Special Projects

Show you grow: Houston’s best plant stores

Midterms got you seeing red? Go for green instead at these local plant stores.

Will Rice will plant

When wandering through campus, it’s hard not to be captivated by the verdant stretches of lush green grass, the tapestry of trees and even the occasional mushroom sprouting in unexpected corners. But amidst this panorama, there is an absence of vibrant flowers. 

Two Rice bioengineering professors win NIH Director’s New Innovator awards

Jerzy Szablowski and Julea Vlassakis won the National Institutes of Health Director’s New Innovator awards for their individual research projects. The award, announced Oct. 3, recognizes early-stage investigators who demonstrate relevant, creative and influential project proposals that align with the NIH mission.

Task Force on Slavery, Segregation and Racial Injustice releases final report

The Rice Task Force on Slavery, Segregation and Racial Injustice released its final report and recommendations for the university after four years. Originally commissioned in 2019 by then-President David Leebron, the task force has conducted historical research, hosted webinars and updated the Rice community on its endeavors.

Kesem hosts first 5k

Camp Kesem will hold Move 4 Magic, a 5k marking the start of a three-day fundraising campaign, on Oct. 21 at 9 a.m. This event will be the first race hosted by a campus organization, according to Kesem development coordinator Zoe Wang. 

Louis Brus ‘65 wins Nobel Prize in Chemistry

Rice alumnus Louis E. Brus ’65 was awarded the 2023 Nobel Prize in Chemistry on Oct. 4. Brus, a professor emeritus at Columbia University, shared the distinction with Moungi Bawendi, the Lester Wolfe Professor of Chemistry at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and Alexei Ekimov of Nanocrystals Technology Inc. for research on quantum dots, which are semiconductor particles so small their size determines their properties.

HACER turns to members to rebrand with name change

The Hispanic Association for Cultural Enrichment  is changing its name to better reflect the diversity of the Rice community, according to club Co-President Valeria Aguirre. HACER will invite students to suggest a name, with a $50 cash prize for the contest winner. 

Chabad at Rice, Houston Hillel host ‘Vigil for Israel’

Ray’s Courtyard saw nearly 200 students, staff and administrators convene Oct. 11 for an evening event titled “Vigil for Israel.” Rice President Reggie DesRoches, Provost Amy Dittmar and Dean of Undergraduates Bridget Gorman were all present at the vigil held by Chabad at Rice and Houston Hillel, two Jewish groups affiliated with Rice.

‘All out for Palestine’ protest sees 2,000 at Houston City Hall

Rice Students for Justice in Palestine, the Palestinian Youth Movement and other groups led a protest in support of Palestine at Houston City Hall Oct. 14. More than 2,000 demonstrators attended, according to the Houston Police Department.

Rice Votes hosts candidates at Houston Mayoral Forum

Rice Votes and the Greater Houston Pachyderm Club jointly hosted the non-partisan Houston Mayoral Forum at the McMurtry Auditorium Oct. 14. The talk was moderated by Mark Jones, a political science fellow at the Baker Institute and professor in the department of political science. 

Satterfield appointed special envoy for Middle East humanitarian issues

President Joseph Biden appointed David Satterfield, the director of the Baker Institute for Public Policy, as the special envoy for Middle East humanitarian issues Oct. 15. Satterfield said he will continue to serve as the Baker Institute’s director through his “temporary mission” as special envoy. According to the U.S. Department of State, Satterfield will “lead U.S. diplomacy to urgently address the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.” Satterfield will arrive in the Middle East shortly, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said.

Don’t miss these ACL eats

Aside from an impressive slate of artists to see over the next two weekends, you can’t miss the food at Austin City Limits. From sweet treats to savory eats, there’s sure to be something for every friend you’re going with. Here are some ACL dining options you won’t want to miss. 

william cordova explores infinite possibilities at Brochstein

An array of small, colorful squares — each a starkly different shade from its adjacent counterparts — cover Brochstein Pavilion’s south-facing wall. william cordova created this public art installation, titled “2800 dowling-wasi-sangarara,” as the newest piece in Rice’s ongoing art series, “Off the Wall.”

University Court rules Student Association constitutional amendment unconstitutional

University Court made a unanimous ruling in a preliminary investigative hearing Saturday, Sept. 30, stating that the Student Association violated its constitution during its constitutional amendment ratification on April 23. 

Thresher Declassified: ACL survival guide 2023

Wake up, babe, the newest edition of the Thresher Declassified: ACL Survival Guide just dropped. In what’s becoming a yearly tradition, the Thresher is here to give you the low-down on all things Austin City Limits in case you don’t feel like getting your information on the festival’s website. We just know you’d be lost without us, so here’s all you need to know to survive this year’s ACL. 

10-04-2023 Crossword Solutions

10-04-2023 Crossword: "meh."

Life Hacks for the Economical Owl

10-04-2023 "Owl-American"

Volleyball continues to truck through the AAC

Going into last Friday’s match against the University of Texas at San Antonio, Rice Volleyball had won 15 of their last 19 sets. At the end of their victorious home stand against the Roadrunners, the Owls had improved that to 21 sets out of 25, extending their win streak to seven games and preserving their undefeated status in conference play.