When Kathleen Ortiz arrived at Rice, she wasn’t sure if journalism would remain part of her life. A senior majoring in social policy analysis and sport management, Ortiz said she originally wanted to carve out an academic identity apart from her journalist parents — her mother, a high school journalism teacher and former reporter, and her father, the founder of a media company and longtime Houston Chronicle sports reporter.
Professor of cello Norman Fischer was the soloist in the premiere, which marked the first of four debuts still to come this season in a multiyear initiative of seven faculty commissions.
Ira Dempsey Gruber, whose scholarship on the American Revolution reshaped understanding of military and political life in the 18th century and whose devotion to Rice University spanned nearly six decades, died Sept. 24.
The 2025-26 Rice United Way Campaign has officially launched and provides an opportunity to make a real difference in the area. Contributions not only support individuals and families in need, but they also help to build a stronger, more resilient Houston for everyone.
Rice’s Grand Hall was filled with students, music and festivities Sept. 15 as the university began its many celebrations as part of Hispanic Heritage Month. Themed Together We Shine/Juntos Brillamos, the festivities include programming across campus through Oct. 15 that spotlights the pride, passion and progress of Hispanic communities in the U.S. while also acknowledging the ongoing work toward greater recognition, representation and empowerment.
Rice has partnered with Google for Education to adopt Google’s generative AI solution, Gemini for Education, to provide students, faculty and staff with powerful, responsible AI tools designed to personalize learning, enhance creativity and better prepare students for a technology-driven future.
Rice will honor Hispanic Heritage Month, which runs Sept. 15 through Oct. 15, with a host of events dedicated to recognizing the rich contributions and achievements of Hispanic and Latino Americans throughout the country’s history.
Members of the Jewish student community at Rice gathered recently at the Chabad Jewish Student Center for sushi and socializing to kick off the fall semester. Hosted by Rabbi Shmuli Slonim and Nechama Slonim, the group welcomed more than 100 students for the popular annual gathering.
The Shepherd School will open its 2025-26 season with two concerts led by its new distinguished resident director of orchestras, Emmy Award-winning and Grammy-nominated conductor Miguel Harth-Bedoya.
“The Anniversary” has held the No. 1 spot on Italy’s charts for months; sales have passed 100,000 copies; and the book has become a cultural lightning rod.
August is designated as National Emergency Management Awareness Month. To recognize the impact Rice’s four-member emergency management team makes on campus, Rice News spoke with the group to discuss its role in preparing for, responding to and recovering from emergencies and disasters.
Seven Rice graduates were named recipients of the Fulbright scholarship through the Fulbright U.S. Student Program this year, receiving funds to study, research and teach English abroad.
Just like incoming freshmen are getting to know the Rice campus during O-Week, newly hired faculty spent two days in an orientation of their own before classes start.
