‘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.
Shared Equipment Authority to celebrate 25 years with symposium
Rice’s Shared Equipment Authority is reaching a milestone. The organization is celebrating its 25 years of existence with a Silver Anniversary Symposium from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. April 29 at the BioScience Research Collaborative with all users, stakeholders, vendors and the larger Rice research community invited to join.
Mayor declares April 14 ‘David D. Medina Day’ in honor of Rice alum, employee
Mayor John Whitmire declared April 14 “David D. Medina Day” in Houston for Medina’s contributions to the city through his work at Rice with a proclamation at City Hall.
Faculty recognized with George R. Brown Award for Superior Teaching
Nine Rice faculty members received the 2026 George R. Brown Award for Superior Teaching, which honors Rice’s top instructors based on votes from alumni who graduated within the past two, three and five years.
Rice student Fitzgerald named Houston Pride Parade grand marshal amid rapid rise
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.
REMS brings ‘realism’ to emergency training with moulage workshop
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.
Love letters and real lives: Wiess Tabletop Theatre presents ‘She Loves Me’ April 17-19
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 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.
Hundreds attend RiceFest to learn about employee benefits options, campus services
Hundreds of university employees gathered at the Rice Memorial Center’s Grand Hall April 7 for RiceFest, the annual event designed to help staff explore health care and other benefits. More than 30 campus departments and business partners welcomed attendees, offering valuable information about services and products available together with open enrollment, which runs through April 17.
