Sallyport - The Magazine of Rice University - Winter 2002

Through the Sallyport
Winter 2002
VOL.58, NO.2
Putin Looks for Stronger U.S.– Russia Ties
At the height of the Cold War, few Americans imagined that Russia would have a
democratically elected president. Or that he would tell a United States audience
that Russia seeks membership in the World Trade Organization, wishes to forge
stronger relationships with United States businesses, and welcomes increased
foreign investment.
Fondren’s Ranking Makes Big Jump
It’s no secret that information is the name of the game, and while that’s probably
always been the case, it’s never been more true than now.
Music Dean Tapped to Lead NEA
President Bush has taken one of our deans. While that may not be good news for
Rice, it certainly is wonderful news for the country. On September 19, the
president announced his intention to nominate Michael Hammond, dean of Rice’s
Shepherd School of Music, to chair the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA),
and Hammond’s nomination was unanimously confirmed by the U.S. Senate on
December 20.
The Ethics of Biotechnology
Before the last half of the 20th century, few people paid attention to the ethics of
technological advancement. Technology was thought to be good, and the only real
consideration was its effectiveness. And by and large, technology has proved to
be of great benefit.
Nano Meets H 2 O
Water. It’s the most abundant solvent on the planet and the medium of life. And it
may provide scientists the means to move nanotechnology beyond molecularscale
electronics and science-fiction nanobots and to develop new medical
therapies and solve persistent problems in environmental engineering.
Bio-Cartographers Unite!
We like to brag about how sophisticated our computer systems have become, but
we have a long way to go to match the amount of information nature has managed
to pack into even simple living organisms.
Bioresearch Focus of New Training Program
A new graduate student training program at Rice aims to give researchers the
skills necessary to work in an integrative environment and produce innovative and
cost-effective biotechnological products in the 21st century.
Rice: The Next Century Campaign
Rice Gallery: One saw; the other saw.
The fluidity of art, design, and music realized in Rice Gallery’s recent installation,
One saw; the other saw., exemplifies the gallery’s interest in commissioning
original works that challenge conventional conceptions of the boundaries of visual
art. On display from September 21 to October 28, the site-specific piece was
created by Los Angeles-based artist Jennifer Steinkamp and electronic music
composer Jimmy Johnson.
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