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School of Continuing Studies Renamed for Susanne M. Glasscock
Letters I enjoyed reading about the beginnings of the art department at Rice during the time I was a student. I have good memories of Katherine Tsanoff Brown (and her sons Steve and Hugh), James Chillman’s history of art courses, art classes underneath the old stadium with David Parsons, and learning printmaking from Earl Staley. John O’Neil writes that Staley wished to teach painting, not printmaking. Nevertheless, I enjoyed learning printmaking and benefited from his personal generosity. Another artist who influenced us during this time was Charles Schorre. I don’t believe he was mentioned by O’Neil because he was hired by the architecture department, not the art department. Guy Rollins ’70
Wimberley, Texas
There are times when the clearest of vision pierces the fog of deception. Several months ago, I was nonplussed when a Rice student explained to me that the 1881 emblazoned on his cap was the year in which the Rice Institute opened its halls of learning. Nay, nay, I protested. The year was 1912. What may have disappointed me even more so was the fact that the young student did not challenge my contradiction; his curiosity was at the nadir of measurement. “Well, that’s what the cap says” was his defense. Doubt is the first sign of learning. Are we leading the young to question? Subsequent telephone calls to Rice revealed to me that 1881 was the year in which the notion, the concept of building a university in the then-burgeoning Houston was born in the mind of a single party or a party of several in the state of New Jersey. Between a mere concept and the first breaking of ground with a shovel is a great distance. I resent deeply any contortion of the facts: Rice Institute opened its doors in 1912, and I am pleased to see that year in print on page 52 of the fall 2005 issue of Sallyport Sallyport. We need not manipulate the calendar to endow our great university with a faux-prestige of historical time in an attempt to mosey up to the nation’s first universities along the eastern seaboard. We are Houston, not Boston, not Providence, nor New Haven. John B. Victery ’71
Houston, Texas
Mel and Susie Glasscock
In honor of what is believed to be the largest endowment gift ever made to a university continuing education program in the United States, the School of Continuing Studies has been renamed the Susanne M. Glasscock School of Continuing Studies. The name change was made official at a reception honoring donors Susanne and Melbern Glasscock on January 17 at the Cohen House. It is the first time a school has been named at Rice since the Wiess School of Natural Sciences in 1979. Mary McIntire, dean of Continuing Studies; David W. Leebron, Rice president; and Susanne Glasscock spoke to the crowd of more than 150 people, including donors, supporters, faculty, deans, and vice presidents, as well as Continuing Studies participants and staff. McIntire underscored the importance of the endowment gift—the amount of which was not disclosed at the donors’ request. “Because we must continually attract new audiences to our programs,” she said, “we must stay current and at the cutting edge, and we are therefore more vulnerable than the rest of the university to sudden shifts in the economy, world events, and demographic change. The Glasscock endowment will help us maintain stability while we innovate with new programs and initiatives.” President Leebron remarked on the seemingly insatiable curiosity of the Glasscocks, reading off a partial list of Continuing Studies courses taken by the couple over a nearly 30-year span, covering such varied subjects as Michelangelo, Egypt, American history, Houston history, digital photography, and the stock market.
“Susie and Mel exemplify the ideal of lifelong learning,” Leebron said. “We are grateful for their generosity and support, which will bring lifelong learning to thousands of Houstonians and others who benefit from the School of Continuing Studies.” Susanne Glasscock, who serves on the Rice Board of Trustees, said she and her husband “are proud to give this gift to Rice and our community. This is our dream. We truly believe in lifelong learning, and we truly want to see Rice and its wealth of scholarship be an active part of our community. We hope this gift will ensure the growth and expansion of Continuing Studies and provide opportunities to extend Rice beyond the bounds of the campus.” Susanne Glasscock earned her BA in economics from Rice in 1962, while Melbern Glasscock earned a BSME from Texas A&M in 1959 and an MS in mechanical engineering from Rice in 1961. They are the founders of Texas Aromatics, LP, a privately held petrochemical marketing company. He is president and chief executive officer; she served as vice president until her retirement in 2000. Professional development programs offered by the Susanne M. Glasscock School of Continuing Studies include courses in human resources, accounting and financial services, paralegal studies, fundraising, and teacher development. Personal development programs include lecture courses in arts, humanities and sciences, studio art and photography, information technology, creative writing, and languages. The school also administers the new Master of Liberal Studies program designed for working adults. (See page 32 of this issue.)
Spring ’06
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