of Academy of Behavioral Medicine Research (Rice News)

Libbye Stamm (1922-2020):
On December 9, Libbye Stamm passed away from COVID-19 at the age of 98.  A native Houstonian, she graduated from Rice in February 1944 where she met her future husband, Henry Edwin Stamm III.  They attended Rice for two years together before he entered military service and then he returned to graduate in 1947.  They were married in 1943 and he passed away in 1997.

In addition to raising a family (one son, Henry Edwin Stamm IV, graduated from Rice in 1971), she “enjoyed singing in Methodist church choirs and with the Sweet Adelines” and she “was an avid bridge player and sports fan”.  Click here for the obituary.

December 21, 2020

Andrea Bajani:
Writer-in-residence leading new journeys with three upcoming books (Rice News)

Early Decision:
Record number of students apply for early decision at Rice (The Rice Thresher)

David Hartman (1935-2020):
On November 27, David Hartman passed away.  Born in the Panama Canal Zone, he earned a BS in Mechanical Engineering in 1956, a MS in Metallurgical Engineering in 1961 and a PhD in Materials Science in 1965 from Rice. After military service, he taught engineering at LeTourneau University  in Longview for 10 ½ years.  Also, he was active in his church.  He is survived by, among others his wife of 53 years, Judi.  Click here for the Arizona Daily Sun obituary.

December 18, 2020

The Ion:
Rice Management and the Ion Announce Microsoft as a Tenant (PR Newsire) 

Glasscock School:
Registration for spring 2021 Community Learning & Engagement courses is now open.  From now through December 31, receive a 20% discount by checking “Apply Discount” and then selecting “CLE December 2020” when checking outClasses will be entirely online.  Browse offerings here.

What's in Woodson:
Honor and Influence (Woodson Research Center)

December 17, 2020

James Bommarito '88:
Q&A with restaurateur James Bommarito (St. Louis)

Sasha Cooke '04:
HGO Presents LIVE FROM THE CULLEN With Sasha Cooke (Broadway World)

Camilla Wicks (1928-2020):
Camilla Wicks, a child prodigy who became a pioneering and world-renowned concert violin soloist in the 1940s-50s and later taught at 10 universities and music conservatories, died November 25.  She was a professor of violin at the Shepherd School from 1988-91.  Click here for the New York Times obituary and here for a violinist.com memorial article and comments.

Recordings of her first and final recitals at Rice can be heard here and here.

Rice HIstory Corner:
Click here for Melissa Kean's latest blog entry entilted "Is This Rice's First Black Coach?"

December 16, 2020

Rice Architecture:
Dogtrot dwelling divides to conquer energy bills (Rice News)

Justice and Cinema:
It's lights, camera, gavel for Cinema and Media Studies minors (Rice News)

Cele Keeper (1927-2020):
On December 3, Cele Keeper passed away.  A native Houstonian, she graduated from Rice in 1946 at age 19.  In addition to raising two children with her husband Sam, she was a department store employee, a lab technician at Baylor College of Medicine and co-owned and ran The House of Books on Stella Link before earning a Masters in social work from UH after the age 49.   Then, she became a therapist, an adjunct professor at Baylor College of Medicine and an author.

She is predeceased by, among others, Sam (he passed away in 2016 after 67 “mostly delicious years together”) and their son Gary (who passed away in 1990 at age 39).   Click here for the Chronicle obituary

December 14, 2020

John Offut, Jr (1961-2020):
On November 20, John Offut Jr passed away while cycling.  Born in Omaha, he earned a BA from Rice in 1983, a MBA from Claremont Graduate University in 1985 and a B.Ed in 2005.  He enjoyed several careers, first as an account executive in the advertising industry, then as a real estate broker buying, selling and renovating houses and finally as an elementary school teacher.  He was an avid reader, a knowledgeable wine enthusiast, an enthusiastic traveler and a gifted athlete who loved cycling best of all.  He is survived by among others, his wife Jane (“a 36-year love story”).  Click here for the Omaha World-Herald obituary.