Owls embrace Lone Star spirit on Go Texan Day
Rice students, faculty and staff brought Rice Blue Friday and Texas pride together Feb. 27 as the campus celebrated Go Texan Day in true Houston fashion. The annual tradition, which coincides with the start of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, transformed the Academic Quad into a spirited gathering of cowboy boots, hats and Rice blue.
Rice students to shine at Moody Fest April 24
Rice is continuing a tradition that marks an eagerly anticipated moment of the year — the last day of classes. Owls will celebrate the spring term’s closing with a free, high-energy outdoor festival featuring the talents of Rice’s student performing groups.
Pride, Not Prejudice: Rice celebrates Pride Week March 2-7
Rice will celebrate joy, resilience and community during its annual Pride Week, a campuswide tradition dedicated to highlighting and supporting the LGBTQ+ community. This year’s theme, Pride, Not Prejudice, was chosen to honor the history of the LGBTQ+ movement while raising awareness about issues that continue to impact the community’s lives today.
City controller recognizes DesRoches during Black History Month
Rice President Reginald DesRoches was honored with a Community Trailblazer Award Feb. 19 by the city of Houston’s controller Chris Hollins during his office’s annual celebration of Black History Month. The ceremony, emceed by local news veteran Melanie Lawson, took place at City Hall in front of more than 200 attendees.
Welcoming the ‘Year of the Horse’ at Rice’s Chinese New Year Gala
Rice students gathered Feb. 14 to celebrate the Lunar New Year at a festive Chinese New Year Gala hosted by the Rice Chinese Students and Scholars Association. The event honored the traditions of the Spring Festival, also known as the Lunar New Year, which marks the transition from the old lunar year to the new and is widely celebrated in China and across Asian communities around the world.
Black History Month Kickoff celebrates community, remembrance
Rice launched Black History Month Feb. 2 with a powerful and celebratory showcase at the Rice Memorial Center’s Grand Hall that drew a crowd of more than 300 students, alumni, faculty, staff and community members. The evening honored Black history, culture and excellence through music, dance, poetry and reflection.
Mega Shabbat fosters warmth, tradition, community
The annual Mega Shabbat, hosted by Chabad at Rice, transformed the Grand Hall of the Rice Memorial Center into something far more than a dining space; it became a living expression of Jewish warmth, resilience and togetherness. Students and employees gathered for an evening that celebrated not only Shabbat (the Jewish day of rest and celebration that begins Friday before sunset), but the enduring power of community and shared tradition.
Rice to commemorate 100 years of Black History Month with series of events
Rice will celebrate Black History Month starting Feb. 1 and lasting into March, observing the month’s 100-year anniversary with a series of discussions, fellowship opportunities and special festivities highlighting the richness of Black culture.
Rice to celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day and his legacy with vigil, parade participation
Rice invites the community to join in celebrating Martin Luther King Jr. Day during two events honoring his life and legacy.
‘Making a difference does not have to wait’: Rice freshman’s nonprofit tackles child literacy
Lucia Noto, a Rice freshman, is founder and CEO of a nonprofit organization that supports literacy and promotes reading among children with health challenges and from underserved communities.
RUPD’s ‘Operation Blue Santa’ benefits 14 families
The Rice Police Department partnered with the Children’s Assessment Center to sponsor 14 families for its 13th annual Operation Blue Santa. All donated items were wrapped and hand delivered Dec. 18.
Chabad at Rice celebrates Hanukkah, Festival of Lights
Chabad at Rice welcomed members of the Rice community to a precelebration of Hanukkah Dec. 7. Students, faculty and staff packed into the Ray Courtyard to enjoy latkes, donuts and music and hear from President Reginald DesRoches.
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.
Service and celebration: REMS marks November with blood drive, Collegiate EMS Week
REMS wrapped an active November which included both a blood drive in coordination with the Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center and the annual Collegiate EMS Week.
A legacy in loaves: Chabad hosts annual Mega Challah Bake
Chabad at Rice’s co-directors Rabbi Shmuli and Nechama Slonim recently welcomed students for the third annual Mega Challah Bake. It was a night of flour-dusted hands, spirited games and a deeper look at the meaning behind one of Judaism’s most beloved foods.
