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.
Rice rises in national patent rankings
Rice continues to strengthen its position as a leader in innovation, rising to No. 66 in the 2025 Top 100 U.S. Universities List for utility patents, released by the National Academy of Inventors. The university moved up two spots from last year , with 29 patents issued during the 2025 calendar year.
Rice names Lindoerfer as associate vice president for facilities
Rice is enriching its on-campus experience by hiring Brian Lindoerfer as associate vice president for facilities. He officially begins working April 13.
Shepherd School alumni and faculty featured in leading US opera companies’ new seasons
Shepherd School of Music will command a significant presence on the nation’s leading opera stages in the 2026-27 season, including Houston Grand Opera, the Metropolitan Opera, San Francisco Opera and LA Opera.
Rice cheers Rubinsky for 33 years of service
Rice is saluting Karen Rubinsky for 33 years of dedication to higher education. As the assistant vice president for development and alumni operations, she is responsible for planning, developing and maintaining the infrastructure and day-to-day administrative operations for the Development and Alumni Relations division.