McMurtrys break 10th college ground
Amid months of perpetual rain, sunny days have been rare. But Wednesday, the rain let up enough to let about 120 people attend the groundbreaking of McMurtry College on the field in front the Ralph S. O’Connor House. The ceremony took place from 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. A separate groundbreaking for Duncan College will be held Sept. 27.
Those in attendance included residential college masters, college presidents, students, Burt (‘57) and Deedee McMurtry (‘56), Board of Trustees Chair Jim Crownover, President David Leebron, Dean of Undergraduates Dean Forman and Charles (‘47) and Ann Duncan.
Vice President for Resource Development Darrow Zeidenstein said the Duncans’ presence was a nice gesture since Duncan served as the board of trustees chair at the same time McMurtry served.
Leebron and Forman spoke at the ceremony, making remarks about how the residential college system is unique to Rice.
The McMurtrys also made remarks during the ceremony, stressing the importance of philanthropy. Zeidenstein said Burt McMurtry, who helped to design the residential college system, was overjoyed about the construction of McMurtry College.
Zeidenstein said a quirky Rice moment included students giving gifts to McMurtry that symbolized the residential college system, including shaving cream to represent future Baker 13 runs and a bicycle for future McMurtry residents to get ready for Beer-Bike.
“Each of the gifts were symbolic of the residential college system and residential college life,” Zeidenstein said. “I think that was very light-hearted and essential to Rice.”
Martel College President Mikaela Dennison said she was originally against the construction but changed her mind at the groundbreaking ceremony.
“I was shocked at how touched I was by their donation,” Dennison, a senior, said. “I was not aware of the
Courtesy of Rice News/ For the Thresher
Student Association President Laura Kelley, Dean of Undergraduates Robin Forman, Deedee McMurtry, Burt McMurtry, President David Leebron, and Board of Trustees Chair Jim Crownover dig in at the McMurtry College groundbreaking ceremony Wednesday Aug. 29.
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