Dream Team

Min Ji Kim

Advisor

Brett Gutstein

Advisor

Ladies and gentlemen, this is it. You’re about to meet the great Brett Gutstein, a man who will change your life. Brett was born in Ann Arbor, Michigan, but moved to Houston at the ripe age of 3. His house is a convenient two blocks away from campus, and although he loves his room at Lovett, he’s known to make spontaneous homecoming journeys between the hours of 3 and 6 AM (to the surprise of his parents and friends). When he isn’t cranking out lines of code or working hard on problem sets, Brett is involved in a number of different extracurricular pursuits. Do you need someone to tenderly sing you a heartfelt lullaby? Brett’s your man. Blessed with an angel’s voice, Brett is the president of Nocturnal, an a cappella group on campus. He’s also very involved at Lovett, serving as a Peer Academic Advisor, a coordinator of the Associates Program, and an Associate Justice on Lovett Court. Additionally, Brett is an amazing freestyle rapper--make sure to ask him to show you his skills during O-Week. You can count on him to put his heart into anything he does, and he remains humble despite his many amazing talents. He’s a kind and genuine person and always willing to help you through school or life problems. If Brett is your advisor, you should consider yourself lucky, because you are sure to have an exceptional O-Week and an amazing new friend.

~Winston Arney, Rishi Suresh and Jacob Jaffe, Lovett ‘17

Some people call her Min Jeezy. She’s known as the best Korean rapper that ever lived - busting some rhymes to Macklemore’s “Thrift Shop.” But Min Jeezy is just an alter-ego, a name you come up with it to make it big in the rap world. Hailing from Frisco, Texas, Min Ji is not only a professional rapper, but also a world-renowned traveler. Her journeys have taken her to the motherland (Korea) as well as Africa (Uganda and Rwanda), among other amazing places. She is also a pro at photoshop, and after working with her coordinating the BEST DAY EVER AT RICE (you’ll learn more about this later!), I can personally tell you that she puts all of her effort and energy into making something the best it can be. But most importantly, with her charming personality and warm heart, Min Ji is one of the most genuine, engaging, and true-to-herself individuals that I have ever met. She profoundly cares about Rice, she deeply cares about Lovett, and she will passionately care about you. She will be there for you for the rest of your time at Rice, and although Min Ji might not have a physical presence, she will always be lingering in your mind, reminding you to tap into your inner rapper...

~Nick Thorpe, Lovett ‘15

Good job! You’ve just started your college career, and you’ve already managed to land the strong like bull, quick as lightning Ellen Diemert as your athletic affiliate! She arrived in the United States on the back of a wild moose, carrying nothing but maple syrup and tokens of the motherland in her pack. If you listen closely, you’ll be able to catch a hint of her exotic Canadian accent as she dazzles you with the politeness of a hundred Canadians. But underneath that sweet exterior lies a mean, green fighting machine of solid muscle and enough salad to fill an Olympic swimming pool. If you ever want to test your fitness level, Ellen is always game to have a quick race. And even though she might be competing against you (and absolutely killing it), she’s the one cheering loudest for your success. When she isn’t dropping miles on the outer loop or making Michael Phelps look like a wimp in the pool, Ellen can be found organizing summer camps for children of cancer patients or planning some fun activities for Lovett College. Start talking about one of her many passions, maybe nutrition or the environment, and she’ll light up. Her infectious good mood and smiles will be sure to make your O-Week the best and brightest it can be.

~Katie Jansen, Lovett ‘17

Who cares about winning the Olympics when you’ve already won the best advisor in Matt McGee? Your awesome advisor hails from Clear Lake, making him your perfect guide to everything Texas. His Southern charm and quick wit make him the best combination of warmhearted friend and fun-loving wingman. What’s the secret to Matt’s Olympic bod? Don’t ask me, ask the employees at Whataburger who’ve all come to love and adore their favorite patron. When not eating his way through a Whatachick’n or caring for his fish, Larry II, Matt loves jamming to his guilty pleasure, Austin Mahone, at the gym, and exploring Houston’s cultural scene. As an English major, Matt’s always ready and willing to discuss or debate your favorite novels. You’re also lucky to have a Rice Health Advisor as one of your advisors, because Matt always has free band-aids and Advil for whatever adventures may come your way. Matt’s your guy when you need someone to listen to your problems or a buddy to celebrate with. You haven’t even met him, but you’ve already made a lifelong friend in Matt McGee. Get excited to leap into your first year at Rice with Matt with you every step of the way!

~Dorin Azerad, McMurtry ‘16

Christine Jeong

O-Week Videographer

Matt McGee

Co-Advisor

Ellen Diemert

O-Week Athletic Affiliate

When those outside of Houston reflect upon the city, many will reference the humidity, the poor infrastructure, and the absence of zoning laws as potential negatives. However, the city remains a shining star in the eyes of those who are good friends with Houston’s very own diamond in the rough, and this gem is none other than Christine Jeong. Born and raised in Houston, Christine is a true Texan at heart! Nevertheless, her loyalties stand with Rice University. Never have I seen one so devoted to being involved around campus. She is a hard-working English major with the dream of becoming an acclaimed lawyer. While she analyzes the esteemed plays of William Shakespeare and other great literary works in her many classes, Christine also demonstrates her superior skills with the English language as an editor for the Rice Thresher, the on-campus newspaper. It has been said that her lyrics have brought grown men to tears with their sheer beauty and flawless structure. Although she works hard, Christine knows how to relax and have a great time. She can often be found appreciating nature as she casually reads a great novel, or going to the gym to brighten the campus with her gorgeous smile and upbeat attitude. As if this wasn’t amazing enough, she is renowned for her incredible cooking and baking expertise. Perhaps if you make her smile, she may agree to make you some of her famous Oreo balls! But truly, Christine is someone who can brighten your day just by talking to her. She is a remarkable individual, a happy soul who loves to laugh, and probably one of the greatest people you will ever meet.

~Greg Aird, Lovett ‘17