It’s not every year that commencement features school deans wearing two hats — as academic leaders and as proud parents. Rice University celebrated a rare and heartfelt milestone May 10, when two graduating seniors — both daughters of deans and both named Eleanor — received their diplomas from their own parents during the undergraduate ceremony at Rice Stadium.
For Rachel Kimbro, dean of the School of Social Sciences, and Matthew Loden, dean of the Shepherd School of Music, the moment marks a convergence of personal and professional pride. It is a full-circle celebration at an institution that has shaped not only their careers, but now, their families.
Rachel and Eleanor Kimbro
Kimbro, a Rice alumna along with her husband, celebrated their daughter, Eleanor Kimbro, as she graduated with a degree in bioengineering.
“As a Rice alumna, professor and now dean, it’s incredibly meaningful to watch Eleanor reach this milestone at the same university that shaped my own academic journey,” Kimbro said. “She’s carved out her own experience here, and I’m so proud of how much she’s grown.”
Eleanor, who plans to attend Johns Hopkins University for graduate school in the fall, said that despite her mom’s prominent role on campus, she’s had a typical student experience.
“Being in engineering has meant our circles didn’t unintentionally overlap often,” she said. “I think I’ve had a normal undergrad experience. But I’ve appreciated her being so close. She was able to make it to all of my competitions and presentations for capstone design this year, which was really fun.”
Eleanor’s connection to Rice began long before college applications. But her decision to attend the university was driven by academic opportunity, not family legacy.
“It was really a no-brainer to apply,” she said. “I was excited by the opportunities to work with the Texas Medical Center and Rice360, and I knew the engineering faculty here were going to be great. Being close to family was a bonus.”
She found her footing early through Rice360’s global health initiatives, where she became immersed in hands-on engineering work with real-world impact.
“That became a piece of my Rice experience that was totally my own,” she said. “I quickly fell in love with the global health community on campus, and that was a space I could explore independently.”
For Kimbro, watching Eleanor grow through those experiences has been especially rewarding.
“I see her tackling problems that matter and doing so with clarity and compassion,” she said. “It’s everything I could have hoped for in her undergraduate experience.”
Eleanor credits her mom with encouraging her to stretch beyond her comfort zone when it came time to choose a graduate program.
“She’s always emphasized the importance of expanding my professional and social networks,” Eleanor said. “When I was deciding whether to stay at Rice or go elsewhere, she pushed me to make the choice that would allow me to grow. I’m really grateful for that.”
Matthew and Eleanor Loden
Graduating from Rice means Eleanor Loden had to say goodbye not just to her professors and classmates, but also to the campus she’s shared for the past several years with someone a little more familiar: her dad.
“It’s a really unique experience to be carving out my own journey while having my dad nearby,” said Eleanor, who transferred to Rice from Barnard College her sophomore year, earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology in December and received her diploma Saturday evening. “I’ve been able to pop into his office just to say hi, ask for advice or share a small moment during a busy day.”
Eleanor is also a fourth-generation Rice graduate. Her mother Kristen Baker Loden ’90, great aunt Lynne Baker Dedmon, great uncle Charles B. Dedmon, grandfather Fred T. Baker and great-grandfather Campbell Carothers Sr. all attended the university. Her father Matthew Loden, the dean of the Shepherd School of Music, has been both a guiding presence and a quiet observer as his daughter made Rice her own.
“Good leadership often comes down to knowing when to get out of the way so others can independently thrive, so my ‘job’ has been to keep a low profile and be a dad, not a dean for our daughter,” Matthew said. “It’s been incredible to watch Eleanor navigate the myriad opportunities Rice has provided, and seeing how our campus works from the perspective of a parent has been invaluable learning for my day job.”
The Lodens arrived at Rice around the same time, and while they kept to separate spheres, their paths intersected in ways both funny and meaningful.
“My dad and I developed a perfect rhythm to our coexistence on campus — complete with coordinated updates so as to not surprise each other by infiltrating the other person’s side of the campus,” Eleanor said. “Some of my favorite memories involve my friends sending me ‘Matthew sightings’ — photos of the back of my dad’s head walking through campus.”
“It’s been a blast and often hilarious to bump into each other and watch her try to figure out if she should give me a hug or play it cool because we’d be seen,” Matthew said.
They found small, shared joys in concert halls, campus traditions and midday coffee breaks. But beyond those moments, it’s clear how deeply they admire one another.
“We are so proud of your myriad accomplishments and your intelligent, empathetic and wholly Eleanor ways of navigating the world,” Matthew said to Eleanor. “Thanks for so generously sharing your unconventional wisdom with us.”
“Rice has given me the space to grow, to explore widely and to find people who challenge and support me,” Eleanor said. “I’ll carry those values with me wherever I go next.”
Eleanor is already putting her Rice education to work as an associate at Evergreen Strategy Group, a policy and communications firm.