Rice is a double winner in the 47th annual Telly Awards, which honor excellence in video and television. The university won a silver Telly in the Education and Discovery category for a social media series titled “Discovering Materials Science and Engineering: Engineering Solutions for a Changing World,” which followed freshmen as they were introduced to how materials shape the world in a materials science and nanoengineering course of the same name. Additionally, Rice won a bronze Telly in the Educational Institution category for a nonbroadcast campaign titled “RAMI Undergraduate Research Fellows at Rice University,” which showcases cutting-edge undergraduate research.
Rice's Office of Public Affairs earned four honors at the 41st Public Relations Society of America Houston Excalibur Awards, including Communications Team of the Year for the Rice News and Media Relations team.
Mayor John Whitmire declared April 14 “David D. Medina Day” in Houston for Medina’s contributions to the city through his work at Rice with a proclamation at City Hall.
Rice is recognizing Dean Mackey for 31 years of service. As a senior graphic designer in the Office of Public Affairs, he provides creative visual designs that propel marketing and communications needs. Mackey’s work has taken the form of posters, brochures, stationery and T-shirts to name just a few areas where his visual eye and creative mind bridge design and Rice’s brand. His last day with the university will be March 31.
The campus is home to the Lynn R. Lowrey Arboretum, a living collection of woody plants and native species that bursts into color each spring as hundreds of azaleas come into bloom. To celebrate the seasonal display, the university’s Office of Public Affairs hosted Rice Blue in Bloom March 6 in the Milus E. Hindman Garden.
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.
Rice will play a central role at the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting in Davos, Switzerland, anchoring signature Bloomberg House programming that spotlights how research universities, cities and states are translating innovation, talent and investment into durable social and economic returns.
Rice hosted five high school students for a forward-thinking summer pilot program named the ETC Lab, designed to equip high school juniors and seniors with the tools to become empowered, civically engaged citizens and future leaders.
Houston Woman Magazine recently recognized numerous women representing business, philanthropy and academia as part of its annual Houston’s 50 Most Influential Women, and Rice is home to two of those remarkable women.
To celebrate Rice's azaleas’ eye-catching beauty in full bloom, the university’s Office of Public Affairs hosted Rice Blue in Bloom March 26 outside Cohen House.
Rice has named seasoned special events executive Susan Christian as the first senior director of campus and community engagement and conference services.
Members of Rice’s Office of Public Affairs hosted a panel discussion about the “practical civics” of how people can interact with local, state and federal government Feb. 13 at Fondren Library’s Kyle Morrow Room. The panelists explained the nuts and bolts of how individuals might navigate civics in impactful ways.
