Empowered Campus Culture

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.

Moody X-Fest ’24 punctuates weekslong celebration of the Moody Experience at Rice

The Rice University community gathered for the second year in celebration of the Moody Foundation’s historic $100 million gift to the campus. More than 1,500 students flocked to Founder’s Court April 19 for Moody X-Fest ’24.

Students organize panel discussion about social movement activism for course’s final project

Under the guidance of Anthony Pinn, Rice University’s Agnes Cullen Arnold Distinguished Professor of Humanities and founding director of the Center for Engaged Research and Collaborative Learning (CERCL), students in Religion 216 spent the spring semester delving into the complex intersections of religion, politics and social justice, particularly within the context of the Black Lives Matter movement.

Rice Shepherd School composition student organizes benefit concert for hometown affected by Texas panhandle wildfire

When the largest wildfire in Texas history recently ravaged small towns and ranches in the Texas panhandle, Canadian, Texas native Alex Moreno-Gonzalez, a senior composition student in the Rice University Shepherd School of Music , knew he had to do something to help.

Rice celebrates Black History Month with inaugural kickoff event and month of programming

Rice University will celebrate Black History Month with a series of events including its first ever kickoff, “Called to Create: African Americans and the Arts,” 5:30 p.m. Feb. 7 at Rice Memorial Center’s Grand Hall. It will feature singers, dancers, poetry readings and remarks from President Reginald DesRoches and other university and community leaders.

‘Headshots + Haircuts’ freshens up Rice students’ networking profiles 

The Rice Black Men’s Association (RBMA) recently held “Headshots + Haircuts,” where members received haircuts and professional headshots to help build their professional images across LinkedIn and other social media networks.

Rice Women’s Resource Center hosts ‘Paint and Sip’

Volunteers for the Rice Women’s Resource Center gathered recently at Ray Courtyard for a “Paint and Sip” team-bonding event.