Staying True

It’s spring break — the campus is quiet, the tree canopy is leafing out with bright green growth, and we’ve sadly said goodbye to this year’s showy display of pink and white azaleas. But we’re anticipating the pomp and circumstance of commencement and the end of another academic year.

In this issue, we continue to mark a time of renewal and rebuilding at Rice — both in our collective traditions and physical surroundings. It’s part of a year of welcoming the return of beloved traditions and the arrival of new ideas and change that are the hallmarks of a vibrant campus community.

The stories in our spring issue by and large reflect these themes — but in the Riceiest ways possible. We are delighted to deliver a cover feature that celebrates resilient and beloved KTRU Rice Radio. In this story, writer Joe Nick Patoski dives into KTRU’s one-of-a-kind archive of student-written record reviews, while also taking stock of the entertaining, diverse and musically challenging programming that runs 24/7. The scrawled reviews are time stamps of musical tastes and trends — comically profane, frequently insightful and deftly penned. We thank Katharine Shilcutt, director of student media and a station DJ herself, for bringing this treasure to our attention.

It’s part of a year of welcoming the return of beloved traditions and the arrival of new ideas and change that are the hallmarks of a vibrant campus community.

In every issue, we bring readers stories about the achievements of our individual graduates, and we’ll continue to do so. But we are over the moon to share a beautiful story of friendship among a group of accomplished Black women who attended Rice in the mid-1990s. Writer and alumna Jenny West Rozelle ’00 traces the group’s origin story, shared memories, achievements and faithful bonds “through thick and thin, victory and obstacle.” We are grateful to Chaundra Frank ’00 for reaching out and sharing this idea for a story with us. We hope this story generates more tales of enduring Owl friendships.     

Between these features — and a fascinating Q&A with physician Vuong “Von” Nguyen ’97 on his work to develop machine learning and AI-driven methods to address health care and climate change issues around the world — we’ve loaded up the issue with tales of student achievements, Hanszen’s new (new) wing and essential staff. In research news, we’ve got stories on mushrooms and meteorites and an explainer on why gas stoves have become such a heated topic. The stories in our alumni department will make you think — and some will make you laugh.

We'd like to hear from you. Please send your feedback to us at ricemagazine@rice.edu.