Why does it have the name of a food?

Because of William Marsh Rice.

You've already taken several strong and brave steps, in both the family and the job/future departments, IIRC, so I'm sure you're in the right path, at least, even with the obstacles along it.

Thanks. Me too.

Why does it have the name of a food?

I'm mostly sure it's named after a person, not a starch. Mostly.

I have a really unnattractive navel. Seconding the wish for that trend to vanish.

There's a trend towards unattractive navels?

t runs away

I'm mostly sure it's named after a person, not a starch.

[link]

On May 13, 1891, Massachusetts-born businessman William Marsh Rice chartered the William Marsh Rice Institute for the Advancement of Literature, Science, and Art as a gift to the city of Houston, where he made his fortune. The terms of the charter required that work on the new institute would begin only after Rice's death.

On September 23, 1900, Rice was chloroformed to death by his valet, Charlie Jones, who had conspired with an unscrupulous lawyer, Albert Patrick, to murder the aging millionaire and claim his estate using a forged will. When an autopsy ordered by Rice's attorney, Captain James A. Baker, revealed evidence of poisoning, Jones agreed to provide state's evidence in return for immunity from prosecution. Patrick was convicted of murder and sent to Sing Sing. He was pardoned in 1912, the same year that classes began at the Rice Institute.

I think more universities need something like that second paragraph. Chloroformed-to-death-by-valet definitely spices up the usual "rich dude wants his name immortalized" story.

(And I'm in the middle of rereading Anne of Green Gables, and remembering how Marilla made Anne three dresses and thought that was plenty, while I've got probably thirty shirts, six or seven pairs of pants, four dresses, and about eight skirts. She had less laundry, but considering the difference in laundry technology, it was probably more work.)

(I'm totally rereading it now, too!! Bwahahaha!)

William Marsh Rice

Thanks (Dana, too!). It makes much more sense.

I wouldn't be petty and ask either why he had the name of a food, or what sort of food jokes people throw around that university.

[Edit: Thanks, amych! I'm totally with you regarding the second paragraph, too.]

Showing them, Tep. Also, how would I know mine wasn't pretty otherwise?

On September 23, 1900, Rice was chloroformed to death by his valet, Charlie Jones, who had conspired with an unscrupulous lawyer, Albert Patrick, to murder the aging millionaire and claim his estate using a forged will.

My word, it's a Perry Mason mystery.

Hi Nilly! ::muppet waves::

Hi all! Just a drive-by...

I think more universities need something like that second paragraph. Chloroformed-to-death-by-valet definitely spices up the usual "rich dude wants his name immortalized" story.

Mmhmm. How cool is it that the butler did it?

Also, legend has it that he's buried underneath his statue in the Academic Quad, making Rice the largest cemetery in something-or-other. Or maybe just the fact that it makes it a cemetery is cool enough.

I wouldn't be petty and ask either why he had the name of a food, or what sort of food jokes people throw around that university.

Fewer than you think. Instead, we vote for mitochondria as Homecoming King.