Empowered Campus Culture

2024 Rice wrap: A look back on a year of ‘transformative growth’

Rice concluded the year on a high note, celebrating a year of transformative growth, achievements and community spirit.

Rice celebrates Indigenous cultures during National Native American Heritage Month

Rice’s Native American Student Association hosted an Indigenous cultural celebration involving dancing, music, food, beading, crafts and storytelling Nov. 22 at Farnsworth Pavilion as part of National Native American Heritage Month.

Rice celebrates first Southeast Asian and Pacific Islander Night

The Rice community joined together at the grassy knoll outside the Memorial Student Center and Brochstein Pavilion to celebrate Rice’s first Southeast Asian and Pacific Islander Night Nov. 8. More than 800 people took in an evening of entertainment, fellowship and food and beverages from local businesses operated by people with SEAPI heritage. The evening was a collaboration between the Rice Vietnamese Student Association, Rice Filipino Student Association and Rice Southeast Asians United at Rice.

‘Legacy of service’: Rice honors veterans at 21st annual ceremony

Faculty, staff and students gathered at Rice’s Memorial Chapel Nov. 11 to honor members of the university community who have served in the military. The gathering marked Rice’s 21st anniversary for the annual Veterans Day Ceremony, featuring performances, guest speakers and recognition for service.

Alumni Weekend highlights Rice’s growth, alumni success

Rice’s Alumni Weekend welcomed alumni, students, faculty, staff and the community for a weekend of festivities, fellowship and football Nov. 1-2. Part Homecoming and part class reunion, Owls reconnected and contemplated the past, present and future of the beloved institution.

Rice Vietnamese Student Association welcomes high school students for college leadership workshop

Rice’s Vietnamese Student Association hosted its 22nd annual college leadership workshop Oct. 19. The one-day event aims to equip high school students in the Houston area with resources to prepare them for the college application process.

Scientia lectures explore challenges to US democracy

Democracy and threats to it were front and center as the Rice Scientia Institute hosted its first event of the fall semester Oct. 24.

Alumni Weekend brings Owls together for 48 hours of celebrations

Rice will welcome alumni, students, faculty, staff and the community for Rice Alumni Weekend Nov. 1-2. Part homecoming and part class reunion, the 48 hours is packed with activities when Owls from across the world will return to campus to reconnect with old friends, relive cherished moments and rediscover what makes Rice extraordinary.

Students prep for careers in politics and public service in fall course offerings from Rice Social Sciences

A variety of distinctive political science courses this semester provides students a unique opportunity to explore careers in public service, experience life on the campaign trail and examine the dynamics of the 2024 election.

Rice Black student leaders mentor, build community with local high school students

Student leaders from Rice’s Black Male Association (RBMA) hosted an opening day event Sept. 14 to welcome local Black, male high schoolers and their parents to campus and introduce a new student-led mentorship program. The RBMA — built upon the principles of service, leadership and brotherhood — aims to mobilize the voices of Black men at Rice and build bridges between RBMA and Houston as well as catalyze change in the greater Houston community.

Nuestra Herencia: A vibrant celebration of Latine Heritage Month at Rice

Rice celebrated Hispanic Heritage Month Sept. 29 with a vibrant afternoon of music and dance at the Rice Memorial Center’s Grand Hall. The event, titled Nuestra Herencia — meaning "Our Heritage" — showcased lively performances from Rice Salseros, Rice Zouk, Los Buhos del Norte, the Academy of Folklore and Latin Rhythms and Mariachi Luna Llena.

Momentous: Personalized Scale for Global Impact: Rice unveils new strategic plan

Under the leadership of President Reginald DesRoches, Rice has unveiled a new strategic plan to become the world’s premier teaching and research university by delivering unparalleled personalized education and propelling breakthrough discoveries to transform lives and better humanity. Momentous: Personalized Scale for Global Impact serves as a road map for the next decade and reflects the collective contributions of the entire Rice community, capitalizing on the university’s size as a competitive advantage.

A family affair: Rice hosts fun, festivities and football for Families Weekend

Rice hosted Families Weekend Sept. 27-28, and over the course of the 48-hour period, parents, families and loved ones got an inside look at the unique Rice experience through engaging lectures, campus tours, a family tailgate for the Owls’ football game and much more.

‘A reminder of where we’ve come from and how far we can go’: New Fondren exhibit showcases Rice’s Hispanic history

Located on the first and third floors of Fondren Library is a rare collection of photos, documents and memorabilia of the Latine community at Rice since its inception, in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month.

Rice student’s Juneteenth poem celebrates legacy of Freedmen’s Town

Though she grew up in Houston’s Freedmen’s Town, Avalon Hogans didn’t start digging into the history of the area until she came to Rice.