Search begins for new athletic director
The search committee for Rice University's new director of athletics released a document July 31 detailing what it is looking for in potential candidates, according to Rice Director of National Media Relations David Ruth.
President David Leebron announced that he had convened the committee in an email sent July 10 to the Rice community.
Vice President for Administration Kevin Kirby is serving as the committee chair. Other members of the committee include chairman of the Rice board of trustees Bobby Tudor, President of the Houston Texans Jamey Rootes and two student athletes - Brown College senior Gabe Baker and Hanszen College junior Natalie Beazant - according to Leebron's email.
The committee will work together with the firm Korn/Ferry International. Korn/Ferry has been involved in searches for athletic directors at universities across the country.
The committee says it is looking for a director who will ensure student-athletes continue to place an emphasis on integrity and academic excellence, work to bolster Rice's national reputation and focus on staying competitive in NCAA Division I athletics.
According to Kirby, the committee plans to select a new director by early September.
Rick Greenspan, the previous athletics director, resigned June 30 after serving three years in the position. Rick Mello is currently serving as interim director.
To read the full position description written by the search committee, visit
http://www.students.rice.edu/students/Athletics.asp.
The Thresher will continue to follow this story and bring you updates as they become available.
More from The Rice Thresher

Rice’s James Tour and YouTuber ‘Professor Dave’ debate the origins of life
Dave Farina of the YouTube channel ProfessorDaveExplains came to Rice to debate organic chemistry professor James Tour on the topic of abiogenesis, the scientific theory that life on Earth originated from non-living compounds. The debate occurred May 19 in a full Keck Hall, with up to 2,800 viewers watching the event livestreamed on YouTube.

‘Siempre riendo, siempre sonriendo y cantando’: Familia, compañeros recuerdan a Triny Carranza
María Trinidad “Triny” Carranza, Cocinera III en el Cohen House, falleció el 7 de mayo a la edad de 50 años. La hija de Carranza dijo que la causa de la muerte de Triny fue complicaciones de los coágulos de sangre. Criada en la ciudad de Chihuahua, México, Triny visitó Houston a los veinte años y decidió quedarse después de conocer a su futuro esposo, Salvador Carranza, en el mismo departamento en el que ella se hospedaba. Una vez establecida, comenzó a trabajar en la industria culinaria en la que, según su esposo, estaba enamorada.

‘Always laughing, always smiling and singing’: Family, colleagues remember Triny Carranza
María Trinidad “Triny” Carranza, cook III at the Cohen House, passed away May 7 at the age of 50. Carranza’s daughter said Triny’s cause of death was complications from blood clots. Hailing from the city of Chihuahua, Mexico, Triny visited Houston in her early twenties and chose to stay after meeting her future husband, Salvador Carranza, in the same apartment complex. Once settled, she began working in the cooking industry that, according to her husband, she was in love with.
Please note All comments are eligible for publication by The Rice Thresher.