Dr. Malcolm Gillis
Office of the President Rice University
P. 0. Box 1892
Houston, TX 77251
Dear Malcolm and the Rice Community:
Thank you for the basket of beautiful flowers you sent me at Carl’s funeral. This June will be the 65th anniversary of our graduation from Rice.
I feel as if I am a living history of Rice from 1926–1930, and I would like to tell you how I hold those memories.
1. A happy memory of receiving a letter saying I was accepted as a freshman.
2. First day of school–feeling lowly with my hair in thirty pigtails, riding a broomstick.
3. Studying in basement library among the big pipes that carried the heat to the school.
4. In sophomore year, Carl spoke to me informing me that our seats were together in Physics Amphitheater for Biology 100. He and I were on the Honor Council.
5. Not many people had cars. Boys caught rides on Main Street.
6. I lived on McKinney next to the library, walked up to Fannin St., caught a streetcar, rode to Eagle Street, transferred to a trolley and rode to got off and walked through the cape jasmine hedges to class. On some afternoons I went home tired, smelling like formaldehyde–after Biology lab, dissecting frogs!
7. Nineteen thirty–Seniors. Carl and I walking in May Fete, Prince and Princess.
8. Graduation ceremonies included unveiling the William Marsh. We have a good picture showing Carl and me in Cap and Gown unveiling the William Marsh Rice Statue.
9. As President of the Women’s Council, I was one of four. The others included Lily Rice, niece of Mr. Rice, Mr. Veasey, President of Students, and Mr. Standish, President of the Alumni. Tea on Graduation afternoon. I stood next to Dr. Lovett.
10. I wore a long green organdy trimmed in pink roses. Beaten biscuits with ham served as refreshments. We were happy to be finished.
11. Things were different then. Houston was like a little town.
12. Over the years Carl and I watched Rice grow and build science buildings and music buildings and join leaders of the World at the Economic Summit and at the James A. Baker Institute. We have been happy to be part of the Rice Community all these sixty-five years.
With love to you and Elizabeth,
