News Releases

Rice University announces historic gift to establish Virani Undergraduate School of Business

Houston business and community leaders Farid and Asha Virani have made a generous philanthropic gift to Rice's business program igniting a new era of opportunity for students. In recognition of this historic contribution, the current undergraduate business program will be named the Virani Undergraduate School of Business.

New study finds invasive plants drive homogenization of soil microbial communities across U.S.

A new study co-authored by Matthew McCary reveals that these species are reshaping soil microbial communities across the U.S., making them more uniform and altering how ecosystems function.

Rice reappoints key academic leaders Gorman, Matsuda, Higgs and Bruce

Rice University has announced the reappointments of Bridget Gorman as dean of undergraduates and Seiichi Matsuda as dean of graduate and postdoctoral studies, both for five-year terms beginning July 1, 2025.

Rice launches Center for Customer-Based Execution and Strategy at the Jones Graduate School of Business

Rice has launched the Center for Customer-Based Execution and Strategy (C-CUBES), housed within the Jones Graduate School of Business. The center is dedicated to researching, understanding and sharing customer-centered concepts and practices with for-profit and nonprofit organizations. It will serve as a hub for research scholars, business executives and nonprofit leaders to improve customer value, employee engagement and shareholder returns.

Rice’s Shepherd School of Music presents enchanting performances of Handel’s ‘Alcina’

Rice’s Shepherd School of Music will present Handel’s “Alcina,” a baroque masterpiece of magic, deception and passion, in Brockman Hall for Opera Nov. 1 and 3.

Rice Business conference Oct. 25 to explore diversity in business

Rice Business’ annual conference, “Sparking Success: The Intersection of Business and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion,” will take place Oct. 25.  The event bring together academics, corporate leaders and communications experts for dialogue and skill-building around diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) in business.

Erin Hannigan to succeed Robert Atherholt as professor of oboe at Rice’s Shepherd School of Music

The Shepherd School of Music at Rice is proud to announce the appointment of Erin Hannigan as its new professor of oboe, starting July 1, 2025.

New developmental psychology resource available from OpenStax

OpenStax, the world’s largest publisher of open educational resources based at Rice, announces the publication of the latest title in its social sciences collection, “Lifespan Development.” This resource is free to anyone interested in learning, upskilling, reskilling or refining their knowledge of developmental psychology.

Rice launches RBL LLC to rapidly create biotech startups focused on delivering breakthrough therapies to patients

Rice has launched RBL LLC, a pioneering biotech venture creation studio designed to rapidly build companies based on lifesaving medical technologies developed out of the Rice Biotech Launch Pad.

Hospital price increases since 2000 outpaced inflation by more than double, Baker Institute report says

Hospital service prices surged more than 220% between 2000 and 2022, according to a report from Rice’s Baker Institute for Public Policy. While hospitals attribute rising prices to increased operating costs — particularly due to labor shortages from the pandemic — evidence shows that hospital prices have consistently risen faster than other medical services since 2006, according to the authors.

The Ion adds new partners Oxy, Fathom Fund and Activate

Rice University and the Rice Real Estate Company are proud to announce new partnerships with Occidental Petroleum Corp. (Oxy), Fathom Fund and Activate, marking a major milestone as the Ion is now 90% leased. These new leases highlight the Ion’s growing role as a premier destination for partners dedicated to empowering startups and fostering technological innovation in Houston’s thriving Midtown district.

Event to showcase AI-powered robots and technologies for space exploration Nov. 4-5

Rice’s Office of Innovation, in partnership with NASA, Purdue University and the Ion District, will host the In-Space Physical AI Workshop Nov. 4-5.

Majority of Harris County residents plan to vote in November, but many fear political unrest after Election Day

Six in 10 eligible voters in Harris County plan to participate in the November 2024 election.

Rice experts available to discuss space exploration and related topics

Rice’s faculty are ready to offer their expertise in solar physics, space weather, astronaut training, Mars exploration and space robotics, among other areas.

2024 athletic programs report now available

Copies of Rice’s 2024 “Report on Men’s and Women’s Intercollegiate Athletic Programs” are now available from the Office of the Director of Athletics at 713-348-4077.