‘Creating new knowledge:’ Rice congratulates more than 250 doctoral graduates
Rice conferred more than 250 doctoral degrees during its 112th commencement May 10 at Tudor Fieldhouse. Doctoral candidates along with friends, family and loved ones gathered for the ceremony, which included the awarding of doctoral regalia, congratulatory remarks, cheers and a few moments to reflect on this milestone.
Rice’s Sahra Night embraces Middle Eastern and North African customs
Rice University’s Middle Eastern and North African Student Association (MENA) celebrated the rich customs of its student members’ traditions during Sahra Night, held at the Rice Memorial Center’s Grand Hall April 26.
Rice will celebrate almost 3,000 graduates during commencement ceremonies
Rice will congratulate almost 3,000 students who have dutifully earned their college diplomas during commencement weekend May 9-10. For more information, including updates to the policies and procedures for commencement events, please visit the Rice commencement website.
Rice caps year of increasing Moody Experience activities with celebration, student impact stories
Following a year full of increased activity for Moody Experience programs, Andy Osborn, program manager of educational initiatives, welcomed campus partners and students April 28 at Cohen House to celebrate student impacts and thank campus collaborators for their contributions throughout the year.
Rice salutes Catherine Clack’s 43 years of service
Catherine Clack, Rice’s associate vice provost in the Office of Access and Institutional Excellence and director of the Multicultural Center, is retiring in May, providing a capstone to her long and productive career with the university.
President Reginald DesRoches welcomed hundreds of Rice University staff members to a morning breakfast and recognition ceremony April 23 at Tudor Fieldhouse. Themed Supporting You, Celebrating 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.
Rice honors Brown, Julia, Martinez, Moore, Quintanilla and Walker with 2025 Staff Excellence Award
Rice University recognized six outstanding staff members with the 2025 Staff Excellence Award during the annual staff appreciation event April 23, celebrating their extraordinary dedication and service to the university community.
‘Kindness matters’: Victoria Langlais wins Elizabeth Gillis Award
Victoria Langlais, senior assistant dean of human resources and administration in Rice’s George R. Brown School of Engineering and Computing, was named this year’s winner of the Elizabeth Gillis Award for Exemplary Service at President Reginald DesRoches’ annual event celebrating staff accomplishments April 23.
‘Determined to find a solution’: Rice students create wellness app
A team of students from Rice is developing a mobile app to “make happiness a daily habit.” Named Sprout Wellness, the technology’s goal is to provide users with positive psychology-based activity plans to foster social connection, improve well-being and decrease depressive symptoms. It is available for download from the Apple App Store and will soon be available on GooglePlay.
Ross Rankin Moody Opportunity Fund bolsters Rice student opportunities
The Ross Rankin Moody Opportunity Fund distributed $9,500 among 13 students to support their travel opportunities. Most of the funds were allocated to Rice in Country programs, while others were used for internships, research programs or international competitions.
Future Owls flock to Rice for Owl Days
Rice welcomed admitted students and their families to campus for Owl Days April 11 and for Owl Days Express April 13. The program is an opportunity for new students to explore the campus and its surrounding area. The Class of 2029 connected with fellow Owls, learned more about what the next four years may look like and experienced Rice’s community, academics and culture of care.
Faculty recognized with George R. Brown Award for Superior Teaching
Nine Rice faculty members received the 2025 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.
Dao selected as Rice’s first associate vice president of campus safety and research security
Tam Dao has been appointed Rice University’s first associate vice president of campus safety and research security. His first day in this role will be May 1. Dao currently serves as Rice’s assistant vice president for research security, and his new role will combine that position with the responsibilities previously held by Kathryn Cavender as associate vice president for campus safety.
