Rice President Reginald DesRoches welcomed seniors to his home Dec. 6 for the university’s annual Senior Holiday Celebration, a festive tradition that brings the class together before they head into their final semester.
His home was warmly decorated for the season, with lights, greenery and thoughtful details throughout the space. A DJ kept the energy high as students mingled, danced and warmed up with hot cocoa, adding to the lively, celebratory atmosphere.
For computer science major Francesca Nemati, the evening offered a rare moment to reconnect with friends and classmates all in one place.
“I thought it was a great opportunity to see people I know, be with my class and get to speak with President DesRoches,” Nemati said. “It feels special to be here.”
Nemati, who first visited the president’s home during a smaller event two years ago, said she appreciates how approachable DesRoches is. “He does a really good job of connecting with students and being present with the student body,” she said.
Senior astrophysics major Christopher Blackburn agreed that the celebration reflects the president’s generosity.
“It’s really cool that President DesRoches opens his home to the undergraduate population,” he said. Blackburn added that he enjoyed reconnecting with classmates he hadn’t seen since freshman year and described the gathering as a meaningful, polished sendoff for the class.
“Everything is amazingly fancy — way more than I’d expect from a reception for college students,” he said.
