Mayor declares April 14 ‘David D. Medina Day’ in honor of Rice alum, employee
Mayor John Whitmire declared April 14 “David D. Medina Day” in Houston for Medina’s contributions to the city through his work at Rice with a proclamation at City Hall.
Faculty recognized with George R. Brown Award for Superior Teaching
Nine Rice faculty members received the 2026 George R. Brown Award for Superior Teaching, which honors Rice’s top instructors based on votes from alumni who graduated within the past two, three and five years.
Rice student Fitzgerald named Houston Pride Parade grand marshal amid rapid rise
For Rice University junior D. Fitzgerald, what began as a personal journey of self-discovery has quickly grown into a powerful platform for advocacy — one now recognized across the city of Houston. Just one year after attending her first Pride Parade, Fitzgerald has been named a 2026 Houston Pride Parade Trendsetter Grand Marshal, an honor she says still feels surreal.
Rice’s Tam named Guggenheim Fellow
Kenneth Tam, an interdisciplinary artist whose work spans video, sculpture, installation, performance and photography, is an assistant professor of art.
Verdi’s final masterpiece gets country club makeover at Rice’s Shepherd School
The production pairs one of the most demanding works in the operatic canon with a creative team intent on making it feel startlingly current.
REMS brings ‘realism’ to emergency training with moulage workshop
Rice Emergency Medical Services recently welcomed moulage artist Katie McKinney to campus for a hands-on workshop designed to enhance the realism of emergency response training. Through the use of special effects makeup, McKinney taught students how to recreate lifelike injuries — transforming standard simulations into immersive, high-impact learning experiences.
Love letters and real lives: Wiess Tabletop Theatre presents ‘She Loves Me’ April 17-19
Rice's Wiess Tabletop Theatre will present “She Loves Me” at 8 p.m. April 17-19 in the Wiess Commons. The show is free to Rice students, and others can attend for a $5 general admission fee.
Rice mourns loss of philanthropic alum, devoted campus leader Russ Pitman
Rice is remembering the life of beloved alumnus, employee and donor H. Russell “Russ” Pitman ’58, who died April 10 at 89. Pitman’s connection to Rice spans seven decades — first as a student, then as a staff member and ultimately as one of the university’s most generous benefactors.
Hundreds attend RiceFest to learn about employee benefits options, campus services
Hundreds of university employees gathered at the Rice Memorial Center’s Grand Hall April 7 for RiceFest, the annual event designed to help staff explore health care and other benefits. More than 30 campus departments and business partners welcomed attendees, offering valuable information about services and products available together with open enrollment, which runs through April 17.
Rice historian Brinkley’s ‘Cronkite’ to be adapted into feature film
Before Walter Cronkite became synonymous with trusted journalism, he was a young man in Houston, cutting his teeth on local stories.
Rice applauds 150-plus employees’ service, impact
Rice President Reginald DesRoches and Kelly Fox, executive vice president for operations, finance and support, greeted employees who have opted to participate in the Voluntary Separation Incentive Program March 27 in the Baker Institute for Public Policy’s Dore Commons.
Leadership in age of AI: John Doerr on purpose, innovation and the future
Venture capitalist John Doerr joined Doerr Institute for New Leaders’ director Bernie Banks at Rice March 26 for a wide-ranging conversation on leadership, technology and the future of work.
‘ENRON’ at Rice revisits corporate collapse, invites modern energy debate
The Olivier Award-nominated play traces the rise and fall of the Houston-based energy trading giant, translating complex financial systems into a fast-paced theatrical experience.
Rice’s open enrollment period for benefit plans is April 3-17
Rice’s open enrollment period for employee benefit plans will run from April 3-17. To give employees a way to better explore their benefits options, the campus will hold its annual RiceFest benefits fair from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. April 7 at Rice Memorial Center’s Grand Hall.
3rd annual Earth Month Kick-Off festival April 1
Rice's Office of Sustainability invites the campus community to join the third annual Earth Month Kick-Off Festival from 12:30-3:30 p.m. April 1 at the Grand Hall in Rice Memorial Center.