On Sept. 14, Rice University debuts a new, state-of-the-art engineering and science research facility with a ceremony of dedication to Ralph S. O’Connor, which will take place between 3-4:30 p.m. in front of the building in the engineering quad.
The event is open to the public and will feature remarks by Reginald DesRoches, university president; Amy Dittmar, Rice provost; Thomas Killian, dean of the Wiess School of Natural Sciences; Robert Ladd, chair of the Rice Board of Trustees; and Luay Nakhleh, dean of the George R. Brown School of Engineering.
The Ralph S. O’Connor Building for Engineering and Science is designed with a deliberate focus on fostering collaboration in four key research areas: advanced materials, quantum science and computing, urban research and innovation, and the energy transition.
At 250,000 square feet, the O’Connor building is the largest research facility in the university’s historic core campus (second largest overall). The building design maximizes laboratory space and promotes interdisciplinary research and innovation through open, inviting collaboration spaces. The common areas feature a lobby and a café, and the top level boasts a multi-purpose event space and outdoor terrace with an iconic view of Rice campus and the city beyond.
The ceremony will be followed by a reception and tours of the building.
- Image downloads:
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https://news-network.rice.edu/news/files/2023/09/230613_OConnor-Building-Engineering-Science_Martin-11.jpg
CAPTION: Aerial shot of the Ralph S. O’Connor Building for Engineering and Science.
(Brandon Martin/Rice University)
https://news-network.rice.edu/news/files/2023/09/230613_OConnor-Building-Engineering-Science_Martin-16.jpg
CAPTION: Aerial shot of the Ralph S. O’Connor Building for Engineering and Science.
(Brandon Martin/Rice University) - Video:
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Video URL: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nVkW5dKf_78
(Video by Brandon Martin/Rice University)
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View from a terrace:
https://news.rice.edu/news/2023/view-terrace
Landmark new engineering and science building on campus to bear Ralph S. O’Connor's name:
https://news.rice.edu/news/2022/landmark-new-engineering-and-science-building-campus-bear-ralph-s-oconnors-name - Links:
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George R. Brown School of Engineering: https://engineering.rice.edu
Wiess School of Natural Sciences: https://naturalsciences.rice.edu/
- About Rice:
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Located on a 300-acre forested campus in Houston, Rice University is consistently ranked among the nation’s top 20 universities by U.S. News & World Report. Rice has highly respected schools of Architecture, Business, Continuing Studies, Engineering, Humanities, Music, Natural Sciences and Social Sciences and is home to the Baker Institute for Public Policy. With 4,552 undergraduates and 3,998 graduate students, Rice’s undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio is just under 6-to-1. Its residential college system builds close-knit communities and lifelong friendships, just one reason why Rice is ranked No. 1 for lots of race/class interaction and No. 4 for quality of life by the Princeton Review. Rice is also rated as a best value among private universities by Kiplinger’s Personal Finance.