Sam Byrd

Rice vice president for IT to take on new role

Vice President for Information Technology and Chief Information Officer Paul Padley will transition into an advisory role on July 1, 2025.

Houston Mayor’s Hispanic Advisory Board holiday reception at Rice celebrates culture, community

Rice hosted the Houston Mayor’s Hispanic Advisory Board holiday reception Dec. 16 at Cohen House. The soiree was attended by Houston Mayor John Whitmire and the advisory board members as well as several notable Houstonians.

Rice recognized as an ALL IN Most Engaged Campus for College Student Voting 

Rice has been recognized by the ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge as a 2024 ALL IN Most Engaged Campus for College Student Voting. The honor recognizes colleges and universities for outstanding efforts to increase nonpartisan student voter participation.

‘Never been stronger’: State of the University address showcases Rice’s success, growth

Rice President Reginald DesRoches delivered his State of the University address Dec. 11 at the Moody Center for the Arts, highlighting points of pride from the past year and providing a look to the future. 

Staff Spotlight: Diane O’Brien

Staff Spotlight: Diane O’Brien

New Rice graduates ‘shoot for the stars’ as over 500 degrees are conferred at December commencement

The newest parliament of Owl graduates celebrated a major step in their educational journey during Rice’s December 2024 commencement ceremony, held in Tudor Fieldhouse today. More than 500 degrees were conferred this semester.

Holiday toy drive aims to bring good cheer

’Tis the season of giving, and Rice’s Police Department is hosting its 12th annual Blue Santa Toy Drive in partnership with the Children’s Assessment Center to sponsor 15 families. 

Rice mourns loss of campus leader Kelly Quin

Staff member and beloved employee Kelly Quin passed away Nov. 30. She worked at Rice University for more than 30 years, most recently serving as assistant vice president for campaign and constituent strategy.

Staff Spotlight: Luis Leyva

Staff Spotlight: Luis Leyva

Rice celebrates Indigenous cultures during National Native American Heritage Month

Rice’s Native American Student Association hosted an Indigenous cultural celebration involving dancing, music, food, beading, crafts and storytelling Nov. 22 at Farnsworth Pavilion as part of National Native American Heritage Month.

Staff Spotlight: Crystal Brower

Staff Spotlight: Crystal Brower

Rice observes National Collegiate EMS Week with workshops, fun activities

Rice Emergency Medical Services recognized the 26th annual National Collegiate EMS Week Nov. 11-17 by hosting community education efforts and spirited activities to increase public awareness of collegiate EMS.

Local Foods Market-Rice University now open at Brochstein Pavilion

Longtime Houston restaurateur Benjy Levit debuted Local Foods Market at Rice, situated in the newly renovated Brochstein Pavilion, during a soft opening Nov. 19. Its hours of operation will be weekdays from 8 a.m.-6 p.m. and weekends 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

Rice celebrates first Southeast Asian and Pacific Islander Night

The Rice community joined together at the grassy knoll outside the Memorial Student Center and Brochstein Pavilion to celebrate Rice’s first Southeast Asian and Pacific Islander Night Nov. 8. More than 800 people took in an evening of entertainment, fellowship and food and beverages from local businesses operated by people with SEAPI heritage. The evening was a collaboration between the Rice Vietnamese Student Association, Rice Filipino Student Association and Rice Southeast Asians United at Rice.

Campus parking violators get second chance for relief

On Nov. 19-20, anyone with unpaid parking citations issued on or before Nov. 15 may pay them off while simultaneously benefitting the Rice community through a donation program.