Classes are now underway at Rice University, following a lively and action-packed week of welcoming and introducing students from the Class of 2028 to their new academic home.
This year’s orientation acclimated a diverse parliament of 1,163 Owls to the unique culture of Rice, with nearly one-third of the new students coming from historically excluded groups and 14% being international students hailing from 42 countries. The class also includes students from 46 U.S. states, including Washington D.C. and two territories.
“Over the past few days, we’ve enjoyed some of the best times of our lives,” said Emily Ramirez, a Martel College freshman from Georgia. “I’ve never had more fun, and I’ve never felt so welcomed by a group of people that I didn’t know just a few days ago. I’m looking forward to whatever else Rice has to bring for me and the Class of 2028.”
During a frenetic and emotional move-in day, the new students were enthusiastically greeted at their new residential colleges, where they made themselves at home after moving in their belongings with a little help from the football team.
“I never thought I would go to a school so far away, but I also feel so comfortable,” said Lexi Tarlue, an incoming freshman from Delaware, shortly after moving into Jones College.
“While it’s a great, exciting day, it’s also a stress-filled day with a lot of emotions,” said Mike Bloomgren, the Dunlevie Family Head Football Coach. “So if we can do anything to make the lift lighter mentally and physically for these new students and parents, that’s what we’re out here to do.”
Following a lively day of introductions, the group of eager new students then headed to Tudor Fieldhouse for the matriculation ceremony. After hearing from and being celebrated by university leadership, they proceeded down the campus’s inner loop to partake in one of Rice’s oldest traditions: entering the Sallyport — the iconic arch in Rice’s oldest building, Lovett Hall. The night culminated as fireworks lit up the sky over Lovett Hall and the Sallyport.
“I’ve always heard about the Sallyport tradition — a lot of my soccer girls told me about it and how special it was for the team,” said Lilly Reuscher, a freshman from Kansas City, Missouri, and member of the women’s soccer team. “It kind of goes down into the generations, and it was just super cool to experience it with new friends, new people.”
Early in the week, new students attended the annual faculty address and were welcomed by each of Rice’s academic schools based on areas of interest and study.
“Your time with us is designed to help develop strong critical thinking skills and your ability to engage and solve problems across the range of circumstances,” Senior Associate Dean of Undergraduates Brian Gibson said during the welcome. “Learning how to collaborate with others, how to work in diverse teams and develop an appreciation for global issues … these are examples of what we hope you’ll gain from your time with us. We aim to help you build a foundation of knowledge and skills for lifelong learning.”
The new scholars were also invited to the President’s Welcome Party, where Rice President Reginald DesRoches met with undergraduate students at Tudor Fieldhouse and graduate students at the BioScience Research Collaborative (BRC) building. In addition to mingling with DesRoches, the students got the chance to meet fellow classmates while enjoying music, games, food and fun.
The diversity of this new class was on full display throughout the week at events like Rice Connections, which offered students from different faith traditions, cultural backgrounds and more the opportunity to come together and meet their freshman peers. Representatives from the Black Student Association and Rice African Student Association, the Hispanic Association for Cultural Enrichment at Rice (HACER), Chabad at Rice, Houston Hillel, Muslim Student Association, Rice Pride and the Queer Resource Center welcomed incoming freshmen in small groups Aug. 21, engaging in a series of get-to-know-you icebreaker activities and informational sessions.
Rice’s Black Student Association and HACER also hosted receptions for new students Aug. 17.
Incoming students attended a number of information sessions, including presentations on diversity at Rice, health and safety, Rice’s academic honor code and tips for college well-being. After an academic fair where the new Owls learned about Rice’s programs of study, they packed into Tudor Fieldhouse for the annual Rice Rally and cheered on their student-athletes in a celebration of university athletics.
“I thought that was a really good way to appreciate the student-athletes,” Rylee Coyne, a transfer student from George Washington University and member of the women’s diving team, said after Rice Rally. “O-Week has shown me how integrated the whole student body is, which is definitely something I was looking for.”
Other O-Week events included associates’ dinners held within each college, where students met the Rice faculty, staff and alumni who have volunteered to serve as mentors.
Throughout the week, new students received academic advice from student volunteers and faculty advisers before registering for classes.
President DesRoches and Howard R. Hughes Provost Amy Dittmar also welcomed the 94 new members of Rice University’s faculty during Faculty Orientation.
This year’s O-Week came to a close with the annual Welcome Back Day Festival, where the students congregated to reflect on the week of fun and look forward to their bright futures here on South Main.