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Published 4:27 pm, Friday, April 7, 2017
A Rice University official recently announced that the title “College Master” would be changed to “College Magister” to avoid any negative historical connotation.
Hidden symbols and secrets found at Rice University
A Rice University official recently announced that the title “College Master” would be changed to “College Magister” to avoid any negative historical connotation.
Hidden symbols and
Photo: Photography By Jessie Reeder, Getty Images
The best heads around
Some of the most dramatic carvings can be seen just inside the main entrance at Lovett Hall’s Sallyport. Here, the heads of some of the world’s most prominent scholars can be found. There’s Louis Pasteur, the French chemist who helped create vaccines and pasteurization. There’s Thomas Jefferson, Charles Darwin, Sir Francis Galton and Christopher Columbus as well.
The best heads around
Some of the most dramatic carvings can be seen just inside the main entrance at Lovett Hall’s Sallyport. Here, the heads of some of the world’s most prominent scholars can be found.
Photo: JAY DRYDEN , Jaydrydenphoto.com
Covered in snakes
Covered in snakes
The heads are portrayed in a bed of snakes. That was a mistake. The sculptor Oswald J. Lassig, who did almost all the original carvings on the campus, carved the heads to portray Medusa,
Photo: JAY DRYDEN | Jaydrydenphoto.com
Goofy looking freshmen
The columns of the Sallyport are carved to portray the four stages of college life: It starts with the face of the silly looking freshmen.
Goofy looking freshmen
The columns of the Sallyport are carved to portray the four stages of college life: It starts with the face of the silly looking freshmen.
Photo: JAY DRYDEN | Jaydrydenphoto.com
Wise senior
It ends with the head of the wise and handsome graduate wearing his mortar board.
Wise senior
It ends with the head of the wise and handsome graduate wearing his mortar board.
Photo: JAY DRYDEN | Jaydrydenphoto.com
Campus life in a nutshell
Carved into Lovett Hall are these three figures meant to represent typical campus life. The co-ed on the left is stared at by the student ignoring his book in the middle and the football player chasing after her on the right.
Campus life in a nutshell
Carved into Lovett Hall are these three figures meant to represent typical campus life. The co-ed on the left is stared at by the student ignoring his book in the middle and the
Photo: JAY DRYDEN | Jaydrydenphoto.com
The man who started it all
The man who started it all
In the center of the Academic Quadrangle stands the statue and tomb of William Marsh Rice, a successful businessman. Rice left nearly his entire fortune to found the university in his
Photo: JAY DRYDEN | Jaydrydenphoto.com
Rice’s exclusive owls
For some mysterious reason, the owls that are on the back of his chair are of a style seen only on this statue and nowhere else.
Rice’s exclusive owls
For some mysterious reason, the owls that are on the back of his chair are of a style seen only on this statue and nowhere else.
Photo: JAY DRYDEN | Jaydrydenphoto.com
Lovett Hall cornerstone
You can’t even enter the academic quad without running into an erudite quote. This one comes from Eusebius of Caesarea: “’Rather,’ said Democritus, ‘would I discover the cause of one fact than become king of the Persians.’”
Lovett Hall cornerstone
You can’t even enter the academic quad without running into an erudite quote. This one comes from Eusebius of Caesarea: “’Rather,’ said Democritus, ‘would I discover the cause
Photo: JAY DRYDEN | Jaydrydenphoto.com
Representing the arts
On the southern side of the Sallyport, this goddess raises up her arms. If you look closely you can see the words: “Love, beauty, joy and worship are forever building, unbuilding and rebuilding in each man’s soul.”
Representing the arts
On the southern side of the Sallyport, this goddess raises up her arms. If you look closely you can see the words: “Love, beauty, joy and worship are forever building, unbuilding and
Photo: JAY DRYDEN | Jaydrydenphoto.com
Look even closer
The woman’s face is a depiction of sculptor Lassig’s wife.
Look even closer
The woman’s face is a depiction of sculptor Lassig’s wife.
Photo: JAY DRYDEN | Jaydrydenphoto.com
Attention to detail
Along the columns and curved arches of the Sallyport, look closely and you’ll see floral carvings with squirrels, fish and birds. You’ll see elaborate depictions of a man with a ram, held up by two other men. Look even closer and you’ll realize there are no breaks in the carvings. They were all carved by hand, freeform after the marble blocks were put in place.
Attention to detail
Along the columns and curved arches of the Sallyport, look closely and you’ll see floral carvings with squirrels, fish and birds. You’ll see elaborate depictions of a man with a ram, held
Photo: JAY DRYDEN | Jaydrydenphoto.com
Houston has roadrunners, right?
You’ll also find these roadrunners, sometimes called chaparrals. In his pamphlet, “Walking Tour of Rice” author James C. Morehead, Jr. calls them “birds of questionable ancestry.”
Houston has roadrunners, right?
You’ll also find these roadrunners, sometimes called chaparrals. In his pamphlet, “Walking Tour of Rice” author James C. Morehead, Jr. calls them “birds of questionable
Photo: JAY DRYDEN | Jaydrydenphoto.com
Owls everywhere
The owl is Rice University’s mascot and Athena’s symbol of wisdom and knowledge. The architects decorated the campus with them at every opportunity. The variations in design are fun to look for. We like to call these guys “pine-owl-ples”
Owls everywhere
The owl is Rice University’s mascot and Athena’s symbol of wisdom and knowledge. The architects decorated the campus with them at every opportunity. The variations in design are fun to look
Photo: JAY DRYDEN | Jaydrydenphoto.com
Elaborate, nerdy pranks
These bronze owls in the original physics building, now Herzstein Hall, went missing in 1983. Antique dealers around the country were on the alert for them. When Dr. Stephen Baker offered a $500 reward for information leading to their recovery, he received an anonymous poem and riddle that led to their recovery. Two were found on the roof of Lovett Hall, and the other two were in the basement, according to Morehead.
Elaborate, nerdy pranks
These bronze owls in the original physics building, now Herzstein Hall, went missing in 1983. Antique dealers around the country were on the alert for them. When Dr. Stephen Baker offered
Photo: JAY DRYDEN | Jaydrydenphoto.com
Another favorite owl
This owl over the main entrance to Herzstein Hall serves as “a pigeon rookery,” according to Morehead. He calls it his favorite. The chisel marks that make the feathers are spectacular.
Another favorite owl
This owl over the main entrance to Herzstein Hall serves as “a pigeon rookery,” according to Morehead. He calls it his favorite. The chisel marks that make the feathers are spectacular.
Photo: JAY DRYDEN | Jaydrydenphoto.com
Angry looking dolphin
The features on all the old buildings are incredible, but these door handles on Herzstein Hall are amazing. If you look closely, they’re supposed to be dolphins.
Angry looking dolphin
The features on all the old buildings are incredible, but these door handles on Herzstein Hall are amazing. If you look closely, they’re supposed to be dolphins.
Photo: JAY DRYDEN | Jaydrydenphoto.com
Careful where you tell your secrets
Nestled in the old physics building are a pair of whispering niches. Secrets told on one side will be easily heard on the other.
Careful where you tell your secrets
Nestled in the old physics building are a pair of whispering niches. Secrets told on one side will be easily heard on the other.
Photo: JAY DRYDEN | Jaydrydenphoto.com
The Giotto cathedral tower in Italy
In the cloister connecting Lovett Hall with Herzstein Hall are these medallions that imitate the style found in Italy, according to Morehead. They represent, the shield of the state of Texas, agriculture, geography, literature, meteorology, sculpture and the shield of Rice Institute.
The Giotto cathedral tower in Italy
In the cloister connecting Lovett Hall with Herzstein Hall are these medallions that imitate the style found in Italy, according to Morehead. They represent, the shield of the
Photo: JAY DRYDEN | Jaydrydenphoto.com
Fondren Library and the development of writing
When the facade of Fondren Library was redone, the plaques depicting the development of writing were carefully moved to the new archways in front. Here, the Egyptians can be seen with the hieroglyphs. There are five plaques in all. If you look closely across the expanse of the entire building, you’ll notice they’re out of chronological order.
Fondren Library and the development of writing
When the facade of Fondren Library was redone, the plaques depicting the development of writing were carefully moved to the new archways in front. Here, the
Photo: JAY DRYDEN | Jaydrydenphoto.com
Not exactly the Illuminati
At the top of the chemistry building is this elaborate joke: it’s called Kircher’s enigma and was designed by alchemists to confuse observers and conceal a basic principle of alchemy. The first letter of each word in the outer ring spells “svlphvr” or sulphur. In the middle ring it spells “fixvm” and in the inner ring “est sol”. If you put this all together you get: “sulphur fixum est sol.” Still not sure what that means? It means “Fixed sulphur is synonymous with gold.” Rice students have quite the sense of humor.
Not exactly the Illuminati
At the top of the chemistry building is this elaborate joke: it’s called Kircher’s enigma and was designed by alchemists to confuse observers and conceal a basic principle of
Photo: JAY DRYDEN , Jaydrydenphoto.com
Architect students everywhere: bow down
On the corner of Keck Hall, in the chemistry department, inside jokes are carved forever into the columns. In this relief, architect William Ward Watkin who was tall and lanky, was carved into stone with architecture students bowing down to him.
Architect students everywhere: bow down
On the corner of Keck Hall, in the chemistry department, inside jokes are carved forever into the columns. In this relief, architect William Ward Watkin who was tall and
Photo: JAY DRYDEN | Jaydrydenphoto.com
Tough teachers
“It’s really fun to think about, when these buildings were built everyone here would have known who these people were. I guess they thought it was funny,” Jim Parsons said.
Tough teachers
“It’s
Photo: JAY DRYDEN , Jaydrydenphoto.com
Chemistry 101
On this column, a freshman chemistry student tries to extract poison from the dragon’s tooth with a Bunsen burner. Silly freshmen.
Chemistry 101
On this column, a freshman chemistry student tries to extract poison from the dragon’s tooth with a Bunsen burner. Silly freshmen.
Photo: JAY DRYDEN | Jaydrydenphoto.com
The two fates
According to Morehead, this column was originally supposed to depict the three fates, with Samuel Glenn McCann, the director of admissions, spinning the thread of knowledge; Harry Caldwell, the dean of the Institute, measuring by grades the thread of knowledge; and Dr. Radoslav Tsanoff, chairman of the Committee on Examinations and Standings, severing the academic thread with a pair of scissors.
But they didn’t leave enough room for all three fates, so only two made the final product: McCann and Caldwell.
The two fates
According to Morehead, this column was originally supposed to depict the three fates, with Samuel Glenn McCann, the director of admissions, spinning the thread of knowledge; Harry Caldwell, the
Photo: JAY DRYDEN , Jaydrydenphoto.com
More depictions of campus life
In perhaps some of the funniest sculptures on campus, this set of terra cotta reliefs at Will Rice College were designed by William McVey. In this particular square from the series a broke and naked student sends a letter home asking for money.
More depictions of campus life
In perhaps some of the funniest sculptures on campus, this set of terra cotta reliefs at Will Rice College were designed by William McVey. In this particular square from the series
Photo: JAY DRYDEN | Jaydrydenphoto.com
When football was king
Believe it or not, Rice was at one time, a force in college football. In fact, the well-known Heisman trophy was named after John William Heisman who coached at Rice from 1924 to 1927.
When football was king
Believe it or not, Rice was at one time, a force in college football. In fact, the well-known Heisman trophy was named after John William Heisman who coached at Rice from 1924 to 1927.
Photo: JAY DRYDEN | Jaydrydenphoto.com
Penrose pattern
Penrose pattern
The back of the Brockman Hall for Physics is covered with the “Penrose pattern”. The pattern is named after the mathematician and physicist who was known for studying it: It is non-periodic
Photo: JAY DRYDEN | Jaydrydenphoto.com
Secret Bible verses
If you look very closely at the capitals of these Baker College columns you can decipher the wisdom of Solomon.
Secret Bible verses
If you look very closely at the capitals of these Baker College columns you can decipher the wisdom of Solomon.
Photo: JAY DRYDEN , Jaydrydenphoto.com
Everlasting light
On these, the lettering spells out: “I prayed and understanding was given me. I called upon God and the spirit of wisdom came into me. For wisdom is a breath of the power of God. She is the reflection of the everlasting light.”
Everlasting light
On these, the lettering spells out: “I prayed and understanding was given me. I called upon God and the spirit of wisdom came into me. For wisdom is a breath of the power of God. She is the
Photo: JAY DRYDEN | Jaydrydenphoto.com
Biology in the bricks
On the side of the Anderson Biological Laboratories, bricks are scattered across the façade with images from the study of biology. From left to right and top to bottom: scorpion, DNA, jellyfish, moth, squid, earthworm, cell division and a trilobite. Campus lore holds that a bricklayer, unfamiliar with marine animals, installed a jellyfish brick upside-down. We went looking for it and couldn’t find it. If you know where it is, please send us a photo at photos@chron.com.
Biology in the bricks
On the side of the Anderson Biological Laboratories, bricks are scattered across the façade with images from the study of biology. From left to right and top to bottom: scorpion, DNA,
Photo: JAY DRYDEN | Jaydrydenphoto.com
Friendly campus squirrel
Friendly campus squirrel
Photo: JAY DRYDEN | Jaydrydenphoto.com
On Thursday, a Rice University official emailed students informing them that the term “College Master” was being changed to “College Magister” in order to avoid any negative historical connotation with the word “master.”
The email was sent by the Dean of Undergraduates John Hutchinsion, who said officials had been discussing the title change for over a year.
According to the university’s website, each college has a master or masters with the “responsibility for all aspects of student life in the college, including encouragement of broad cultural and intellectual interests,” as well as “caring for the well-being of the self and others and effective self-government within the college.”
Many Rice undergraduates live in university’s residential college system, which is composed of 11 residential colleges that are looked after by the college masters.
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In the email, Hutchinsion explained that the negative connotation “sometimes created a serious issue in explaining the usage of the term ‘master’ at Rice” to persons that weren’t part of the campus community, “including family members of current students and staff as well as prospective students and faculty recruits.”
Hutchinsion’s email noted that the changes came to fruition due to “collaboration and constructive dialog, and not from confrontation or controversy,” and will become official at the beginning of the 2017-2018 academic year.
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In a statement to Chron.com, Hutchinsion detailed feedback from the Rice community after the changes were announced:
“I have received several responses from faculty, students and staff, all but one of which were very positive. Excluding that one person, people like the new title, finding it both novel and Rice- appropriate. They like the scholarly nature of a Latin title. One student said she was pleased that the new title is ‘Harry Potter-like.’ Several people commented on how well the process had occurred, and several others commented on how responsive the university was to input on both sides of whether to make a change or not.”
Click through above to check Rice University’s hidden secrets and symbols.
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