A parliament of Owl alumni and friends recently gathered at The Revaire to celebrate the achievements, dedication and impact of Rice University’s alumni at the Association of Rice Alumni’s annual Laureates Awards Dinner. The association’s president David Leal ’03 welcomed the more than 200 alumni and friends to kick off the event.
“This is truly one of my favorite events of the year,” Leal said. “There’s something about walking into a room like this that makes it feel special: familiar faces, new conversations and that unmistakable feeling that only comes from being surrounded by people who share a deep love for Rice. We are so grateful for the incredible turnout with people who have traveled from across the country and indeed from around the world to be here. That kind of commitment doesn’t happen everywhere. It happens because Rice means something to all of us.”
Rice President Reginald DesRoches addressed the gathering and reflected on the strength of the alumni community. “What an incredible group of role models our students have in their alumni community,” he said. “This evening is a perfect example of just how dedicated, passionate and accomplished our alumni are, both in service to Rice and in their personal and professional lives.”
The Laureates Awards Program was created by the Association of Rice Alumni in 1937 to recognize highly distinguished individuals for extraordinary achievements and contributions to their professions, local communities and the university. Every year, three major award categories celebrate outstanding Rice alumni and friends of the university, including the Meritorious Service Award , the Distinguished Alumni Award and the Gold Medal , the highest possible honor for service to the university.
The ceremony honored six people who exemplified excellence in their endeavors since graduating from Rice.
Gold Medal recipient Mark S. Scheid: Professor, administrator and groundbreaker
Mark S. Scheid ’67 ’72 was honored with the Gold Medal Award, recognizing his outstanding service in promoting the ideals of the university, deep dedication to and advancement of academic excellence and uncommon generosity of time and means in support of Rice.
The award was presented by David Mansouri ’07, the 2026 Laureates committee chair and immediate past president of ARA, who provided his remarks for the evening’s highest honor.
“Whether navigating institutional challenges, shaping international policy or sitting across a student figuring out their future, Mark consistently brought the same rare combination of vision, dedication and genuine care that defines the very best of Rice,” Mansouri said, highlighting Schied’s reputation as a mentor.
“None of us arrives anywhere alone. We’re carried by teachers who took us seriously before we deserved it, mentors who opened doors we didn’t yet know how to knock on and classmates who challenged us, supported us and helped shape who we became.”
Scheid, who earned his bachelor’s and doctorate degrees from Rice and is the parent of two Rice graduates, served in multiple roles over his career at the university, including as visiting professor, director of academic advising, assistant vice president of student affairs and executive director of international programs and assistant to the president under both Malcolm Gillis and David Leebron. In each role, he was known for his humor, integrity, loyalty and mentorship.
Beyond the hedges, Scheid is widely recognized as a driving force behind Rice’s emergence as a global university. Cheryl Matherly, a former colleague at Rice who is now the vice president and vice provost of international affairs at Lehigh University, highlighted his pioneering influence.
“It was a period in which study abroad was just starting to grow, and Rice was doing some extraordinary innovative work, things like the summer work abroad program, the international engineering internship program and the NSF-funded NanoJapan program,” she said. “No one else was doing this kind of work.”
One of Scheid’s signature achievements was the creation of the Forum on Education Abroad , an organization that sets standards for quality, ethics and professional practice in study abroad programs.
As Matherly noted, “One of Mark’s legacies was that he created a culture in which Rice grew beyond a school for smart kids at Texas to really being one that had impact and influence around the world.”
Distinguished Alumni Awardees
David M. Eagleman
An author, entrepreneur and one of the world’s foremost neuroscientists, David M. Eagleman ’93 is renowned for his groundbreaking research and his ability to bring neuroscience to global audiences.
“As teachers, we are driven to explore how to nurture creativity in the classroom,” said composer and professor Anthony Brandt, who co-authored “The Runaway Species: How Human Creativity Remakes the World” with Eagleman. “David has a rare gift for bridging disciplines — music, literature and neuroscience — and showing how one illuminates the others.”
After earning a bachelor’s degree in British and American literature, Eagleman earned his doctorate in neuroscience from Baylor College of Medicine, directed a lab there for more than a decade and currently teaches neuroscience at Stanford University. His research spans brain plasticity, time perception, the mysteries of the senses and neurolaw.
“David’s curiosity is matched by his inventiveness,” said Richard Baraniuk, Rice’s C. Sidney Burrus Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering and founder of OpenStax. “He holds 28 patents in haptics, sensory substitution and cognitive assessment systems. I witnessed firsthand when he developed a vibrotactile vest to help deaf individuals perceive sound, a powerful example of science improving lives.”
A New York Times bestselling author, Eagleman has reached millions through his books, podcast “Inner Cosmos” and Emmy-nominated PBS series “The Brain with David Eagleman.”
“David is charting new terrain,” said Luay Nakhleh, dean of the George R. Brown School of Engineering and Computing. “He truly exemplifies what it means to be a Rice Owl — advancing knowledge while inspiring bold thinking about the brain and the human experience.”
Caroline A. Shaw
One of the most celebrated and sought-after artists of her generation, Caroline A. Shaw ’04 exemplifies artistic excellence, innovation and creative leadership across genres.
In 2013 at just 30, Shaw became the youngest recipient of the Pulitzer Prize for music for her groundbreaking “Partita,” a work that reimagined vocal composition and established her as a leading voice in contemporary classical music. She has since become one of the most commissioned and performed composers of her generation, blending classical tradition with popular and film influences.
“When Caroline arrived at Rice as a freshman violin major in my studio, she was already an extraordinary musician, but it quickly became clear that her artistic interests reached far beyond the violin,” said Kathleen Winkler, professor of classical violin. “She was drawn to art, literature, pop culture, architecture and vocalization. These are all influences that shape the innovative music she creates today.”
The recording academy recognized her talent. With five Grammy Awards and performances at venues such as the Lincoln Center, Shaw’s résumé reflects global impact and artistic range.
“Her career is an inspiration to future generations: a powerful example of what can grow from talent, curiosity and a Shepherd School education,” said Matthew Loden, dean of the Shepherd School of Music.
R. Stanley Williams
From pioneering nanoelectronic technologies to redefining how future computers can function, R. Stanley “Stan” Williams ’74 has built a career marked by transformative scientific achievement and visionary leadership across industry and academia.
“Stan’s achievements are extraordinary,” said Thomas Killian, dean of the Wiess School of Natural Sciences. “He has published more than 500 papers across physics, chemistry and engineering. He holds more than 400 patents that have transformed applied physics and nanotechnology. He is recognized as one of the most influential applied physicists of his generation.”
Williams earned his bachelor’s degree in chemical physics in 1974 and completed his master’s and doctorate degrees in chemistry at the University of California, Berkeley in 1978. He began his career at AT&T Bell Laboratories and later spent 15 years as a professor of chemistry at the University of California, Los Angeles before joining Hewlett-Packard in 1995.
“Stan led the team that built Teramac in the 1990s, a defect-tolerant, massively parallel computer, and in 2008 he helped demonstrate the first practical memristor,” explained James Tour, the T.T. and W.F. Chao Professor of Chemistry. “These breakthroughs have fundamentally reshaped computing and data storage.”
A devoted alumnus, Williams credits Rice for igniting his passion for science and continues to pay it forward to his students. Rice alumnus Kristjan Stone noted that “Stan continues to mentor the next generation of scientists while advancing research in nanotechnology and neuromorphic computing, work that holds tremendous promise for the future of artificial intelligence.”
Meritorious Service Awardees
Ed K. Biegert
Ed K. Biegert ’74, ’76, ’77, a world-renowned geoscientist, has leveraged his career and connections to foster excellence at Rice and expand opportunities for students and faculty.
“Ed’s connection to Rice is rooted in generosity, curiosity and a genuine love for the community,” said Beverly Bian ’04. “He has spent decades giving back through his time seeking programs across the natural sciences and beyond. As an internationally recognized geophysicist, Biegert brings both deep expertise and a genuine desire to help students succeed. He has supported generations of students through fellowships and mentorships, opening doors and offering encouragement every step of the way.”
Motivated to give back to his alma mater, Biegert has devoted decades of service across schools, departments and programs. His guidance has increased Rice’s visibility among energy companies and helped students secure internships and jobs. A generous philanthropist, Biegert and his wife Cathleen Trechter ’77 have endowed fellowships and research programs supporting graduate and undergraduate students in physics and Earth science.
“I’ve seen firsthand how he has strengthened programs at every level and inspired students and faculty to pursue new possibilities,” Killian said. “His lifelong commitment to Rice reflects the power of giving back, mentoring and leading with both generosity and heart.”
Michael D. Maher
Michael D. Maher ’75 ’79 ’80 has demonstrated extraordinary dedication to the university, investing his time, expertise and resources to advance student success and strengthen Rice’s programs.
“Michael has devoted himself to supporting students, strengthening academic programs and building lasting connections across Rice,” said Brandi Bridges ’07. “He is a tireless mentor and advocate constantly creating opportunities for students and alumni to grow and succeed. Whether recommending future leaders, connecting students to career pathways or offering thoughtful guidance, he has a unique ability to bring people together with purpose.”
Maher has served the university’s community in numerous leadership roles. He was founding chair of the Alumni Advisory Board for the School of Social Sciences, served on the Association of Rice Alumni board and since 2022 has served on the board of affiliates for the Master of Energy Economics and Master of Global Affairs programs. For a decade, he was a community associate for Martel College, and in 2013 he helped create the advisory board for the Center for Career Development, serving as its inaugural chair.
“To know Michael is to know his willingness to step in wherever he is needed,” said Nicole Van Den Heuvel, executive director for the center. “In all of his roles, Michael has consistently gone above and beyond, quietly and effectively serving the Rice community with a singular focus on helping others succeed.”
To see videos filmed for each awardee, visit ARA’s YouTube page here .
