Rice University: One Hundred Years in Pictures - Hardcover

Rogers, Karen Hess; Pecht, Lee; Bath, Alan Harris

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1603441050 ISBN 13: 9781603441056

Publisher: Texas A&M University Press, 2012

Synopsis

“From its founding, Rice University has been an institution devoted to making a strong impact on the world,” according to current president David Leebron. Nestled near Houston’s cultural heart, Rice University is characterized by seriousness of purpose as well as by such quirky traditions as the MOB (Marching Owl Band). In Rice University: One Hundred Years in Pictures, more than 300 photographs tell the story of a century of student life, a world-famous faculty, and news-making events.

Distinguished by its dignified architecture and stately grounds, respected for its intellectual depth and international reputation, and loved by its alumni for the community fostered by residential colleges, moderate size, and diverse campus organizations, Rice University celebrates its centennial in 2012. This collection of unique images, artfully supplemented by brief narrative, explanatory captions, and carefully chosen text sidebars, presents vignettes of significant episodes, characters, and events. A splendid commemoration of one hundred years of distinguished academics, groundbreaking research, and the spirited students and faculty who have made this institution unique among American universities, Rice University: One Hundred Years in Pictures pays fitting tribute to an eminent citadel of learning and the people who have made it great.

About this title

About the Author:

KAREN HESS ROGERS (Rice ‘68) founded the Rice Historical Society in 1995 and has directed and spearheaded the Society’s book publishing program as well as that of its quarterly newsletter, The Cornerstone. LEE PECHT is Rice University archivist and director of the Woodson Research Center for special collections at Fondren Library. ALAN HARRIS BATH holds a PhD in history from Rice University. He is the author of Tracking the Axis Enemy (1998) and is a former book review editor for Naval Intelligence Professionals Quarterly.

Review:

"This book takes the reader on a journal from Rice University's first steps at the turn of the twentieth century to its current standing as a world-renowned institution in the twenty-first century...This book would make a beautiful addition to coffee tables for current students, academics, and alumni but also for those interested in the development of Houston as a city."--Rachael L. Pasierowska, The Journal of Southern History

(Rachael L. Pasierowska The Journal of Southern History 2013-05-28)

"The cover portrait of Rice University landmark Lovett Hall beneath a rising full moon beckons the reader inside. And the abundant high quality photographs and illustrations within do not disappoint. The authors have captured all dimensions of Rice architecture, sports, academics and college life from the founding of the institution in 1912 until the present time...The balance between serious academic accomplishment and whimsical campus life is also well balanced...The production value of this work is of the first order...Texas A&M University Press spared no expensive in the quality of the photographs, paper and binding of this oversized edition...Rice University: One Hundred Years in Pictures is recommended to anyone with a general interest in higher education, Texas or the history of Houston."--Laurence J. Yadon, The Journal of South Texas
(Laurence J. Yadon The Journal of South Texas 2013-06-20)

"An excellent pictorial account... beautifully illustrated... The final product is organized by a color combination of Crayola yellow inserts used for photo illustrations and brief vignettes, and more traditional black and white text for the narrative. Though never clearly articulated, this ingenious feature guides the reader to differentiate between photo illustrations, documents and delimited narrative in yellow pages, and the broader contextual narrative and photographs that connect the "chapters" of the text...
This is a book that is meant to be seen and experienced. At a time when the public often prefers visual images to a narrative, this work illustrates modern notions of historical presentation. The reader will find material that is both interesting and internally sufficient. While typical modern historical accounts of institutions of higher education often struggle to illustrate a brief narrative, this unabashed pictorial account combines superb illustrations with a sparse, self-sufficient discussion of topics that will interest even those unfamiliar with Rice and its distinctive story.
Time spent with Rice is comparable to a museum or archives visit. In this "coffee table book" the casual observer can learn something interesting about Rice. The work will provoke and unexpected smile or maybe even a chuckle, but it will only whet a broader curiosity about the institution that has become one of Texas's academic treasures. This book is meant to be enjoyed. It is neither pretentious nor prejudiced... This book is a must-buy for Rice alumni and friends and an appropriate addition to Texas libraries." --Ronald C. Brown, Texas State University-San Marcos (Ronald C. Brown Southwestern Historical Quarterly)

About this edition

• Publisher: Texas A&M University Press
• Publication date: 2012
• ISBN 10: 1603441050
• ISBN 13: 9781603441056
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 216