From campus classrooms to commencement stage: Rice faculty, staff celebrate their own graduates
As more than 1,360 students crossed the stage at Rice during the university’s largest undergraduate commencement ceremony in history, the celebration at Rice Stadium was especially personal for a number of faculty and staff members watching from the stands — and in several cases, standing on stage to hand their own children a diploma.
Rice celebrated its 113th undergraduate commencement ceremony on May 9, conferring 1,367 undergraduate degrees.
Rice conferred 270 doctoral degrees during its 113th commencement May 9 at Tudor Fieldhouse. Doctoral candidates along with friends, family and loved ones gathered for the ceremony, which included the awarding of doctoral regalia and dissertation titles, congratulatory remarks, cheers and a few moments to reflect on this milestone.
‘So much love and gratitude in my heart’: Rice celebrates advanced degree graduates
Nearly 900 advanced degree recipients were celebrated May 9 as Owls walked across the stage at Tudor Fieldhouse to roars of applause and cheers, marking the culmination of their academic journeys at Rice University.
Rice to celebrate largest graduating class ever during weekend commencement ceremonies
Rice will confer degrees upon 3,066 graduates — the most in the university’s history — during its 113th commencement ceremonies May 8-9.
Bestselling author, educator John Green to deliver Rice’s undergraduate commencement address May 9
John Green, the No. 1 New York Times bestselling author, influential educator and global YouTube phenomenon, will serve as the speaker for Rice's 113th undergraduate commencement ceremony at 7 p.m. May 9 at Rice Stadium.
Discipline, ambition and responsibility: More than 500 degrees conferred at December commencement
The newest parliament of Owl graduates celebrated a major step in their educational journey during Rice’s December 2025 commencement ceremony, held in Tudor Fieldhouse Dec. 9. The event included 116 bachelor’s degrees, 397 master’s degrees and 65 doctoral degrees conferred among the new graduates.
As Rice prepares to celebrate commencement Dec. 9, members of the graduating class are looking back on the moments, mentors and experiences that shaped their time on South Main.
When Rice feels like family: 2 deans, 2 daughters, an unforgettable commencement
It’s not every year that commencement features school deans wearing two hats — as academic leaders and as proud parents. Rice celebrated a rare and heartfelt milestone when two graduating seniors received their diplomas from their own parents.
A night to remember: Rice celebrates the undergraduate Class of 2025
Rice conferred more than 2,900 degrees to its newest graduates — the most in the university’s history — during its 112th commencement weekend held May 9-10.
Rice will celebrate almost 3,000 graduates during commencement ceremonies
Rice will congratulate almost 3,000 students who have dutifully earned their college diplomas during commencement weekend May 9-10. For more information, including updates to the policies and procedures for commencement events, please visit the Rice commencement website.
Rice announces Dr. Huda Zoghbi as commencement speaker for 112th ceremony
Dr. Huda Zoghbi, an internationally renowned neurogeneticist and pioneer in the field of brain research, will serve as the speaker at Rice’s 112th commencement ceremony May 10 at Rice Stadium.
New Rice graduates ‘shoot for the stars’ as over 500 degrees are conferred at December commencement
The newest parliament of Owl graduates celebrated a major step in their educational journey during Rice’s December 2024 commencement ceremony, held in Tudor Fieldhouse today. More than 500 degrees were conferred this semester.
Over 500 students will conclude their academic journeys as Rice Owls when they walk during the December commencement ceremony Dec. 10.
Tenneys enjoy special family moment at Rice commencement
David Tenney stood onstage at Rice Stadium Saturday, handing out diplomas to graduating students one by one. Rice’s undergraduate commencement ceremony is an event he knows well, having not only received his degree from Rice in 1987 but also having worked as the university’s registrar for two decades. But this time was different. A special moment he’d been waiting for was finally here: His son Jonathan Tenney was among the graduates.
