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.
Rice, San Jacinto College renew Take Flight Scholars partnership
Rice and San Jacinto College formally renewed and expanded the Take Flight Scholars program partnership, celebrating a collaboration designed to increase educational access and create stronger transfer pathways for community college students.
Digital Learning Symposium emphasizes responsible AI in education
The 2026 Digital Learning Symposium, an inaugural event for Rice, brought together faculty, students and thought leaders to explore a central question shaping higher education today: How do we preserve human-centered learning in an age increasingly defined by artificial intelligence?
ARUBA Weekend celebrates legacy, charts future for Black alumni at Rice
Legacy at Rice is not just something to look back on — it is something actively built, carried and expanded. That idea that started with a few members of the Association of Rice Black Alumni led by past ARUBA president Angela Berry Roberson came into focus during the inaugural ARUBA Weekend, a recent four-day gathering that brought together alumni, students, faculty and university leaders for reflection, reconnection and a shared vision for what comes next.
Rice conferred 270 doctoral degrees during its 113th commencement May 9 at Tudor Fieldhouse. Doctoral candidates along with friends, family and loved ones gathered for the ceremony, which included the awarding of doctoral regalia and dissertation titles, congratulatory remarks, cheers and a few moments to reflect on this milestone.
Rice’s Shared Equipment Authority celebrates silver anniversary with symposium
Rice’s Shared Equipment Authority celebrated 25 years of operation with a Silver Anniversary Symposium April 29 at the BioScience Research Collaborative.
Moody Fest enters fourth year, draws thousands
Rice’s Founder’s Court looked less like the serene grassy knoll it usually is and more like an illuminated music festival Friday evening as around 2,000 students gathered for Moody Fest. Themed Glow this year, it was a lively celebration filled with live music, games, complimentary bites from local vendors and custom swag like light-up sticks and radiant headpieces.
‘Take advantage of every moment’: Brian Gibson wins Elizabeth Gillis Award
Brian Gibson, senior associate dean of undergraduates, was named this year’s winner of the Elizabeth Gillis Award for Exemplary Service at Rice President Reginald DesRoches’ annual event celebrating staff accomplishments April 23 at Tudor Fieldhouse.
Future Owls flock to Rice for Owl Days
Rice recently welcomed admitted students and their families to campus for Owl Days and Owl Days Express. The program is an opportunity for new students to explore the campus and its surrounding area. The Class of 2030 connected with fellow Owls, learned more about what the next four years may look like and experienced the university’s community, academics and culture of care.
President Reginald DesRoches welcomed hundreds of Rice University staff members to a morning breakfast and recognition ceremony April 23 at Tudor Fieldhouse. Themed For All You Do, We Care For You, the gathering highlighted the university’s successes and staff’s accomplishments during the previous year and a glimpse into Rice’s trajectory in the coming years.
Celebrating excellence: Announcing Center for Teaching Excellence Award winners
Rice’s 2026 University Awards Ceremony, hosted by the Center for Teaching Excellence, brought together faculty, students and academic leaders to celebrate one central idea: Great teaching transforms lives. The event highlighted not only outstanding educators but also the broader culture of mentorship, innovation and community that defines the university.
