3 * HANSZEN COLLEGE (Raiders of the Lost O-Week)

Greetings! I'm Mary, a junior Environmental Engineering and Sociology major from the great state of Michigan. You'll find that most people call me Mariderr and often put my name to song (ask me about this sometime and I just might sing for you, maybe). This summer, when not spending quality time with Ryan and Chris, I'm working at the Office of Student Activities, catching up on all of the movies I've missed in the last year (much to my displeasure I still have not seen Good Will Hunting), rollerblading, and weightlifting (laugh not). During school, I keep busy with the Rice Writing Center, CAPP, Hanszen committees and court, and I always make time to enjoy the simple pleasures in life. Here are some of my suggestions for making the most of your Rice experience: Wear Orgo molecule models on your head. Eat Amy's Ice Cream frequently. Visit the Sewall Art Gallery. Avoid Stat 310. Order Chinese food for delivery on Sunday evenings. Sing with your roommates at 3 AM. Notice the trees on sunny Friday afternoons. Hang out in Glynda's office. Learn how to swing dance. Hoard CK macaroons. Watch college musicals. Do the assigned reading BEFORE class. Play "Mafia." Get to know the CK staff. Stop by room 173 and visit me anytime. Attend Campanile Orchestra concerts. Explore Houston. Call home. Never pass up a late night discussion. Take risks. Smile often. Strive for happiness. As you'll be able to tell after reading this book, all of us here at Hanszen can't wait for you to arrive. Are we a bit strange? Probably. Overzealous? Yeah. Committed to helping you have the most comfortable adjustment to Rice as possible? Definitely. So, if there is ever anything we can do for you, contact us!

Hey there, folks! I'm a senior from Cincinnati, Ohio. Jerry Springer was mayor of my town (no joke), so I must be exciting. Back in the day I was an engineering major, but it didn't take too long to figure out that my true love is history. So now you can find me bustin' a move in the library stacks rather than the laboratory. I love it so much, I'm even sticking around Rice this summer to do research. No, I'm not a geek, just passionate.

When I'm not reading, talking, or living history... well, I'm probably not me. But I find ways to do other things while still diggin' the historical progress of mankind. I play badminton (no it's not a wimpy sport, damnit!!). I run. Not far, not fast, but at least I'm out there, man. I go on late night outings with friends when I don't have time. I dance... well, it passes for dancing. I do car trips with friends. We get lost. Basically, I like to have a good time. I love theater, and I've been in a few plays in my time. They even cast me in two Hanszen musicals. I can't really sing very well... not at all really (ask Chris and Mary). But it's still worth it to have that small, non-singing role just to be in the show. I fight the good fight for gender equality at the Rice Women's Center. Yeah, yeah, I know I'm a man, but men can be feminists, too. But the reason that I'm here in hot and humid Houston this summer is to make Orientation Week happen for you guys. I wanted to do this coordinator thing in order to show you the best parts of Rice. I've been here for three years, and I know this is a great place. But you're just coming here. Now it's your turn to make this university for yourselves into the exciting, educational, and fun place that it has been for me. Welcome to Rice!

Mis amigos. I've been eagerly awaiting your arrival for... well, for a long time, and now that we've got your forms it's all Mary and Ryan can do to keep me rooted in reality. So far they've succeeded. So far. Anyway, about me. I was born 19 years ago in a hospital about ten minutes from Rice, something that can be viewed one of two ways: a) I've led a boring life and haven't strayed too far in what are supposed to be my formative years, or b) I really like it here. I prefer the latter. I have, however, made a few excursions outside of my homeland, with the primary purpose of returning with some culture and reducing my chances of becoming -- dare I say it? -- a "hick." Still haven't made it to Europe, though.

Sigh.

So here I am at good ol' Rice U, struggling against all odds to extend my childhood as long as possible (some days are better than others). Among other things, I like to write sentences in the form of irrelevant binaries, such as: I'm a computer science turned English major who likes peanut butter M&M's; or, I keep my high-school yearbook in the same drawer as my daily planner (which can also be viewed one of two ways). Beyond that, my major distractions are playing/watching baseball, writing short stories, listening to Frank Sinatra (rest in peace), going tubing on the Guadalupe, watching movies at high volume, reading a novel a week, eating Subway Cold-Cut Combos(tm), and generally anything high on the fun-o-meter. Around Hanszen, you can find me playing pool (or trying to, anyway), singing in the shower (try and stop me), yelling "BEER-BIKE" at the top of my lungs, or pumping out Christmas music on Nate Jablecki's speakers (even in July). Oh yeah, and studying. Mom. ;-)

In general, I'm a pretty easygoing guy. I am, however, very serious about (at least) one thing: making your introduction to Rice as fun and as smooth as possible. My door is always, always, always open (room 211, Old Section) if ever you have a question, problem, or just want to hang out.

Honestly.

So enjoy the rest of your summer and we'll worry about everything else when you get here. See you on August 23 (but please, for the love of God, not before 9:30 AM)!