Rice University’s Student Newspaper — Since 1916
Wednesday, September 10, 2025 — Houston, TX

Special Projects

FEATURES 2/27/24 10:36pm

Vivian Phillips ​​takes center stage

By Hongtao Hu

Vivian Phillips is polyphonic — whether writing a story, performing at the Riot Comedy Club or competing at the Miss Bayou City pageant, she knows just what to say. She first found her passion for English at Vassar College, a liberal arts college in upstate New York, before transferring to Rice her sophomore year.

FEATURES 2/27/24 10:33pm

Ruth Simmons stays true to herself

By Amelia Davis

Ruth Simmons’ career has taken her all across the country — from Houston’s Third Ward to Smith College in Massachusetts to Brown University where she became the first Black female president of an Ivy League School and back to Houston again. 

FEATURES 2/27/24 10:30pm

VADA explores Bay Area art

By Hongtao Hu

While many Rice students spent their midterm recesses studying, visiting family or lazing about, juniors majoring in Visual and Dramatic Arts  — now simply Art —  had an excursion to California’s Bay Area, exploring their prospective futures in the visual world.

FEATURES 2/27/24 10:29pm

Colleges go green recycling O-Week themes for 2024

By Kristal Hanson

Preparation for next year’s Orientation Week has already begun. Advisors have been selected and co-advisors have applied. Themes have been announced and, in one case, re-announced. Argue with your friends over which are fantastic and which shouldn’t have made it past the drawing board (or out of the recycling bin). 

OPINION 2/27/24 10:17pm

Beyond Fondy 24/7: advocating for fairness

By Anonymous

An editorial “24/7 Fondy presents more cons than pros” published Jan. 16 raised valid concerns about the potential drawbacks of Fondren Library operating 24/7. However, this argument barely scratches the surface, overlooking a critical aspect — the well-being of the dedicated staff who operate the library. 

NEWS 2/27/24 10:11pm

New environmental engineering B.S. introduced beginning 2024

By James Cancelarich

A new environmental engineering bachelor of science degree is set to begin in Fall 2024, according to an email sent out to civil engineering students. Currently, environmental engineering is included under the civil engineering program, but the launch of the new program will formally separate the two programs into different degrees.

NEWS 2/27/24 10:08pm

BCycle reopens on campus after hiatus

By Kenzie Langhorne

Rentable bike share stations reopened across campus the week of Feb. 12 after a temporary suspension in December 2022. The stations were reopened through a partnership between Rice’s Campus Services and Sustainability division and Houston Bike Share. 

NEWS 2/23/24 9:04pm

SA presidential debate centers around budget

By James Cancelarich

Student Association presidential candidates Jae Kim and Trevor Tobey discussed their vision for the presidency and the SA at the Thresher’s SA debate on Monday, Feb. 19. Candidates for secretary and treasurer, the other contested elections, also took the stage during the night.

A&E 2/23/24 9:03pm

Soul Night combines resilience and creativity to celebrate Black community

By Juliana Lightsey

A one-night-only cultural showcase, Soul Night reflects the artistry and creative lexicon of Rice’s Black Student Association. This year’s showcase is award show-themed, combining music, dance, spoken word and fashion in the form of a narrative musical. The show takes place at 6 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 24 in Hamman Hall. Tickets are $10 and include a pre-show dinner at 5 p.m.

NEWS 2/20/24 10:26pm

Condoleezza Rice visits Rice University

By Krishna Chalise

Condoleezza Rice, a former United States secretary of state and national security advisor under President George W. Bush, came to Rice to speak with David Satterfield, the director of the Baker Institute, as a part of the Shell Distinguished Lecture Series Feb. 15. 

SPORTS 2/20/24 10:26pm

Tennis roots propel Grear into final Rice season

By Kathleen Ortiz

Alyss Allen Grear wasn’t yet pregnant with her sons when she made a silent wish for twins. It was the late 1990s, and Grear was watching Serena and Venus Williams play tennis on her television. She had never played tennis in her life, but watching the Williams sisters, she decided that one day she wanted her kids to play the sport. 

NEWS 2/20/24 10:25pm

Community members protest Condoleezza Rice event at Baker Institute

By Belinda Zhu

Students and community members gathered in the Central Quad Feb. 15 to protest Condoleezza Rice, former secretary of state and national security advisor to George W. Bush, coming to campus, demanding that the university “divest from death.” A Houston Police Department officer at the protest estimated nearly 100 protesters were in attendance throughout. 

Editor's Picks

Most Popular

The Rice Thresher