Welcoming the world: Rice helps bring FIFA World Cup to Houston
When Houston served as host city for the FIFA World Cup 2026, Rice University helped extend the tournament beyond the stadium by creating opportunities for students, faculty, staff, alumni and the broader community to take part in one of the world’s largest sporting events.
Five Owls named to NABC Honors Court
The National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) announced its annual Honors Court with five Owl student-athletes earning the distinction, the organization announced.
Van der Westhuizen named CSC Academic All-America first team
Rice women's track and field athlete Mckyla Van der Westhuizen added one more honor to her stellar career after being named a CSC Academic All-America First Team, the organization announced Wednesday morning.
Five Owls named American Conference scholar athletes of the year
Rice Athletics had a conference-leading five student-athletes be named an American Conference Scholar Athlete of the Year for their respective sports, while Mckyla Van der Westhuizen was named the American Conference Female Scholar Athlete of the Year, the conference announced Thursday morning.
A World Cup superfan's journey comes full circle at Rice
For Mauricio Benitez, every FIFA World Cup is about more than the soccer on the field. It’s about the people.
Summer Creative Writing Camp sparks imagination for more than 800 greater Houston students
More than 800 K–12 students from across the greater Houston area traded traditional summer pastimes for notebooks, pens and art supplies as participants in Rice's annual Creative Writing Camp.
Local students uncover Galveston’s Jewish history through Rice archives fellowship
Nine high school students from five schools across the Houston region spent a week at Rice this summer exploring the rich history of Galveston’s Jewish community through the South Texas Jewish Archives’ second annual summer fellowship program.
From Owl Edge to published research: Externship sparks mentorship, career path for Rice senior
What began as a three-day virtual externship through Rice's Owl Edge program grew into a life-changing mentorship, undergraduate research opportunity and a published peer-reviewed journal article for recent graduate Priya Armour.
A gift from Rice University President’s Distinguished Fellow Ruth J. Simmons will help expand breast cancer prevention, education and outreach efforts across Southeast Texas while honoring the life of her late sister, Nora B. Wilson.
Harbach claims USATF U20 javelin title
A week after Rice women's track and field saw a national champion in the javelin from senior Mckyla Van der Westhuizen, freshman Emily Harbach won the javelin at the USATF U20 national meet in Eugene, Oregon.
Rice alumni help power FIFA World Cup 2026 operations behind the scenes
As millions of fans watch the FIFA World Cup 2026 across North America, a team of Rice alumni is helping ensure the tournament runs smoothly behind the scenes.
Rice Board of Trustees welcomes 5 new members
Rice has elected five new members to its board of trustees. Dr. Barbara Jenkins Gibbs ‘73, John V. Jaggers ‘73, Robert “Rob” Kaplan, Akilah Mance ‘05 and Sunit Patel ‘85 will begin their terms July 1.
Rice brings innovation to the world stage at FIFA Fan Festival
Amid the energy, music and sea of soccer fans at FIFA Fan Festival, Rice University is giving visitors from around the world a chance to experience a different kind of game changer.
Rice watch parties bring global World Cup excitement to campus and beyond
The FIFA World Cup has arrived in Houston, and Rice is helping bring the excitement to fans across campus and the city.
Van der Westhuizen crowned national champion
Mckyla Van der Westhuizen jumped from third to first to be crowned a National Champion in the javelin, joining a list of all-time elite athletes for Rice women's track and field Thursday evening at the 2026 NCAA Outdoor Championships in Eugene, Oregon.
