Katherine Jeng, the event's co-chair, said that she noticed a lack of civic participation among Rice students since her freshman year. She has been dedicated to increasing political engagement culture since then, she said.

"In 2022, my co-chair, Olivia Roark, and former Student Association President Solomon Ni championed a Student Association Senate resolution to the Faculty Senate to designate Election Day as a non-instructional day," Jeng, a Hanszen College senior, said. "As a result of their hard work, we have our first-ever non-instructional civic engagement day."

Roark said that the event was part of an effort to make future election days non-instructional.

"Having worked with RiceVotes as a member of the Student Association to secure Rice's first-ever non-instructional Election Day, it felt critically important to me that our campus community use this day to come together in the spirit of civic engagement," Roark said. "We hope that … the block party will help to make Election Day a permanent non-instructional day in the future."

According to Jeng, over 700 students, faculty, sponsors and donors attended the event, and more than 12 vendors, including Amy's Ice Cream, Redbull and Kirkland and Costco Pizza, passed out free food. The experience for vendors went smoothly according to T.K. Oyedele, general manager of Amy's Ice Cream.

"We wanted to give, especially the young folks, an incentive to come out and make their voices known and heard," Oyedele said. "Especially with the young folks, we want to encourage them early on to let them know that their voice matters and to make sure they have their say in what happens within our government."

Ian Schechter, a Sid Richardson College freshman, said that the event was highly attended.

"The event struck me because of how massive it was and how many people there were, lots of whom I knew," Schechter said.

Katie Noonan, a Wiess College senior, said the energy in the quad was tangible.

"It was very crowded," Noonan said. "Rice students are always motivated by food, but there's a very good turnout, and people seem really excited to actually get out and vote, and lots of people encourage each other to go vote if they haven't."

Sowmya Viswanathan, a civic engagement representative for Martel College, said she volunteered to ensure voting accessibility for the Rice student body.

"I think it's a really successful event. It shows we really do deserve this day off because people are coming out, voting and then learning about all the different organizations that are here," Viswanathan, a senior, said. "People do care, they do want to come out and talk about these issues and make an informed choice as a voter. That's really important for our democracy, to have engaged and knowledgeable citizens who are making positive choices."

Sid Richardson, in collaboration with student organizations like RiceVotes, Civic Duty Rice and IGNITE, hosted a university-wide election party this year, the first since 2016. The Center for Civic Leadership used to host election parties before the COVID-19 pandemic, said Sid Richardson magister Melissa Marschall. While there were no watch parties for the 2020 election, RiceVotes hosted one for the 2022 midterms.

The largest television in the commons displayed live CNN election coverage, while a quad-view of a smaller television provided coverage by The Wall Street Journal and The New York Times, along with a student-made spreadsheet detailing areas to keep an eye on.

Sid Richardson president Akshay Sethi said that the college's large television screens and 300-person-capacity commons made it a prime location for a large-scale watch party.

"As a civic engagement [representative] and as the president of the college, I wanted to host a watch party in Sid commons, but to make it more of a campus-wide thing," Sethi, a senior, said.

Sethi said the college received CCL funding to buy dinner and snacks for the event, and coffee was provided alongside a RiceVotes photo booth.

Bennett Reddig said the watch party was a place to not only support his friends but to also see the culmination of his previous following of polls.

"I had some friends who were helping run [the event], and I wanted to come to a high-energy environment where there was enthusiasm," Reddig, a McMurtry College sophomore, said. "I've been following the election and polls for the last few weeks, and this felt like an accumulation of all those hours."

Marschall said that watch parties help stoke engagement among first-time voters.

"Elections are important events and watch parties allow dialogue and debate," Marschall wrote in an email to the Thresher. "Obviously the TV election coverage includes a lot of information about the Electoral College, election administration, electoral history, election laws, electoral geography, etc. Watching this in a group means students can ask each other questions and delve deeper into these topics. It can be very educational for first-time voters."

Victoria Roman said she thought the watch party was a good place to keep track of the first election she could vote in.

"I feel like it's very important to be present, be participatory and get involved," Roman, a Duncan College sophomore, said. "The vibe is ecstatic … they're recording on the TV tiny results that you know aren't going to be really big, and everyone's still cheering, so it really gets your spirits up in a time that is very, very nerve-wracking."

"I think the watch party is a great way to culminate the many months and weeks of talking about the election with friends or talking about politics - something that this generation understands is really close and dear to our own personal goals or values," Sethi said.

"It did not take much time at all," said Nat Pujet, a Duncan College sophomore who voted around noon. "We were thinking of going at 7 [a.m.], but then we were like, 'Wait a minute, we've got to game theory this, other people are going to have the same idea."

Karyn Fu, the presiding election judge, said she was surprised to see so many voters lined up so early in the morning.

"I did not think people would get up early to vote first thing in the morning," said Fu, a Baker College sophomore. "It's been really fulfilling to see people so excited to vote, willing to wait so long just to cast their ballot."

Alongside student voters: Rice president Reggie DesRoches cast his ballot on Tuesday, with his family in tow.

"Some of those voters were students eligible to vote for the first time, which is such a big milestone," DesRoches wrote in a statement to the Thresher. "Personally, it was wonderful for my wife, Paula, 92-year-old father and me to vote at the Welcome Center as well."

While some say they considered early voting, many ended up choosing to vote on campus due to Sewall Hall's central location and lack of classes. Glen Henson, a Hanszen College sophomore, said he appreciated its proximity to his dorm room.

"Being close [to the dorms] is a big part of the convenience," Henson said. "I definitely thought I'd have to wait a little bit."

"We had the day off, so I thought it would just be easier to go today," Pujet said.

Located in Sewall Hall, the Welcome Center was abuzz with anxious chatter about the election's eventual outcome. Caroline Pollan, an Austin native, said the election was stressful for her and her peers.

"It is [my] first presidential election, so it is exciting to be involved," said Pollan, a Duncan College sophomore. "I'm more scared for the results."

Others were more confident that things would swing their way, like Rice linguistics professor emeritus Sydney Lamb.

"I'm expecting [Kamala] Harris to win big time," Lamb said. "It's been a long time coming."

The presidential election was a main concern for many, but others highlighted the importance of voting for local policies and candidates. Charlene Cogborn, a Spring, Texas resident, stationed herself outside of Sewall Hall to educate student voters about Propositions A and B, which combined propose a total of $4.4 billion in bonds to pay for infrastructure needs and technology improvements in the Houston Independent School District.

The proposals are highly contested, drawing criticism from Democrats and Republicans alike - the Houston Chronicle's editorial board has urged residents to vote no on the measure.

"The current school board superintendent, Mike Miles, has not been a good steward of the money that he's already been given," Cogborn said. "I don't have any children, I don't live in HISD, but this is important enough for me to be out here and supporting this."

"I grew up in Texas, and I think that means that I have a little bit more investment in the local elections," said Raven Shamoo, a Hanszen junior. "I would like for people in support of women's rights and LGBT rights to win."

Many said they felt empowered stepping up to the voting stations and sliding their ballots through the scanners on their way out.

"Having a collective push together in unison can be really impactful," Henson said.

"Taking a role in the civic process helps you stay educated, helps you keep up with what's going on," Shamoo said. "It's really easy to fade into the background and feel like you don't have an active role in the society that you live in, when you really do."

Steiner said the club provides members with the skills and confidence to promote change in politics.

"I think there's a lot of great political organizations and civic engagement clubs on campus, like Civic Duty Rice [and] RiceVotes. But what I noticed that Rice was lacking was one specifically aimed at women," Steiner, a McMurtry College sophomore, said. "I took a gender and politics class my freshman fall, and it really showcased the big gap between genders in the political landscape … I thought it was a great opportunity to focus on closing that gap here within the Rice community."

Ahmad said that IGNITE's main focus this semester is to increase civic engagement.

"We want to reach out to pretty much anyone on the Rice campus and be able to connect them with the resources to learn about the field of politics and civic engagement so they can learn about the influence that they can have in the field and be able to go forth and create change in the world," Ahmad, a Baker College sophomore, said.

IGNITE has helped host two events - a watch party and a block party - for the Nov. 5 election in collaboration with RiceVotes, Civic Duty Rice and the political science department.

"Over the last few weeks, what we've been most focused on is, of course, Election Day on November 5," Ahmad said. "We've been working with a lot of other organizations on campus to put on both the Election Day block party, as well as the watch party."

Ahmad said that the watch party, held in the Sid Richardson College commons, live streamed the election results. Throughout the night, they had pizza and snacks, activities like trivia, a poll worker appreciation event, photo booth and election bingo.

Steiner said she's most excited to engage with the Rice community and see the club's impact, especially in furthering conversation on gender in politics.

"Our main focus is to have events serve as a platform for our members to communicate with each other and share their own experiences, to not only increase civic engagement but also increase political empowerment amongst them and make sure that everyone is feeling heard and understood," Steiner said.

Club treasurer Arrya Abmayr said she hopes that the IGNITE chapter at Rice will provide students with the educational resources and community that will help them engage in politics.

"I really, really want this club to be about our members so much more than it's about us," Abmayr, a Brown College sophomore, said. "I want people to feel connected with their community, with the Houston area, or the Texas area or the US as a whole, and be able to engage politically in issues that they think matter and that matter to them and be able to have all of the information available that they need."

The first president of Rice, Edgar Odell Lovett, was a friend and former colleague of Woodrow Wilson. When Wilson won reelection in 1916, members of the Rice community celebrated. The support for Wilson was overwhelming, so much so that a November 1916 article in the Thresher said that the Saturday after his reelection was declared a holiday.

"Every man in Rice Institute is a Democrat - that is, if their beliefs are judged from the unanimity of … Woodrow Wilson Day, Saturday following the election," the article read.

Moving forward a few decades, Rice students and faculty continued to lean toward a particular candidate. In a Nov. 4, 1960 article in the Thresher, a 'pre-election presidential primary' poll revealed a majority of students supported Richard Nixon over John F. Kennedy for the presidency.

"Nixon received an even two-thirds of the ballots cast, winning 270-135," the article reported.

In the late 1960s, with the Vietnam War at its peak and a looming presidential election, the Rice community had shared their opinions. In a May 1968 op-ed in the Thresher, the Citizens for McCarthy Houston Chairman J.-Cl. DeBremaecker said that he wanted to thank the Rice community for their work in furthering Senator Eugene McCarthy's mission. McCarthy was opposed to the Vietnam War and worked on advocating against the war within the Democratic party.

"I want to thank all the students and faculty members who worked for Senator McCarthy, and for bringing true liberalism to Texas," DeBremaecker wrote.

The Rice community's involvement did not just stop with supporting particular candidates but also included broader issues, such as the U.S. involvement in the Vietnam War. A May 1968 Thresher poll found that a majority of respondents were opposed to the Vietnam War.

"About 71% of the respondents indicated they were opposed to the war, and over 62% said they had become more dovish in their opinion of the war in the past year," the article reported.

Students also banded together through student organizing and political clubs, like the Young Democrats. In a January 1970 edition of the Thresher, there was an advertisement for voter registration through a drive organized by the Young Democrats, showing the involvement of these political groups on campus.

In recent times

A November 2018 article in the Thresher showed a steady increase in the number of votes cast by Rice students in the 2010s. In 2014, 336 votes were cast by Rice students, while in 2016 and 2018 it rose to 1,027 and then 1,298, respectively.

Although the number of votes increased throughout the 2010s, some Rice students believed participating in electoral politics was not the most effective way to see the changes they wanted. In the same November 2018 edition, two students, Bilal Rehman '20 and Sunee Quirante '20, wrote in an op-ed that grassroots movements are a more effective form of activism.

"Ultimately, direct engagement through grassroots community organizations … is the most straightforward way to pursue the political ideals that Rice students find important. Activism has never begun or ended with electoral politics - similarly, our own activism must not be limited to electoral involvement," Rehman and Quirante wrote.

This grassroots activism they spoke about was at play during COVID-era polling. In February 2020, there was no on-campus polling station for primary elections, so a student organization took civic engagement into its own hands.

A February 2020 article in the Thresher wrote that Civic Duty Rice helped students in getting to polling locations off campus.

"Civic Duty Rice, a non-partisan civic engagement club … worked with the administration to organize shuttles to take students to nearby polling locations … for early voting and on election day," the article said.

In the past, some students went so far as to say voting is the most important tool they have to express their opinions. As shown in a September 2020 article in the Thresher, a student, Lila Greiner, said she believed voting is crucial in America.

"The voice of the people can be the most powerful tool in a democracy if used correctly," Greiner said.

However, Saturday's 24-10 win over Navy was no ordinary game.

Kickoff was delayed more than two hours due to inclement weather, and even after the game began, the Owls and Midshipmen endured an additional two delays before finishing Saturday's conference matchup without any further interruptions. By the time the game - initially scheduled for 3 p.m. - resumed at 8:26 p.m., the three delays totaled five hours and six minutes. During that span, only five minutes and 24 seconds came off the game clock.

For the most part, Saturday's delays were caused by nearby lightning. NCAA policy mandates that players clear the field for 30 minutes after the last lightning strike; the 30-minute timer resets with every strike inside an eight-mile radius, and a little extra time gets added on to allow for players to warm up once conditions become playable again.

During the storms, Rice took shelter in their locker room inside the Brian Patterson Sports Performance Center. Players were also seen walking in circles around the Patterson Center's weight room - in full uniform and gear - to stay warm during the lengthy pauses in play.

When play resumed, Rice found itself five yards from the end zone, largely thanks to a pair of long catches that graduate wide receiver Matt Sykes had made prior to the third delay. On the Owls' first play back from the locker room, Warner handed the ball to senior running back Dean Connors for a short touchdown run. The Owls capitalized on their next drive, too, as Sykes withstood contact from a defender to make a physical touchdown catch late in the first quarter.

"Matt is such a reliable guy," Warner said of Sykes, who caught eight of 10 targets for 93 yards in the win. "I always know I can trust him on the back side, against one-on-one; you know he's going to make a play."

The Owls added three more points on redshirt senior kicker Tim Horn's 47-yard field goal, his longest made kick in over a year. Navy answered with its first points of the game on a nine-yard touchdown run. Rice took a 17-7 lead into halftime.

Each team added one more touchdown in the second half. Rice's points came from Connors, who rushed nine yards for the score. He finished Saturday's game with 105 rushing yards, 34 receiving yards and two touchdowns.

"Any time I give the ball to him and watch him run, it's fun," Warner said.

Warner, who missed the Oct. 26 game at the University of Connecticut due to injury, didn't know he'd be healthy enough to play against Navy until Thursday night. He managed to suit up on Saturday and completed 70 percent of his passes for 239 yards, one touchdown and one interception.

Rice's 24-10 victory brought the team to 3-6 (2-3 in AAC) this season. The outcome dropped Navy to 6-2 and handed them their first conference loss of the year. The Midshipmen's only other loss this season came to No. 10 Notre Dame.

Rice held Navy to new season-low marks in rushing yards, total yards and total points. The Midshipmen's low offensive output is a testament to Rice's strong defensive showing, headlined by senior safety Gabriel Taylor's six tackles and one interception. Taylor noted that this week's preparation felt different.

"The energy [and] the vibes went up and we just clicked," Taylor said. "Everybody was disciplined."

Other defensive leaders included redshirt junior linebacker Andrew Awe (who led the team with seven tackles), redshirt sophomore safety Tyson Flowers (one interception) and redshirt junior defensive end Michael Daley (one sack and one forced fumble). Flowers' 88.1 Pro Football Focus coverage grade ranked 18th-best among 1,594 eligible FBS defenders in Week 10.

Rice posted an 81.8 PFF grade in the win, setting their new season-high for a game against an FBS opponent. They also earned season-best grades in pass blocking, defense, run defense and coverage.

The offensive line showed significant improvements Saturday as redshirt junior tackle Ethan Onianwa and graduate tackle Chad Lindberg both provided key protection for Warner and Connors. Onianwa's 88.6 pass-blocking grade from PFF ranked 11th among 1,052 FBS linemen. Lindberg ranked 21st with his pass-blocking grade of 87.0.

Overshadowed by the upset victory and lengthy delays was Alamar's NCAA head coaching debut. He was promoted to interim head coach Oct. 27 after Rice fired Mike Bloomgren during his seventh season with the program. Alamar didn't expect his first game as head coach to be delayed five-plus hours by weather, but he said he didn't mind waiting a little longer for the victory.

"I couldn't even tell you how long [this game] took, but I think if you ask every one of those guys, 'Was every minute of it worth it?' everybody would tell you, 'Heck yeah,'" Alamar said, his outfit soaked by the rain and postgame Powerade shower.

Alamar also said that energy levels were high in the locker room postgame, in no small part thanks to the 64-year-old coach showing off his dance moves.

"That's probably worth the price of admission there," Alamar said of his dancing.

A Rice team that appeared defeated and destined for the bottom of the AAC just one week ago has found new life after one of the conference's biggest upset victories this season. The Owls can still qualify for a bowl game, but the path won't be easy.

To remain bowl eligible, Rice needs to win each of its remaining three contests, starting with Friday's game against the seven-win University of Memphis Tigers.

Friday's game in Memphis will be broadcast nationally on ESPN2. Rice opens as 9.5-point underdogs, according to DraftKings.

2:16 p.m. - The first delay

While the game was not set to begin until 3 p.m., an announcement from Rice Football on X, formerly known as Twitter, said that pregame warmups were delayed due to inclement weather.

2:20 p.m. - Arrival

After a long wait for the elevator, I made my way up to the Rice Stadium press box, grabbed a complimentary lunch and Diet Coke, found my seat in the front row above the 40-yard line and opened up a blank Google Doc.

2:22 p.m. - The first rain

Seemingly out of nowhere, the clouds dropped heavy rain on Rice Stadium, soaking its occupants and the fans still tailgating in the parking lots.

3:00 p.m. - Radio silence

The original kickoff time came and went. We were officially in a weather delay, but there was no update on when the game might begin.

3:15 p.m. - Rice breaks the silence

An X post from Rice Football confirmed that there was still a weather delay but didn't provide an estimated start time. Fans started to get restless in the concourse and parking lot.

3:20 - Tell us how you really feel

X user @PhotoThoughts1 tagged the official Thresher Sports account, writing, "PLAY THE FUCKING GAME!!!" I was flattered they thought we had the authority to decide when the game started.

3:33 p.m. - Why not us?

Across town, the University of Houston's game against Kansas State University kicked off following a one-hour delay. However, there was no sign of action on the field at Rice Stadium.

4:05 p.m. - Where'd that come from?

The sky quickly darkened, winds picked up and rain started falling sideways. More thunder and lightning approached Rice Stadium. When lightning strikes inside an eight-mile radius, teams have to wait at least 30 minutes before taking the field.

4:45 p.m. - Updates, at last

Officials announced that Navy versus Rice would kick off at 5:30 p.m., barring any unforeseen changes in the weather pattern.

4:46 p.m. - We have movement

Two Navy staffers jogged out from the Midshipmen's locker room. Shortly after, more staff emerged on both sidelines.

5:00 p.m. - Warmups begin

Players left both locker rooms in full force. I spotted junior quarterback E.J. Warner, whose warmup suggested he would return to the starting role after missing the Oct. 26 game at the University of Connecticut.

5:30 p.m. - We have liftoff

The opening kickoff was finally in the air, two and a half hours later. Rice started with the ball.

5:33 p.m. - Payday?

In an X post, @og_bng tagged me and wrote, "Shoutout to you for being basically the only person with updates for the majority of that delay. Get this man a raise." I liked the sound of that.

5:39 p.m. - You're kidding me

Officials hurried to both sidelines, informing the head coaches that there was lightning within an eight-mile radius. The game was yet again delayed, and both teams were ordered to their locker rooms.

5:59 p.m. - The sports bettors love me

In a post on X, @Yinzerzz replied to me, "I bet on this game so I'm waiting for it to start. Props to you. You're the only information I can find about the delay. Please continue to keep updating everyone." Should I be concerned that my top followers are non-Rice fans with gambling obsessions?

6:09 p.m. - Time to update the LinkedIn

In an X post, I joked that my new title at the Thresher should be "Official Football Meteorologist," poking fun at my barrage of weather-related posts over the past four hours. It seemed humorous at the time, but upon reflection, I think I was just starting to go insane.

6:18 p.m. - Let's try this again

A press box announcement revealed that the game would resume at 6:38 p.m. Both teams were given 20 minutes to warm up.

6:38 p.m. - We're so back

The game resumed. On the first play from scrimmage, Navy's quarterback was intercepted by redshirt sophomore safety Tyson Flowers.

6:47 p.m. - You're kidding me (again)

Rice's offense marched to Navy's five-yard line. The Midshipmen called timeout, and I noticed an official run out to the referees on the field. He had a weather report, and it was not a favorable one. The referees relayed the bad news to both sidelines: another weather delay. Everyone returned to their locker rooms.

6:55 p.m. - Someone take my phone, please

You can tell I'm getting restless when I start cracking jokes on X. In a post on my feed, I wrote, "That 2:30 a.m. Pete Alamar press conference gonna hit different." What was I doing?

7:00 p.m. - Can we please get Dean Connors a sandwich?

Interim head coach Pete Alamar's support staff swarmed the Rice Stadium Chick-fil-A stand, buying the rest of their chicken sandwiches. The players had not eaten a full meal in eight hours and were getting hungry.

7:12 p.m. - Leaning Tower of Pizza

Rice Rally Club somehow managed to build a tower with around 80 pizza boxes. X user @Lou_Raneri3 asked me how they reached so high, to which I had no answer.

7:25 p.m. - This is it, the apocalypse

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw a dystopian scene unfolding in the weight room of the Brian Patterson Center. Dozens of Rice players were walking around in circles - still in full uniform and gear - trying to stay warm during the lengthy delay.

8:03 p.m. - Glorious news

A Navy staffer jogged out to their sideline. Seconds later, an announcement in the press box revealed that the first quarter would resume at 8:25 p.m.

8:10 p.m. - Change the channel

Another football game kicked off on ESPN2, so Navy-Rice moved to ESPNEWS. Fortunately, the Turf Wars Co-ed Kickball Championship on ESPNEWS ended, so Navy-Rice got the channel all to itself.

8:14 p.m. - Country music heals all wounds

Kenny Chesney's "When the Sun Goes Down" played over the speakers at Rice Stadium. Instantly, my restlessness dissipates and I feel relaxed. Thanks, Kenny.

8:24 p.m. - Third time's a charm

The game resumed. On the very next play from scrimmage, senior running back Dean Connors scored a five-yard touchdown.

9:12 p.m. - Navy doesn't care about your parlay

On X, the official @NavyAthletics account posted, "Just so we are clear, we do not care who you bet on or who is involved in your parlays. That's an instant block. WE DO NOT CARE." The post earned roughly one million views.

11:17 p.m. - That's a Rice dub

The clock finally hit triple zeroes. Rice won, 24-10, and the small contingency of fans still in attendance went wild. Interim head coach Pete Alamar got a bucket of Powerade dumped on him after securing his first career victory.

11:29 p.m. - Admin is cooking

Whoever runs the Rice Football page on X was pretty excited. They fired off a series of memes celebrating the Owls' upset victory over Navy, who had not previously lost an AAC game this year.

11:30 p.m. - Time to party on South Main

Alamar led a postgame speech in the locker room. The players formed a circle around him and he started dancing. You can't make this stuff up."That's probably worth the price of admission there," he joked.

11:45 p.m. - The Owls speak

Alamar arrived at the podium for his postgame press conference, followed by Warner and senior safety Gabriel Taylor. They talked about an impressive week of preparation, waiting out the rain delays and celebrating the victory with tremendous energy.

12:08 a.m. - Bedtime?

After almost 10 hours at Rice Stadium, the day was over. I returned to my car and exhaled, as I saw that I did remember to roll up my windows. A relieving ending to a wild afternoon (and evening and early morning) covering Rice football.

One of the key additions according to Bevan is freshman Oliwia Kopeć, whose journey and quick progress have sparked new energy in the Owls' lineup. A native of Poland, Kopeć came to Rice as a middle-distance runner, primarily experienced in the 1,500 meters.

In Poland, she trained with a local club rather than a school team, often practicing alone and competing in shorter track events. Transitioning to collegiate cross country, with its extended distances, larger fields and intense competition, brought fresh challenges, she said.

"I was used to pushing myself, but running with a team here has been a completely different and rewarding experience," Kopeć said. "My teammates have become a huge source of support."

Kopeć's journey to Rice began over a year ago when she was looking for U.S. universities with high academic standards and strong athletics. After discussions with Bevan and a campus visit, she said she felt an immediate connection.

"From our first call, Coach Bevan was interested, and when I visited Rice, it just felt right," she said. "The campus, the people, the program - it was everything I was looking for."

At the recent conference meet, Kopeć finished third overall, crossing the line with a time of 20:55.3. In only her fifth cross country race for Rice, she achieved the best finish by a Rice freshman since Bevan began coaching.

"I really didn't know what to expect," Kopeć said. "Coach told me to stay calm, keep my pace and stick with the pack. As we hit the 5K mark, I realized I had more left, so I went for it."

Bevan said her growth and adaptability this season has been remarkable.

"Oliwia has been learning with every race," Bevan said. "She's up against athletes with years of experience, but she's overcome the challenge each time."

Returning athletes have also shown progress. Sophomore Alex Gobran moved up from 30th last year to 13th, earning All-Conference honors with a time of 21:26.9.

"Alex came back this season determined to make an impact, and she's done exactly that," Bevan said. "Her All-Conference finish is well-deserved, and it speaks to the work she's put in."

Another freshman, Daphne Mayer, contributed to the team's success, finishing 15th at her first conference meet and earning All-Conference honors with a time of 21:31.9. Senior Heidi Nielson delivered her best performance of the season, finishing in 17th place.

"This year, we've had the right balance of youth and experience," Bevan said. "That mix has been essential to our success."

As Rice prepares for the upcoming South Central Regional meet Nov. 15 in College Station, Texas. Bevan is focused on maintaining the team's momentum.

"We've seen what's possible this year," Bevan said. "And I believe we're only beginning to tap into our potential."

"We came into the meet expecting to be in the mix for a top four finish," men's cross country head coach Jon Warren said. "On a good day, we felt confident about hitting that mark, but cross country can be unpredictable, and unfortunately, our two strongest runners faced unexpected issues that threw us off course."

The team's top runner, junior Gus Gannon, was unable to finish the race due to medical reasons, and sophomore Brandon Martz, typically also a consistent scorer, was hindered by medical issues that affected his usual performance.

"If you had asked me which two runners I'd least want to have an off day, it would've been Gus and Brandon," Warren said. "They're the backbone of our lineup. Their struggles were like running with one arm tied behind our back."

In their absence, junior Ben Tijerina delivered a standout performance, crossing the line in 22nd place with a time of 25:02.

"Ben really rose to the occasion," Warren said. "That was the best race he's run at Rice. He didn't let the day's setbacks get to him - he showed a lot of maturity and grit out there."

Tijerina said his control in the first 2K was the key to his success.

"[The runners] went out really fast, unusually fast," Tijerina said. "I let that front pack pull away while I kept my pace steady."

Tijerina said that the dry air was an additional challenge.

"The air was unusually dry, which made it difficult to breathe," Tijerina said. "But the hardest part was mentally staying strong when everyone started to pull away. There's always that uncertainty about catching them again."

Despite the team's challenges, Warren said he was optimistic as they look ahead to the NCAA South Central Regional meet Nov. 15 at Texas A&M University in College Station, Texas.

"This season has shown me the strength of their character and their commitment to each other," Warren said. "They've built a strong foundation, and I know they're ready to bounce back."

Executive producer Auggie Schwarz wanted to reestablish the tradition of Lovett College performances by choosing to perform "Into the Woods", a choice Schwarz acknowledged was both incredibly ambitious and exciting.

"I had the utmost faith in the Rice Theatre community to be able to [perform] and bring [Into the Woods] to Rice," Schwarz, a Lovett junior, said.

"Into the Woods" features a wide variety of characters and stories, including Cinderella, Jack and the Beanstalk and Little Red Riding Hood. Jeffrey Youngson, who plays the role of the narrator, is excited for the audience to see the "electric" dynamics of the characters onstage, he said.

"The way [the characters] interact with each other on stage is so funny and so fluid," Youngson, a Brown College junior, said.

"Into the Woods" explores the stories and adventures of multiple families, offering a unique twist on the classic fairytale. According to Nadia Thieriot, who plays Cinderella's mother, there is a "big shift" between the two acts.

"In Act One it seems like everyone's gotten what they wanted. They live happily after. But then there is a second act … it's kind of exploring what happens after the traditional fairytale ends," Thieriot, a McMurtry College junior, said. "[The show] gets dramatic, and it gets a bit darker, but it still ends a bit hopefully."

In addition to performing Thieriot is also the props designer for "Into the Woods". Thieriot said she aimed to incorporate visually appealing props that enhance the story, including white pigeons, "Milky White" the cow and the hen.

"The props leave a little less to the imagination," Thieriot said. "It's another part of the visual medium of the show, giving the audience a chance to see the things the characters actually have."

The crew who work behind the scenes play a crucial role in this production, including choreographers, costume designers and even the pit orchestra. According to Youngson, a lot of their work often goes unrecognized.

"There's a whole lot of work that just doesn't really get seen … set crew doing all of their pieces, the choreographers, the directing," Youngson said. "But [the behind-the-scenes crew] does pull the whole show together."

The show has comedic, dramatic and suspicious components. The audience connects to the show by feeling a wide variety of emotions, according to Youngson. The show is action-packed, and has a little bit of everything, he said.

"There are moments where it is really tender. There are moments where it is really sad. There are moments where there will not be a dry eye in the house, including my own," Youngson said.

In traditional night-market fashion, attendees gathered outdoors, walking from tent to tent to try different things. People stopped by shops like Caobao for egg cream baos and Saigon Arts Matcha for an ube drink or matcha ice cream.

Attendees could also buy craft items, like crochet animals from The T's Creation or candles from LH Candle Studio. Meanwhile, local business Adorned by Aysha offered henna designs.

Stephanie Todd-Wong, Vice President of Communications at Asia Society Texas, explained the Night Market's impact on both attendees and the AAPI-owned businesses it showcases.

"For this event, we welcome so many people to Asia Society for the very first time," Todd-Wong said."We uplift AAPI-owned businesses … and it's a really great way to introduce them to a whole new audience."

Inside the center, Asia Society's museum highlighted pieces from Asian artists. Attendees could stop to admire abstract space-inspired pieces by JooYoung Choi or Angela Chen's Hurricane Beryl-inspired cyanotype works.

People also got the chance to try out activities like kokeshi doll making, Japanese calligraphy and mahjong.

Mark Schneider, a coordinator at the Japanese Consulate, explained the significance of the kokeshi and calligraphy activities the consulate hosted.

"Kokeshi is a craft from the northern part of Japan, more specifically, the Miyagi area; it's where I was living in Japan when I first went so this is a handicraft I saw all the time," Schneider said. "As for the calligraphy, it's a little bit more aged up and gives people the chance to try learning Japanese and see what it's like to write the characters … that's how I first got interested."

The market also provided attendees the opportunity to learn more about Hanfu - traditional Chinese clothing. Founder Li further described the objectives of the Hanfu Houston Association, which include educating people on the vast diversity of traditional Chinese garments.

"If you think about Chinese traditional clothing, a lot of people think about Qipao, which is really two hundred years old, it's very young," Li said. "You have four or five thousand years of actual traditional clothing that no one ever talks about, so we dedicate ourselves to let people know there's this whole category of really amazing elegant clothing that's really Chinese traditional clothing."

Jenny Hu, a University of Houston student and Houston Hanfu Association treasurer, said she appreciated the exchange of cultures during the event.

"My favorite part was getting to meet people and see that they are interested in learning about our culture," Hu said.

After stopping by these activities, participants could then attend a performance featuring Bollywood group Rhythmic Rani, K-pop group Wonderbox and hip-hop team University of Houston Modern.

Samira Choudhury, a member of Rhythmic Rani, said she wanted to emphasize that dance is accessible to anyone through her performance.

"Performing at Asia Society was very important to me as a person of Asian heritage because it allowed me to bring into the public eye the beauty of Bollywood dance," said Choudhury. "What was special and important about the performance was showcasing dancers from different cultural as well as dance backgrounds. I wanted to send the message that anyone can dance to Bollywood music, and that kind of unity is so important and so powerful in this day and age."

According to Li, the importance of events like the Asia Society Night Market is heightened by the context of recent discrimination.

"I really appreciate the founding members of the Asia Society, especially nowadays with the social, political environment and with Asian hate [during Covid-19]," Li said. "I think there's a pretty serious issue that we're facing and having organizations like this is important."

Few films have defied my expectations quite like "A Different Man". I walked into the screening anticipating a straightforward thriller that dramatizes the lives and struggles of facially disabled individuals . While the film explores that theme, it also looked me dead in the eye, laughed in my face and left me laughing out loud more than I have in years.

Directed by Aaron Schimberg, "A Different Man" follows Edward, an aspiring actor with neurofibromatosis, a condition where tumors grow underneath the skin. As a new treatment offers him a chance to escape the isolation imposed by his condition, Edward realizes that overcoming his physical challenges creates a new psychological barrier to navigate.

Despite the potentially harrowing premise, this film is, at its core, a darkly comedic gem. Edward's tragic circumstances are infused with a cosmic humor that elevates his struggles, making them poignant and laugh-out-loud funny. It's dark, energetic and continually raises the stakes.

The film's success hinges on the career-defining performances of its two male leads. Sebastian Stan delivers astonishing range, showcasing depth and strength in what could be his standout role. His ability to convey emotion through prosthetics without sacrificing sincerity is remarkable. Meanwhile, Adam Pearson shines with a relentlessly positive performance, catalyzing the film's most absurd and entertaining threads. The two have an undeniable chemistry, with Pearson's open optimism serving as a perfect foil to Stan as he grapples with the consequences of his actions.

One of the film's most delightful surprises is its tight writing. It balances sharp, efficient dialogue with visceral moments, keeping the audience engaged. There is barely a dull moment, showcasing everything from harrowing despair to claustrophobic anxiety to relentless rage. The film also employs meticulous set design to establish a series of visual motifs that enrich the storytelling for attentive viewers. From the cramped, dimly lit spaces that mirror Edward's internal struggles to the vibrant, chaotic environments that reflect his fleeting moments of joy, each detail contributes to Schimberg's storytelling excellence. Also remarkable is the flawless prosthetics and makeup used for the film's first half, which are never distracting or inauthentic.

Moreover, the film's soundtrack complements its tone perfectly, oscillating between haunting melodies and the vibrant sounds of his surroundings that underscore the stark isolation of Edward's life. It enhances the emotional landscape, drawing viewers deeper into the narrative.

In a world where many films tend to shy away from complex subjects, A Different Man embraces them with audacity and humor. It challenges our perceptions of beauty, marginalization and self-acceptance while also looking at the parasitic nature of art and its subjects. This film has a lot to say on a breadth of issues and does so in an unapologetic and surreal tone.

Ultimately, "A Different Man" is a bold, innovative film that defies genre conventions. It leaves a lasting impression, reminding us that even our most glaring insecurities are better overcome than swept away. This film not only entertains but also provokes thought, making it a must-see for anyone willing to explore the complexities of identity with both seriousness and a demented sense of humor.

Key Track: "St. Chroma"

There are few artists that have had as eclectic of a transformation as Tyler, the Creator. Breaking into the game as a teenager in the irreverent rap collective Odd Future, Tyler Okonma has reinvented himself on pretty much every project he's released since then - and this newest project is no exception. "Chromakopia" throws the quirky and manic edge of "Cherry Bomb," the funky, psychedelic and soulful production of "Igor" and the introspection of "Flower Boy" into a blender to create a project that sees Okonma delve deeper into themes of family, queerness and identity than we've ever seen before.

Similar to Kendrick Lamar's 2022 project "Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers," the album investigates family trauma and how that has affected the artists today. Both albums feature a chorus of voices and a female narrator in their opening tracks. "St. Chroma," the opening song of Okonma's album, is introduced by his mother Bonita Smith, who says "You are the light/It's not on you, it's in you/Don't you ever in your motherfucking life dim your light for nobody."

Okonma was raised by a single mother, and he has long attributed his success to his mother's motivation. The lines "Can you feel that light inside/Can you feel that fire?" are repeated throughout the song by R&B star Daniel Caesar. The "light," the same "light" that his mom says to never "dim," likely refers to a uniqueness that is completely and totally Okonma's. With that interpretation, this opening song functions as a perfect introduction to the rest of the album, as Okonma peels back layers of himself, excavating his childhood and relationships and pulling off the metaphorical mask that graces the album's cover.

While this album is Okonma's most introspective since "Flower Boy," it's not warm and mellow like many of the tracks on that project were. This project is his most anxious and manic since "Cherry Bomb" and the album's next two tracks "Rah Tah Tah" and "Noid" exemplify that. Okonma brings the noise on "Rah Tah Tah," an industrial and trap-influenced banger that might break the Richter scale at concerts. It's a brash, punchy track that seems almost chaotic, with heavy, distorted bass and frenetic drum patterns underscoring Okonma's verses. "Noid," like the title suggests, sees a paranoid Okonma unraveling over themes of distrust and pressure, layered over a jarring, dissonant beat that mirrors his internal turmoil. Here, Okonma's voice is almost claustrophobic, switching rapidly between more restrained and incredibly frantic flows, as if he's on the brink of something, exposing a restlessness that feels raw.

"Darling, I" sees Okonma dive back into the blend of R&B, soul and hip-hop prominent on both "Flower Boy" and "Igor." On this track, Okonma melodically ruminates on love and commitment, with Teezo Touchdown providing gentle backing vocals. The synth funk influences on the track are very reminiscent of the groovy production that backed Okonma's lyricism on "Igor". The next song "Hey Jane" furthers these themes of love and commitment, but is even more vulnerable. The song feels similar to Kendrick Lamar's "We Cry Together" off "Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers" in that it also features a conversation between a man and a woman. However, while Lamar raps the man's part and "Zola" actress Taylour Paige takes the woman's part on "We Cry Together," Okonma raps both perspectives on "Hey Jane." With lines that cut to the bone, "Hey Jane" feels like a moment where Okonma sheds the last of his armor, letting his guard down completely for a few soul-baring minutes.

The middle of the album features the project's biggest duds: "Judge Judy" and "Sticky." These songs, while not outright skips, lack the complexity and depth of the rest of the album. "Judge Judy" relies too heavily on its hook, feeling almost repetitive, while "Sticky" doesn't quite mesh with the project's overall mood, its playful beat feeling out of place among the more intense themes elsewhere on the album. They are bumps in an otherwise captivating journey, tracks that don't necessarily take away from the whole but don't add to it either.

The album, however, reaches new heights again with "Thought I Was Dead." This track is electric, pulsing with life and energy as Okonma explores the push and pull between fame and authenticity. It's an anthem for self-reclamation, as Okonma unapologetically claims space for himself, refusing to be pigeonholed or reduced. A couple songs later is "Like Him," a soulful, powerful track that draws on gospel influences, with choir-like backing vocals that make it feel almost reverent. Okonma uses this moment to reflect on the struggles of accepting his own identity, unapologetically celebrating both the beauty and the pain of self-acceptance.

"Chromakopia" may not be Okonma's most accessible album, but it's certainly one of his most honest. With each project, he continues to push boundaries, redefining what it means to be both an artist and a man who, in his mother's words, won't "dim [his] light for nobody."

Throughout October, the theatre screened new releases, including "Joker: Folie à Deux", alongside many cult and arthouse classics, including films like "Mulholland Drive" and "Fight Club." This new mixture of old favorites, modern arthouse and prestige studio releases is a breath of fresh air in the Houston cinema space, as few theatres near Rice consistently screen these types of films (the Museum of Fine Arts being a notable exception).

However, the River Oaks Theatre is not new, even if it may be to many Rice students. The theatre operated from 1939 to 2021 until it closed due to the pandemic. Shortly after the theatre closed, however, a nonprofit, Arthouse Houston - previously known as Friends of River Oaks Theatre - started working to save the historic space and reinstate it back in the Houston film community.

Maureen McNamara, co-founder and director of Arthouse Houston, said the original River Oaks was the core of Houston's art film community. After beginning her career overseeing the River Oaks for Landmark Theatres, McNamara returned to help save the theater, after recognizing the establishment's complex leasing situation.

"There had been a long-standing desire of the real estate company that owned the River Oaks Shopping Center to redevelop [the River Oaks Theatre]," McNamara said. "The landlord had been renewing leases for short periods of time, so it was very hard for the people operating the business to invest in renovations and repairs."

McNamara also said that, at this time, Weingarten Realty Investors were negotiating to raise the rent, further contributing to the initial closure of the business.

"That doesn't mean it wasn't healthy or thriving," McNamara said. "With the pandemic and the lease ending, it was easy just to use the opportunity to move on and get them to close the theatre."

During and after these negotiations, McNamara and other Houstonians recognized the problems and began to take action.

"It was really clear that the theater was at risk, there were people who worked at the theatre, preservationists, local filmmakers, neighbors that came together to say 'not on our watch'," McNamara said.

Because of this nonprofit effort, the Houston Mayor's Office determined that the space should remain a theatre, regardless of who the owner is, McNamara said. Eventually, Culinary Khancepts, a Houston-based company that operates a variety of restaurants, including Liberty Grill and the Star Cinema Grill, a chain of dine-in movie theaters in the greater Houston area, became interested in the space.

McNamara said that the Friends of River Oaks Theatre worked with the company after they signed the lease to the space in 2022.

"We wanted to make sure the idea of the theatre was never more than a beat away," McNamara siad.

Despite this newfound collaboration with Culinary Khancepts, however, the River Oaks Theatre is still committed to arthouse and cinema outside what you might find in the megaplex, according to artistic director Robert Saucedo.

"We always want to recognize that the River Oaks has historically been like a great place to see independent arthouse, so we were trying to keep on that and stay true to that," Saucedo said.

Saucedo also noted that the theatre's approach may be philosophically the same in terms of film programming, but noted some key differences in terms of what is being shown.

"We will definitely keep bringing in big studio films wherever it makes sense and where they fit in with the general kind of philosophy," Saucedo said. "We're not probably ever going to play something like the new Avengers movie, but we would play a superhero film if it was directed by an auteur filmmaker, like Christopher Nolan."

Since the reopening, the River Oaks has found success in terms of capturing a new audience.

"I think the biggest surprise I've had is just how young our repertory audiences are," Saucedo said. "The median age of the audience being probably 30 is great, because that's the kind of audience that it's important to nurture and support because they're going to continue to continue to support the theater in the years to come."

Going forward, Saucedo said he hopes to continue to engage audiences with the programming offered.

"Students at Rice who want to see a certain movie or want to see certain types of programming: reach out and let us know. We'll continue to tailor the programming at River Oaks to fit what people are interested in watching," Saucedo said.

McNamara said the cinema experience is completely unlike watching at home.

"I challenge anyone to watch the same movie on their [small] screen and then go see it at the River Oaks and have the same experience they had the first time," McNamara said. "When you're in the dark and completely surrounded, with a community of people or other people you're with, you have shared emotional peaks and valleys and wonder that you're experiencing together. It can be very magical."

Wrysinski's win has significant implications for Rice according to Joe Young, professor of electrical and computer engineering. Young said that Wrysinski's accomplishments will help to boost Rice's reputation and attract a diverse student body.

"Rice is an incredible school, but we are smaller … so I think it's all about getting the name out," Young said.

Young, who had previously taught Wrysinski, said that Wrysinski's participation in Circuit Showdown has increased recognition of Rice's unique engineering program.

"During our chat, I was so focused on how [Renee] is just such a distillation of the engineering spirit," Young said.

Wrysinski said she learned about Circuit Showdown through an advertisement in an electrical engineering mailing list.

"[I] was like, 'Oh, I'll throw my hat in the ring,'" Wrysinski said. "I didn't actually expect to be chosen for it."

Circuit Showdown producer Raymond Yin said the application process for contestants was competitive, with only three out of several dozen applicants chosen. Prospective candidates were asked to complete both a written application and an interview.

"My initial impression when interviewing all three of the contestants, as well as other ones during the Zoom interviews, was 'Holy cow, these kids are smart,'" Yin said. "They were all incredibly bright."

Circuit Showdown consisted of two rounds of competition; participants were challenged to design a themed project in under four hours for each round.

"The projects [the students] came up with were very interesting to me. They were given several categories which were completely broad and open-ended and in what they came up with, each one pulled some aspect of their personal life," Kirk Ulery, Circuit Showdown judge, said.

During the first round, themed "smart home," Wrysinski said she drew on her experience with poor air quality in her home in Colusa, California. She created a sensor to detect levels of carbon dioxide and other indoor pollutants, alerting users when ventilation is necessary.

"Going home for Christmas and other holidays, I would notice I get headaches way more often. And I figured out that it's just because we don't open windows at all," Wrysinski said.

In the months leading up to Circuit Showdown, Wrysinski said she tried her best to familiarize herself with the equipment used during the contest, but the impromptu nature of the competition caused many technical difficulties. During the final round, Wrysinski said her biggest test came when the code she had written for a GPS refused to operate.

"I was Googling error codes and nothing was coming up. I talked to the technical mentors, and they also didn't really know what was happening," Wrysinski said. "I figured it out with like 10 minutes left in the competition."

Wrysinski also said that filming, at least initially, was an additional source of pressure for her. Speaking and interviewing on camera during the competition forced Wrysinski to step out of her comfort zone.

"I have 'engineer' social skills," Wrysinski said. "It's not like I'm the most natural on camera or [it's] something that I have a lot of experience doing. I was very nervous."

However, as the competition progressed, Wrysinski said she grew more comfortable in her interactions - both on and off camera. Wrysinski said that she even began to develop a camaraderie with other contestants, as the students took lunch breaks and brainstormed project ideas together.

"I don't think any of us were taking the competition aspect of [Circuit Showdown] all that seriously. Even though there was a lot at stake, we were all just trying to do the best we could and help each other," Wrysinski said.

Ulery said organizers jumped at the chance to encourage the next generation of engineers.

"One of the things I try and do in my position is mentor young people. And to me, this seemed like a really good opportunity to get involved [in] the growth aspects that this brings for a college student," Ulery said.

Wrysinski said her struggles with migraines and epilepsy motivate her to produce technology improving quality of life for those with similar medical conditions.

"I want to work on [products] that people interact with … small things that improve people's everyday lives, even if they're not something that people really think about," Wrysinski said.

A sociologist of emotion, Hordge-Freeman said she works across national and linguistic boundaries to advance racial justice and research race, gender and class. Before her doctoral studies in sociology at Duke University, however, Hordge-Freeman began her undergraduate years at Cornell as a pre-medical student studying Spanish and biology.

"I felt like everybody was pre-med," Hordge-Freeman said. "And while [Spanish and biology] seem separate … I had imagined learning Spanish and eventually creating medical clinics across Latin America. That was my vision."

Hordge-Freeman said a transformative study abroad experience in Spain inspired her to stray from her plans in medicine, sparking curiosity about different cultures.

"[Spain] changed everything for me," Hordge-Freeman said. "I realized that where my passion really rested was in my curiosity about different cultures [and] histories and using my language skills to really bridge the gaps of … cultural understandings across [continents]."

In her final year, Hordge-Freeman said studying Brazil through her Latin American Studies concentration sparked a lasting interest in the country's history - a passion that continues to inform her research today.

"I learned that [Brazil] had transported the largest number of enslaved Africans to its shore, more than any other country - 10 times as many as the United States," Hordge-Freeman said. "When I learned about that history, I thought, 'Brazil seems fascinating.'"

Hordge-Freeman said her interest in exploring the legacy of Brazil's colonial slavery led to her 2022 book "Second-Class Daughters: Black Brazilian Women and Informal Adoption as Modern Slavery." The book compiles her research on the lives of filhas de criação, or raised daughters - women informally adopted into affluent families that live as unpaid domestic workers in conditions akin to slavery - conducted over 10 years primarily in the state of Bahia.

"I would travel back and forth to Brazil [and] maintain relationships with participants online through WhatsApp Messenger," Hordge-Freeman said. "I ended up meeting the participants … because I would see these women in the shadows of the families that I would meet in Brazil."

While working on "The Color of Love," Hordge-Freeman said her research trajectory changed after meeting a raised daughter for the first time.

"[I] was renting a room in a very nice condominium in Salvador, and I woke up at night for a glass of water," Hordge-Freeman said. "I walked by the teenage son's room, and I saw an elderly black woman sleeping … on the floor next to his bed with [a] sheet that barely covered her … and that was really the first interview that sparked my interest in understanding these relationships."

While the interviews with these women could last hours, they often required a degree of secrecy, Hordge-Freeman said.

"I would have to secretly meet with them so that their families did not know that they were talking to me," Hordge-Freeman said. "When we were able to get away … sometimes it would almost be as though they were having a cathartic experience where they just wanted to get everything out. So in one interview [that lasted for] 10 hours straight, I said, 'Okay, we have to stop … you need to eat. I need to eat.'"

While previous researchers understood that young Black, Indigenous and impoverished girls were taken into affluent families as unpaid domestic workers under the guise of adoption, Hordge-Freeman said that her book challenges the assumption that these young girls eventually ran away.

"[My research] highlights the lives of women who are 50, 60 and 70 years old who … [are] in these exploitative relationships for decades," Hordge-Freeman said. "The other insight is perhaps an unexpected one, and that's the role of emotions in domination and exploitation."

Central to Hordge-Freeman's research on raised daughters is her concept of "affective captivity," which describes how emotions can maintain power structures, she said.

"Even when these women are being abused … they don't leave for a number of reasons," Hordge-Freeman said. "They are often not allowed to go to school. They often don't have networks outside of the family. They are deprived of all of these important material resources. But in addition to that, they also feel a type of loyalty and a sense of gratitude towards the family … and so their desire to remain morally good by expressing gratitude is also a contributing factor."

Hordge-Freeman said that one of the most difficult parts of her research has been navigating what it means to be a Black woman in Brazil. While there, she is assumed to be a Black Brazilian woman and often faces the associated mistreatment, but she said that perceptions of her change dramatically once people discover she is American. Her encounter with police underscored this complexity, she said.

"[H]e's asking me all these questions - 'Where are you from? What are you doing here?' - and I'm responding in Portuguese," Hordge-Freeman said. "I hear [my friends] say, 'Elizabeth, speak in English,' and so I say to the officer, 'I'm Elizabeth … I'm here conducting research.'

"The officer has no idea what I'm saying, but [when] he realizes … I'm from the United States, [he] literally bows to me and says, 'My apologies. I want you to be able to go back to your country and tell them that we treated you with dignity and respect.' He only responded that way because he thought I was Black American, and the question is … what's the treatment for Black Brazilian women who don't have an American passport?"

In July 2024, Hordge-Freeman joined Rice's sociology department and Center for African and African American Studies as an associate professor. Previously, she spent 12 years at the University of South Florida in her hometown of Tampa. James Elliott, professor and Chair of Sociology, said the department was excited to welcome Hordge-Freeman.

"As a globally recognized, award-winning scholar working at the crossroads of comparative racial studies, family and social processes, she brings tremendous intellectual talent to campus," Elliott wrote in an email to the Thresher. "We felt like we won the lottery when Dr. Hordge-Freeman accepted our offer to come to Rice."

Hordge-Freeman will teach her first course at Rice, SOCI 318: Journey Towards Justice, in the Spring 2025 semester, modeled after a Maymester course she taught at the University of South Florida.

After taking Hordge-Freeman's Journey Towards Justice course in May 2024, Evita Garcia, a senior at the University of South Florida, said it allowed her to engage directly with racial equity, activism and historical injustices.

"[Dr. Hordge-Freeman's] dedication to fostering both intellectual growth and empathy has left a lasting impact on my approach to advocacy and leadership," Garcia wrote in an email to the Thresher. "I now serve as the advocacy chair for the Tampa Bay Latin Chamber of Commerce, where I work to advance the interests of underrepresented communities, and as a legislative intern, focusing on policy change with respect to social and environmental justice. Dr. Hordge-Freeman's teachings have become a foundation for my work in these roles."

During spring break, students in Hordge-Freeman's course will travel to Alabama to visit key sites of the civil rights movement. As Hordge-Freeman prepares to guide Rice students through a journey towards justice, she says she encourages undergraduates to forge their own paths.

"Have the courage to pursue the activities [and] interests that reflect your passion, regardless of what other people are thinking," Hordge-Freeman said. "If you follow who you are, you're going to be successful. That is success."

In March, McClelland fired the men's basketball coach, and a lackluster Scott Pera was replaced less than two weeks later by the fired Southern Methodist University's newly fired head coach Rob Lanier.

Bloomgren's firing came eight games into the football season, meaning the replacement will not be as quick as Pera's. While there is still plenty of time before McClelland has to replace Bloomgren, it's time for him to start thinking about Bloomgren's replacement, and for possible candidates to start thinking about what Rice has to offer.

Coaching football at Rice is not a regular Texas football job. This is not the University of Alabama, Louisiana State University or even the University of Houston. There are a few important things a coach should know before taking a job here.

First, Rice is currently struggling with attendance at football games. The stands are not full, nor is the student section and football does not have the same prominence at Rice as it does at most other D1 schools. The only thing our student section is known for is stacking pizza boxes, but even free pizza does not bring in enough students to fill the section. Any coach that comes to Rice either needs to accept that or have a plan to change it.

Even when there are no fans, Rice's Marching Owl Band is a consistent presence in the stands and during halftime. There is definitely a learning curve for any new coach or even new student when watching their first MOB show. Something to keep in mind is that they are dedicated to Rice football and enjoy making fun of the opponents.

Next, Rice football's Federal Graduation Rate was 88% for football players who matriculated in the 2016-17 academic year, which is four percentage points above the FBS average. Also, there is no general studies major at Rice like there is at other schools. There are future engineers, doctors and lawyers on the football team. A coach that understands the academic rigor of this school is important.

Bloomgren had a mantra of "Intellectual Brutality" and this mindset served Rice well. A new coach needs to bring their own academic mindset to the football team, as these players truly are student athletes.

Another point to note is that Rice is one of the few universities that has a residential college system. This system places students randomly into different colleges, where students live and participate in a fraternity-like community. This is important because this system and culture is something that a football coach also needs to buy into. Freshmen, no matter how close they are to the beginning of their season, are required to participate in Orientation Week at Rice. This week sets the students up academically and socially, as they participate in energetic activities designed to help them make a smooth transition to college alongside their peers.

All of this to say, the Rice football head coaching job is unique. There are challenges here that a coach will not have to face at other places, but the community is strong and maybe a leader who recognizes that and embraces it is just what Rice football needs to turn the program around and win a bowl game before everyone on this editorial board graduates.

According to James Hurley, the associate vice president of development and alumni relations, this year's event saw a 30% increase in attendance from 2023. There were over 2,000 guests in attendance, he said.

"Of particular importance this year was innovation and adding new opportunities for alumni to engage with Rice," Hurley wrote in an email to the Thresher. "This resulted in launching the first ever 'Alumni Run' at Alumni Weekend, where a number of alumni, the ARA Board President David Mansouri '07 and President DesRoches ran an outer loop of Rice."

According to April Cole, director of alumni relations, the event was successful despite rain delays for the homecoming football game.

"People came from all over, not just the country, but the world, and [I] heard multiple pieces of feedback, where people were making connections and having fun, seeing old friends and trying new things," Cole said. "I'm feeling really, really good about it, and it was definitely a success and a team effort for sure."

The President's Town Hall started off by presenting the 2024 Builders Award, which recognizes alumni who have made significant contributions to Rice since graduating, to recipients Tim Harrison '20 and Vivas Kumar '14.

President Reggie DesRoches spoke about the university's new 10-year strategic plan entitled "Momentous."

"We will have a lot of new programs and buildings but fundamentally the people will be what changes Rice," DesRoches said during the town hall. "We are just hiring exceptional talent. We just hired the number one material scientist in the world from Yale starting January 2025."

John Perkins '74 said he liked that the plan focused on the people of the Rice community.

"[DesRoches] emphasized the upbuilding of the people, the teachers, the students, especially the graduate students and providing the infrastructure to support them," Perkins said.

Michael Ross '70 said that he came from California to attend the alumni weekend so that he could reconnect with old friends.

"A lot of the times I don't remember which class my friends were in," Ross said. "They could've been a year or two earlier or later. I've met people just walking around that I knew who were from class of 69, 71 and 72. They weren't in my class and I would've missed them if I didn't come some years."

Gabriella Buba '16, who graduated from Rice with a degree in chemical engineering, was one of the eleven vendors present at the Alumni Weekend community market. She said coming back to sell her debut novel proves that any Rice student can pursue something creative.

"Everyone treats the engineers like we can't do anything creative," Buba said. "So I like to come back and be like, 'No, we're creative too. Look, we make things, right?'"

David Ronn '83 had a booth at the market for his cyber security business, Zecurity. He said he hopes that current Rice students take advantage of opportunities, especially those that seem outside their fields.

"Life's not a straight line. Did I figure out that I was going to be doing what I'm doing now? No way," Ronn said. "There are opportunities that come up, and it's important to be able to spot those opportunities and decide what's right for you. Use your Rice education, engage your brain and follow whatever path comes along."