Rice engineering joins Grand Challenges Initiative
In a public letter to President Barack Obama, Rice University joined 121 other American engineering schools Monday in committing to prepare engineers to address a number of “Grand Challenges” facing modern society.
The letter, signed by Dean of Engineering Edwin Thomas, mentioned Introduction to Engineering Design (ENGI 120), Senior Capstone Design, the Rice Center for Engineering Leadership and Engineers Without Borders as examples of Rice’s ability to successfully educate engineering students.
According to the website of the National Academy of Engineering, which coordinated the Grand Challenges initiative, the initiative targets a set of 14 challenges developed with the White House Strategy for American Innovation and the United Nations Millenium Development Goals. Each of the committed schools plans to graduate at least 20 students each year who are prepared to work toward solving these issues.
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First-ever election block party draws crowds
A line stretched across the academic quad this Election Day. In contrast to previous years, however, the line was not for voting at the Sewall Hall polling location — it was for the first-ever election block party hosted by the Center for Civic Engagement. The event aimed to encourage student voting and engagement in politics, complete with a bouncy castle, free food and a DJ.
Students pack Sid Richardson to watch election results
Around 200 students crowded into the Sid Richardson College commons Tuesday evening, where voting results played out on the commons’ screen. As Massachusetts turned blue, a loud cheer erupted throughout the room.
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On Tuesday, 1,094 voters flocked to Rice’s Welcome Center to cast their ballots in the presidential, state and local elections. Wait times climbed to an hour shortly after the polling center’s doors opened at 7 a.m., with many hoping to beat the crowds during Rice’s first-ever non-instructional Election Day. The lines calmed down around noon, when students began congregating in the academic quad for the election block party.
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