7 selected to join Association of Rice Alumni board
Seven alumni have been selected to serve on Rice's Association of Rice Alumni (ARA) Board of Directors : Carlin Cherry, Kate Gunn Pagel, LaKeisha Batts, Chloe Oani, Shardee Caesar Douglas, Jim Pyke and Travis Johnson. They begin their three-year terms July 1, when Alicia Burns Wright becomes president of the ARA and Andrew Lin becomes president-elect.
‘Rice means something to all of us’: Association of Rice Alumni honors Laureates Award recipients
A parliament of Owl alumni and friends recently gathered at The Revaire to celebrate the achievements, dedication and impact of Rice’s alumni at the Association of Rice Alumni’s annual Laureates Awards Dinner. The association’s president David Leal ’03 welcomed the more than 200 alumni and friends to kick off the event.
Shepherd School alumna wins Pulitzer Prize for music
Gabriela Lena Frank won the 2026 Pulitzer Prize for her orchestral work “Picaflor: A Future Myth."
Engineering students design field-ready solution for exertional heat stroke
A team of Rice engineering students developed a portable cooling system prototype for managing exertional heat stroke.
Parthasarathy Ranganathan, vice president and engineering fellow at Google, discussed the rapid evolution of artificial intelligence and the technical and societal challenges shaping its future during the second annual Raleigh White Johnson Jr. Lecture at the George R. Brown School of Engineering and Computing.
Greg Marshall’s ‘right livelihood’: A career of connection leads to Rice’s Y. Ping Sun Award
Greg Marshall was awarded the Y. Ping Sun Award for Community Engagement, one of Rice’s highest honors for service beyond campus.
Fleet Week at Rice highlights research ties, military leadership and community connection
Rice played a key role in Houston’s Fleet Week celebration, hosting senior military leaders, engaging students and joining citywide events that highlighted the deep connection between the U.S. Navy and one of the nation’s busiest maritime hubs.
Scheid to be awarded ARA’s Gold Medal at Laureates Awards
At the 2026 Laureates Awards ceremony May 7, the Association of Rice Alumni will bestow its highest honor — the Gold Medal Award — to Mark S. Scheid ’67, ’72.
Rice mourns loss of philanthropic alum, devoted campus leader Russ Pitman
Rice is remembering the life of beloved alumnus, employee and donor H. Russell “Russ” Pitman ’58, who died April 10 at 89. Pitman’s connection to Rice spans seven decades — first as a student, then as a staff member and ultimately as one of the university’s most generous benefactors.
Rice alumna plays key role in NASA’s Artemis II lunar mission
As NASA’s Artemis II mission marks a historic return to crewed lunar flight, a Rice alumna is helping monitor the spacecraft in real time from the ground.
Rice changemakers recognized by Houston Woman Magazine
Two Rice leaders and three alumni have been named among “Houston’s 50 Most Influential Women of 2025” by Houston Woman Magazine.
Shepherd School alumni and faculty featured in leading US opera companies’ new seasons
Shepherd School of Music will command a significant presence on the nation’s leading opera stages in the 2026-27 season, including Houston Grand Opera, the Metropolitan Opera, San Francisco Opera and LA Opera.
Shepherd School alumni claim 3 of 6 top prizes at Metropolitan Opera Laffont Competition
The accomplishment is particularly striking because each of the school’s three voice studios is represented by the winners.
Shruti Kashinath ’11: Bridging innovation and patient care in global health
As Rice expands its global footprint through Rice Global India, Shruti Kashinath sees meaningful opportunities to connect alumni expertise with India’s rapidly growing startup ecosystem.
Shepherd School spotlight: Rising soloists take center stage in upcoming concerts
This spring, two orchestral concerts offer the Houston community a chance to hear Shepherd School students' work come fully to life.
