Rice honors Taylor’s multidecade career shaping student experience
Rice recognizes Matthew Taylor for his 31 years of service. As senior associate provost he oversees the Office of Strategic and Educational Initiatives within the Provost’s Office. His last day with the university will be Dec. 31.
A year of momentum: State of the University address highlights Rice’s steady accomplishments
Rice President Reginald DesRoches hosted the State of the University address Dec. 8 to reflect on the institution’s achievements and to provide a glimpse of its future direction.
Discipline, ambition and responsibility: More than 500 degrees conferred at December commencement
The newest parliament of Owl graduates celebrated a major step in their educational journey during Rice’s December 2025 commencement ceremony, held in Tudor Fieldhouse Dec. 9. The event included 116 bachelor’s degrees, 397 master’s degrees and 65 doctoral degrees conferred among the new graduates.
Led by composer and professor Anthony Brandt, the lab highlights a growing area of study at the intersection of the arts, neuroscience and the medical humanities.
Holiday toy drive aims to bring good cheer to local families
The Rice Police Department is hosting its 13th annual Blue Santa Toy Drive in partnership with the Children’s Assessment Center to sponsor 14 families.
Service and celebration: REMS marks November with blood drive, Collegiate EMS Week
REMS wrapped an active November which included both a blood drive in coordination with the Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center and the annual Collegiate EMS Week.
A legacy in loaves: Chabad hosts annual Mega Challah Bake
Chabad at Rice’s co-directors Rabbi Shmuli and Nechama Slonim recently welcomed students for the third annual Mega Challah Bake. It was a night of flour-dusted hands, spirited games and a deeper look at the meaning behind one of Judaism’s most beloved foods.
Illuminating heritage: SEAPI Night at Rice grows bigger in second year
Rice’s Vietnamese Student Association and Thai Student Association hosted the second annual Southeast Asian and Pacific Islander Night themed “A Thousand Lanterns” Nov. 21. This student-led celebration offered more than just a showcase; it created a luminous affirmation of community, identity and belonging through a diverse night market reminiscent of the bustling night markets seen in southeast Asia that complemented a colorful performance showcase.
The event was organized in conjunction with “Bio Morphe,” the Moody’s current exhibition exploring how select contemporary artists evoke biomorphism — the aesthetics of organic material and forms — in their work.
Rice's Take Flight Scholars program welcomed community college honors students to two immersive Take Flight On Campus at Rice days offering an in-depth look at the pathways between two-year colleges and four-year universities. Previously focused on STEM honors students at San Jacinto College and Lone Star College, this year Take Flight has expanded to include students in the humanities, business and social sciences and has rebranded from the Take Flight STEM Pathway to the Take Flight Scholars Program.
Student ensembles to present weekend of performances at Rice’s Shepherd School of Music Dec. 4-6
From chamber music to full orchestra to a sold-out holiday celebration, audiences will have multiple opportunities to experience the school’s artistry on stage.
‘A Thousand Lanterns’ to light up SEAPI Night celebration
Rice’s second annual Southeast Asian and Pacific Islander Night will return Nov. 21 from 6-11 p.m. at the Rice Memorial Center’s Grand Hall with expanded performances, new vendors and an even greater sense of cultural pride and community connection.
Shepherd School celebrates 50 years with gala concert, dinner
The evening, chaired by Anne and Albert Chao and Isabel and Danny David with underwriter chairs Shawn Stephens and Jim Jordan, brought together alumni, faculty, students and supporters to celebrate five decades of musical achievement and philanthropy.
Connection, purpose, relationships and service: Rice celebrates Veterans Day
Faculty, staff and students gathered at Rice’s Memorial Chapel Nov. 11 to honor members of the university community who have served in the military. The gathering marked Rice’s 22nd anniversary for the annual Veterans Day Ceremony, featuring performances, guest speakers and recognition for service.
Training musicians, teachers, music lovers: A new era for conducting at Shepherd School
Under Miguel Harth-Bedoya’s direction, the Shepherd School of Music revived the Master of Music in Orchestral Conducting, a program that reflects his belief that conducting is not only a craft but also a calling rooted in generosity, listening and lifelong curiosity.
