Shepherd School violinist to represent Houston, Texas at Miss Chinatown USA Pageant
Martono, a second-year master’s student in violin performance, won the title of Miss Chinatown Houston 2025, her first-ever pageant.
City controller recognizes DesRoches during Black History Month
Rice President Reginald DesRoches was honored with a Community Trailblazer Award Feb. 19 by the city of Houston’s controller Chris Hollins during his office’s annual celebration of Black History Month. The ceremony, emceed by local news veteran Melanie Lawson, took place at City Hall in front of more than 200 attendees.
Leadership beyond the game: Rice cheers Mosely’s dedication
Rice commends Stacy Mosely for 14 years of service. As executive senior associate athletic director/senior woman administrator, Mosely maintains administrative oversight for the women’s soccer, basketball and golf teams in addition to the Office of Student-Athlete Development and is the liaison to the Office of Academic Advising for Athletics. She also serves as the liaison to the Office of Admissions, Student Judicial Programs, the Wellbeing and Counseling Center as well as the Rice Committee on Athletics. As Rice’s senior woman administrator, Mosely oversees the Title IX gender equity committee and is a deputy Title IX coordinator for the university. Her last day is March 31.
Shepherd School orchestras to spotlight new works, milestone commission in March concerts
Two orchestral concerts March 7-8 will feature guest composer Nina C. Young and the world premiere of Arthur Gottschalk’s 50th anniversary commission.
Wyrczynski, Kam appointed professors of viola at Rice’s Shepherd School of Music beginning fall 2027
The new hires represent the beginning of a new era for the Shepherd School’s viola program as longtime professors Ivo-Jan van der Werff and James Dunham are retiring this spring and spring 2027, respectively.
Rice commends Cervenka’s 25 years of dedication
For more than 25 years, Katie Cervenka has poured her energy, creativity and heart into Rice. As assistant vice president for corporate and foundation relations, she has played a central role in developing robust partnerships with private foundations — primarily in the form of research support — and with companies, where relationships include research as well as recruiting, licensing and professional development. Her last day at the university is March 31.
Welcoming the ‘Year of the Horse’ at Rice’s Chinese New Year Gala
Rice students gathered Feb. 14 to celebrate the Lunar New Year at a festive Chinese New Year Gala hosted by the Rice Chinese Students and Scholars Association. The event honored the traditions of the Spring Festival, also known as the Lunar New Year, which marks the transition from the old lunar year to the new and is widely celebrated in China and across Asian communities around the world.
Houston families invited to explore orchestra at Shepherd School’s Family Concert
Designed especially for children and first-time concertgoers, the hourlong performance centers on Benjamin Britten’s beloved “The Young Person’s Guide to the Orchestra."
At Rice, ‘The World at Play’ turned soccer into space for connection, conversation, care
a spirit of conversation defined the two-day conference organized by Rice’s School of Humanities and Arts faculty Jacqueline Couti and Caroline Fache ahead of the 2026 World Cup.
Farwell remembered as guiding force for generations of singers at Shepherd School
Joyce Farwell, professor emerita of voice, passed away Jan. 21 in Waco, Texas.
Rice commends Nichol’s 19 years of sparking scientific curiosity, bolstering access
Rice is recognizing Carolyn Nichol for 19 years of service. She is the director of the Office of STEM Engagement, providing strategic leadership for a team of 14 professionals dedicated to advancing excellence in teaching and learning.
Rice partners with Astronaut Scholarship Foundation on STEM scholarships
Rice recently announced a partnership with the Astronaut Scholarship Foundation, which offers students up to $15,000, mentorship, networking and a paid trip to the ASF Innovators Symposium and Gala.
‘Inside Look’ brings students, faculty, audience into making of modern opera
Led by stage director and Aleko Endowed Artist Paul Curran, the program featured the world premiere of “A Joint Interest,” a 50th anniversary commission by Karim Al-Zand.
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.