The latest graduates from Rice University’s Jesse H. Jones Graduate School of Business were awarded their Master of Business Administration degrees on May 8 at Tudor Fieldhouse in front of a crowd of loved ones, faculty, staff and students.
“Today marks the graduation of Rice Business’ 49th graduating class,” said George Andrews, associate dean of degree programs. “We honor the countless hours and team meetings, cases, presentations, papers and exams, the hard work, dedication and discipline required to earn this degree.”
When President Reginald DesRoches stepped to the lectern to confer the degrees, he made sure to take a moment to recognize that earning a degree often includes support from family and friends. He asked the graduates to rise and applaud their families as well as turn to their classmates for a last thank you.
Rice Business provides more than just the knowledge to master finance, strategy and operations — through their classwork and community, graduates have honed leadership skills such as resilience, collaboration, adaptability and ethical judgment.
“You’ve been shaped by a program that values not just what you know but how you lead — thoughtfully, ethically and with a clear sense of purpose,” DesRoches said. “You work through real world challenges, engage with Houston’s dynamic business ecosystem and learn what it means to lead in the global, fast-moving economy.
“Stay curious, be courageous, say yes to the hard things. That’s where growth happens.”
The MBA graduates join a global Rice alumni community of more than 68,000 leaders, innovators and entrepreneurs who are ready to support fellow Owls, DesRoches said.
Nicole Pellegrino, assistant dean of academic programs and student experience, honored students who took on extra challenges during their time in McNair Hall, including graduates who led the signature student-run initiatives, competitions and programs like the Entrepreneurship Through Acquisition conference, the Rice Energy Finance Summit, the Women in Leadership Conference, the Veterans Business Battle, the Rice Business Energy Case Competition, the Rice Business Healthcare Conference and Rice Business Board Fellows. These leaders wore a graduation stole commemorating their leadership of these programs.
Every Rice MBA commencement includes the M.A. Wright Awards, named for Mike Wright, former chairman of Cameron Iron Works and the first chairman of the Rice Business Board of Advisers. This prestigious award is determined based on nominations from members of the graduating class for the student who best models “leadership, exemplary service and significant contributions to the Jones Graduate School of Business.”
2026 M.A. Wright Awards
- Full-time MBA: Caroline Metts
- MBA for executives: Mohamed Elsayed
- MBA for professionals (evening): Rishi Sohoni
- MBA for professionals (weekend): Moises Mendoza
- MBA@Rice: David McCampbell
- Hybrid MBA: Julija Dobrila
Each year, the students also get a chance to honor faculty who made a difference in their learning experience. Each of the six programs select a recipient for a teaching excellence award — these awards are especially meaningful to faculty because they are selected by their own graduating students, said James Weston, senior associate dean of degree programs.
2026 Teaching Excellence Awards
- Full-time MBA: Brian Akins
- MBA for executives: James Hackett
- MBA for professionals (evening): Petrus Ferreira
- MBA for professionals (weekend): Prashant Kale
- MBA@Rice: Maura Claire Harford
- Hybrid MBA: Bruce Carlin
A final teaching award is chosen by alumni who graduated two and five years ago.
- 2026 Alumni Teaching Excellence Award: Al Danto
Rice Business Dean Peter Rodriguez took the podium to introduce the keynote speaker, alumnus and CEO of NRG Energy Robert Gaudette (’01).
“Robert’s connection to Rice Business has remained strong for more than a decade,” Rodriguez said. “He has returned to campus innumerable times as a speaker, mentor, a thought partner and a friend for many students. Colleagues describe him as a people-first leader who listens, sets clear direction, brings teams together and leaves them with accountability and respect. For our graduates, Robert is a powerful example of the kind of leadership we hope a Rice Business education inspires: principle, practical, resilient and ready to meet consequential challenges.”
Gaudette shared his career journey and lessons he learned along the way. Careers are rarely as logical and linear as they look at the start, he said.
“We like to think that progress unfolds in a predictable sequence, school, job, promotion, next job, next promotion. The reality is that careers are more about the detours — the next one we take might not be the obvious one. It’s said that life can only be understood by looking backwards.”
Gaudette landed at NRG through a merger and an acquisition and was eventually asked to lead part of the retail business — a curveball for him and his professional experience, Gaudette said. The challenge provided a new perspective.
“We’re not just managing assets, we’re not just trading supply,” he said. “What we do every day has real impact on the real lives of the people we serve and the well-being of our communities. Without that outlook, without that perspective, I likely wouldn’t be speaking to you right now (as CEO). So, when your carefully crafted career plan takes an unexpected turn, don’t be too quick to dismiss the role. The role that looks like a detour may be the one that gives you the perspective you’ll need the most later on.”
View the entire May 2026 graduation ceremony below and learn more about Rice Business programs. Share your photos from the event using the tag #RiceGrad26.