You may have heard about masters at Rice, but do not let their title mislead you. At Rice, masters are professors and their families who have volunteered to be helpful, loving and supportive people at each of the residential colleges. We are thrilled to have Mike Gustin and Denise Klein as our masters. They live on campus in a real house and serve as advisors, friends, and confidents to all Wiessmen. At the same time, they advocate on behalf of Wiess to the rest of the university. The masters throw study breaks, offer advice whenever you need it, are great to talk with - whether it is at a meal in the Commons or a long discussion in their house. Most definitely go over for masters' teas, typically one per month: these sumptuous, casual, and relaxing occasions are truly out-of-the-ordinary. Get to know the masters. You will not regret it.
These are some of the people that help Wiess run the way it does.
They also tend to provide sweet sugary treats to friendly Wiessmen who visit them!
They also tend to provide sweet sugary treats to friendly Wiessmen who visit them!
The Masters
You may have heard about masters at Rice, but do not let their title mislead you. At Rice, masters are professors and their families who have volunteered to be helpful, loving and supportive people at each of the residential colleges. We are thrilled to have Mike Gustin and Denise Klein as our masters. They live on campus in a real house and serve as advisors, friends, and confidents to all Wiessmen. At the same time, they advocate on behalf of Wiess to the rest of the university. The masters throw study breaks, offer advice whenever you need it, are great to talk with - whether it is at a meal in the Commons or a long discussion in their house. Most definitely go over for masters' teas, typically one per month: these sumptuous, casual, and relaxing occasions are truly out-of-the-ordinary. Get to know the masters. You will not regret it.
The RAs: Christa
Living on the 3rd floor is the new Wiess resident associate, Christa Leimbach. Christa came to Rice three years ago to work as the Assistant Director of the Community Involvement Center. Christa is a native Philadelphian and a graduate of Indiana University. While she seldom paints her face red these days, she's still a huge sports fan, so do not get in her way when the Eagles or Indiana basketball is on! In her free time Christa enjoys exploring Houston, being outside, watching reality tv or romantic comedies, baking up a storm, and laughing a lot. She's a great listener, so if you ever need a sugar fix, stop by her apartment for a cookie and a chat! Living on the 3rd floor is the new Wiess resident associate, Christa Leimbach. Christa came to Rice two years ago to work as the Assistant Director of the Community Involvement Center. Christa is a native Philadelphian and a graduate of Indiana University. While she seldom paints her face red these days, she's still a huge sports fan, so do not get in her way when the Eagles or Indiana basketball is on! In her free time Christa enjoys exploring Houston, being outside, watching reality tv or romantic comedies, baking up a storm, and laughing a lot. She's a great listener, so if you ever need a sugar fix, stop by her apartment for a cookie and a chat!
The RAs: BC
Brent C. (BC) Houchens is a third year resident associate living on the 4th floor of Wiess. Though not a Rice graduate, BC grew up in a town about the size of Rice, so he is all about the community aspect of Wiess. BC is an assistant professor of mechanical engineering and loves to talk about fluid mechanics to anyone willing to listen. He's also happy to listen to anything you might have on your mind, so come find him. Brent hates to run (unless chased), but does nonetheless. He is an avid college basketball fan, and you can share in his madness come March. His favorite teams are the University of Illinois, U-C (where he spent 9 years before they deemed him sufficiently educated to graduate) and the Rice Owls. Fortunately his favorite teams rarely meet in competition, so his loyalties are not often called into question. Go Illinios, Go Owls.
Wiess Coordinator: Nancy
Nancy came to Wiess two years ago after being in the Dean of Engineering Office for twelve years. She is married to Duane and they have two children: a son Randy ('01) who is married and a daughter Robyn ('03). Randy is a software engineer living in Austin and Robyn is an HR specialist living in Arlington, VA. Nancy's roots are in Minnesota where she grew up and graduated from the University of Minnesota. She enjoys traveling, especially to the Lake Superior North Shore, being outdoors in cool weather and attending Rice Owl sporting events, especially baseball, basketball and volleyball. You'll get an email from Nancy when you receive a package at Wiess and she likes to arrange packages alphabetically. Stop in her office anytime, ask a question, complain, buy a stamp, and grab a piece of candy from her bottomless candy bowl!
Associates
Associates are professors, alumni and other adults affiliated with Rice who selflessly and endlessly support the current Wiessmen. Wiess has fantastic associates, and they can sometimes be found eating in the Wiess Commons so make sure to introduce yourself if you see one!