For Rice University junior D. Fitzgerald, what began as a personal journey of self-discovery has quickly grown into a powerful platform for advocacy — one now recognized across the city of Houston. Just one year after attending her first Pride Parade, Fitzgerald has been named a 2026 Houston Pride Parade Trendsetter Grand Marshal, an honor she says still feels surreal.
Rice Emergency Medical Services recently welcomed moulage artist Katie McKinney to campus for a hands-on workshop designed to enhance the realism of emergency response training. Through the use of special effects makeup, McKinney taught students how to recreate lifelike injuries — transforming standard simulations into immersive, high-impact learning experiences.
Students, alumni and fans gathered at Rice April 10-11 to celebrate the 69th annual Beer Bike, one of the university’s most popular traditions and a centerpiece of the residential college experience.
Rice's Wiess Tabletop Theatre will present “She Loves Me” at 8 p.m. April 17-19 in the Wiess Commons. The show is free to Rice students, and others can attend for a $5 general admission fee.
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.
Students at Rice had the opportunity to engage directly with former members of Congress from different political parties during a two-day campus visit that emphasized civil dialogue, public service and the role of politics in everyday life.
Rice senior Pankti Mehta is channeling her drive to improve how people access and experience health care by combining computer science with hands-on clinical insight.
Rice President Reginald DesRoches and Kelly Fox, executive vice president for operations, finance and support, greeted employees who have opted to participate in the Voluntary Separation Incentive Program March 27 in the Baker Institute for Public Policy’s Dore Commons.
Venture capitalist John Doerr joined Doerr Institute for New Leaders’ director Bernie Banks at Rice March 26 for a wide-ranging conversation on leadership, technology and the future of work.
The global journeys of Rice University students were on display March 27 as the Office of Study Abroad hosted the 2026 Study Abroad Photo Contest Exhibition, celebrating photographs captured by students during their international experiences and the cultural insights they brought back to campus.
Rice's Office of Sustainability invites the campus community to join the third annual Earth Month Kick-Off Festival from 12:30-3:30 p.m. April 1 at the Grand Hall in Rice Memorial Center.
Rice is enriching its on-campus experience by hiring Brian Lindoerfer as associate vice president for facilities. He officially begins working April 13.
Rice is saluting Karen Rubinsky for 33 years of dedication to higher education. As the assistant vice president for development and alumni operations, she is responsible for planning, developing and maintaining the infrastructure and day-to-day administrative operations for the Development and Alumni Relations division.
The Rice Table Tennis Club’s women’s team has advanced to the National Collegiate Table Tennis Association National Championships for the third consecutive year after performing well at the South Regionals. Club president Daniela Hikari Yano said the achievement comes at a time when table tennis is growing globally.
Students, faculty, staff and alumni gathered at Rice for the annual Black Excellence Gala, an evening recognizing the achievements of Black students while reflecting on the history and growth of the university’s Black community.