“Welcome to Rice!” Rice University President Reginald DesRoches exclaimed at the Aug. 18 matriculation ceremony for the Class of 2028. After spending the day helping the new class of freshmen move into its residential colleges, DesRoches and university leadership celebrated the new students’ official entry into Rice at Tudor Fieldhouse to share their advice and support for the upcoming years.
Bridget Gorman, dean of undergraduates, urged the new Owls to explore all Rice has to offer with advice from current Rice students.
“You are now a member of an incredibly varied place filled with people from a wide range of backgrounds and locations to socialize and learn from, and an array of courses and cocurricular opportunities to choose from as you navigate your path through Rice,” Gorman said. “Do not underestimate the unexpected value of trying new things that come your way.
“‘Take a class that just fires your curiosity, or join a club that aligns with a passion area,’ quoting from your peers. Doing this can have profound ripple effects on your Rice experience in truly transformative ways. Everyone’s journey is their own, and you may discover your life’s passion where you least expect it.”
The students entered Tudor Fieldhouse with their residential college peers — led by their tireless O-Week advisors — and afterward proceeded down the campus’s inner loop as a group to partake in one of Rice’s oldest traditions: entering the Sallyport, — the iconic arch in Rice’s oldest building, Lovett Hall. Incoming students march through the port into the campus with their residential college on matriculation day and do not cross back through the port until they receive their diploma.
“Matriculation is a perfect example of the individual attention you will get at Rice,” DesRoches said in his speech. “Walking through the Sallyport signifies much more than beginning your studies, it represents becoming part of a larger community — the Rice community.”
The residential college system is a special aspect of Rice’s culture of care and exists to help students build close connections and lifelong friendships, DesRoches said. These communities support students intellectually, emotionally and culturally through social events, intramural sports, student plays, lecture series, courses and student government.
DesRoches highlighted the diversity of the incoming class: The students represent 46 states and two U.S. territories, 29% were from underrepresented minority groups and another 14% were international students representing more than 42 countries.
“Our differences in experiences, background, cultures, religions and more are not just tolerated, they are celebrated as a core strength of our institution,” he said.
Alumnus Tawfik Jarjour ’12 spoke on behalf of the Association of Rice Alumni and shared his takeaway from his Rice experience.
“Let me tell you, one of the best parts about being at Rice is the friendships that you’ll make,” Jarjour said. “These aren’t just people that you’ll be cramming for exams with at ‘Club Fondren’ or celebrating Beer Bike with, these are your new Rice family.”
Jarjour, who now leads consumer and enterprise tech at Accenture Strategy, continued with the theme of community and encouraged the incoming students to dive into all the university has to offer.
“For me, Rice wasn’t just about the education, it was about the experiences in the community that inspired me to give back,” he said. “Whether I was teaching a networking class or sitting on the University Council, each opportunity deepened my love for this place. As you dive into your own Rice experience, I encourage you to find your passion and give back. Maybe you’ll volunteer, join a student group or even start something new. Whatever it is, contribute to our community in your own unique way.”
Rice’s women’s soccer team wanted to surprise its freshman teammates and welcomed the new Owls with signs and cheers as they made their way through the port.
“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. “It kind of goes down into the generations, and it was just super cool to experience it with new friends, new people. And at the end, I got surprised by my team with a sign. It kind of made it even more special having those girls support me with new friends that I’ve made throughout this whole process. It’s been super fun.”
Freshman Anthony Ortiz Ramirez from Dallas, Texas, who has been working construction with his father since age 15, shared how his personal experience will motivate his Rice career as a first-generation student.
“I want to do mechanical engineering, and I really want to get into the construction management side of it,” Ramirez said. “If I managed to do that, not only would it be a dream come true to me but to my dad.
“I’m going with full confidence, no fears. Just knowing I have all the support that I need — not only from my parents but from the staff here, my friends, the new ones that I’ve made, and I know I’ll be just fine here.”
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