Rice University hosted its inaugural Community Market during Alumni Weekend, the largest annual alumni event on campus featuring homecoming and reunion programming. Between 8:30-11 a.m. Nov. 4, 24 vendors filled the Greenbriar lot as Rice alumni business owners sold products, generated awareness of their businesses and networked with each other.
“We love seeing alumni connect with each other and hearing them share their Rice stories. That's one of the most exciting things about this weekend,” said April Cole, director of alumni programs. “It's not just that people see classmates they have not seen in a long time, but also they learn what networking opportunities exist, whether in Houston or globally, and can forge a greater sense of community amongst each other.”
The idea for the market was birthed from the desire to introduce fresh, new events at Alumni Weekend to showcase alumni-owned businesses.
The excitement from the alumni business owners was palpable.
“When Rice reached out [about the Community Market], I wanted to participate right away because this is a unique idea to bring together all of these community members who are affiliated with Rice,” said Carin Giga ’10, owner of Three Dog Bakery. “We don’t realize that there are so many of us alumni here in Houston, and so many of us are involved in small businesses. This brings us as business owners together, and it’s a great way to get some visibility.”
Darrell Morris ’18, a proprietor of both Southern Cadence Cuisine and Well Done Cooking Classes, shared the same enthusiasm to attend.
“It’s really good to see a lot of the Rice entrepreneurs and business owners in the community, what they’re representing and what they’re doing,” Morris said. “There are some tremendous businesses here [at the Community Market].”
Many of the participants also showed off the Rice-inspired items they sell, like Shane Clark ’21, co-owner of Establo Blanco. Among the many handcrafted items he sells are candles with aromas reminiscent of Fondren Library and Valhalla.
For Alumni Weekend, more than 1,500 alumni and friends attended, which marks an increase in participation compared to recent years, which can be partially attributed to new programming like the Community Market.
“Alumni involvement and energy this year around our homecoming and reunion programming has been very exciting,” Cole said. “We look forward to continuing to strengthen our engagement opportunities, so both undergraduate and graduate alumni from all decades and locations can come back to Rice and reconnect and participate."
To stay connected with Rice Alumni events and news, visit alumni.rice.edu.