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.
Shepherd School ticket sales for historic production of Verdi’s ‘Falstaff’ open Feb. 6
Performances are scheduled for 7:30 p.m. April 17, 2 p.m. April 19 with an added third performance at 7:30 p.m. April 21.
Rice praises Curet’s 15 years of nourishing bodies, minds
Rice is saluting Johnny Curet for 15 years of service. He has operated both as the director of campus dining as well as a co-instructor for the course Chem 178: The Chemistry of Cooking.
Before rockets, there were stories: Rice explores human meaning of space
Two Rice scholars are asking what it would mean to treat that long human relationship with space as not just a footnote to engineering but as a central intellectual pursuit.
The four-part series of discussions reframes AI as a cultural, ethical and historical problem, not simply a computational one.
Sustainability office introduces eco-friendly commute challenge
Rice’s Office of Sustainability has launched its “New Year, New Commute” challenge, running through Feb. 16 exclusively for Rice staff and faculty. The goal is to encourage Owls to explore and track sustainable and smart commuting options using the ConnectSmart app, helping the university meet its sustainability goals while making daily travel more efficient and rewarding.
Strengthening service: Rice consolidates safety, security entities
As Rice’s footprint expands into more public-facing environments, the scope of its efforts to maintain safety and security has grown as well. To better reflect this reality, the unit formerly known as Campus Safety and Research Security has been renamed Public Safety and Research Security.
Accreditor recognizes Rice with inaugural Torch Award
Rice was recognized by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges as a recipient of its inaugural Torch Awards, a new recognition program celebrating member institutions for leadership in three areas: affordability, student success and postcollege outcomes. Rice was recognized in the postcollege outcome category.
OF&S kicks off 2026 with a bang
Rice’s Division of Operations, Finance and Support kicked off the new year with a lively mixer that brought colleagues together for an afternoon of connection, conversation and celebration. The event featured food and beverages, branded swag items and ample opportunities for staff to socialize and reconnect after the break.
Shepherd School professor’s performance featured in Oscar-nominated original song
Ana María Martínez, a professor of voice and a Grammy Award-winning operatic soprano, has lent her voice to “Sweet Dreams of Joy” from “Viva Verdi!”
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.
Shepherd School presents orchestral programs exploring collaboration, contrast
Collaboration and contrast shape two orchestral performances at Rice's Shepherd School of Music Feb. 6-7.
Rice lauds Medina’s 35 years of bridging communities, enriching relationships
Rice is recognizing David Medina for 35 years of service. As the director of multicultural community relations in the Office of Public Affairs, Medina conducts and participates in more than 100 activities annually, which reach more than 10,000 people. These activities include college information sessions, school visits, community dialogue luncheons, lectures, film festivals, media relations, college essay-writing workshops, galas, receptions and community events. Additionally, he oversees a quarterly newsletter that raises awareness of the university’s outreach efforts. His last day with the university will be March 31.
Calling all staff: Nominations open for the Rice Staff Excellence Award
In recognition of the outstanding contributions of Rice staff members, the Rice Staff Council is calling for nominations for the 2026 Rice Staff Excellence Award.
