Rice faculty encourage Class of 2030 to embrace curiosity, courage and compassion
On the second morning of O-Week, Rice’s incoming Class of 2030 gathered at Tudor Fieldhouse to hear three faculty members share lessons from their research, careers and experiences — and offer advice for making the most of their time on campus.
A university continuing to grow: Rice welcomes new faculty as institution expands
Rice's new faculty were welcomed during the annual two-day faculty orientation, emphasizing that the university’s growth over the past several years has been driven not only by numbers or new buildings but also by the people who will shape Rice’s future.
Owl Access clears path for incoming students’ success
Rice's Office of Student Success Initiatives hosted a prematriculation program for incoming freshman and their families Aug. 13-14 as a leadup to O-Week. Named Owl Access, the initiative is led and supported by current students to welcome freshmen who move in early to Rice, providing a comfortable adjustment period and easing them into college life.
Lovett College carries its community into new home
Rice's Lovett College has a new home. It has moved into a new 11-story building on campus, trading the familiar quirks of the Toaster for abundant natural light, new gathering spaces, study lounges and a one-of-a-kind elevated outdoor space known as the Sky Quad.
One garment, 12 stories: O-Week T-shirt design rallies Owls
When new students arrived at Rice for O-Week, they quickly learned how residential college identity is a big part of life on campus. Each college has its own traditions, personality and theme. This year, though, a new T-shirt design offers a reminder that all of those communities are part of something bigger.
Hall Frenkel to lead Rice’s collaborative health initiatives
Rice's Office of Research has bolstered its commitment to foster collaborations and educational partnerships with health-related institutions of the Texas Medical Center by hiring Becky Hall Frenkel to lead its Educational and Research Initiatives for Collaborative Health office.
Asana Day teaches Owls about tool to streamline work
Rice employees took a major step toward more efficient project management during the university’s first-ever Asana Day, an immersive training event hosted by the Operational Excellence team from the Division of Operations, Finance and Support.
Construction to begin on new Kraft Pavilion; Beer Bike update
The following construction announcement was shared with the campus Aug. 10:
Rice to welcome Class of 2030 during O-Week
To help incoming students adjust to their new life, Rice will hold its annual Orientation Week — lovingly dubbed O-Week — to become acquainted with the university and the new parliament of Owls.
Rice materials science triumphs with pair of Telly Awards
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.
Hot temps, cold treats at annual Ice Cream Social
Rice staff enjoyed a sweet afternoon of appreciation at the June 4 Ice Cream Social, hosted by Staff Council and served by university leadership.
Digital Learning Symposium emphasizes responsible AI in education
The 2026 Digital Learning Symposium, an inaugural event for Rice, brought together faculty, students and thought leaders to explore a central question shaping higher education today: How do we preserve human-centered learning in an age increasingly defined by artificial intelligence?
ARUBA Weekend celebrates legacy, charts future for Black alumni at Rice
Legacy at Rice is not just something to look back on — it is something actively built, carried and expanded. That idea that started with a few members of the Association of Rice Black Alumni led by past ARUBA president Angela Berry Roberson came into focus during the inaugural ARUBA Weekend, a recent four-day gathering that brought together alumni, students, faculty and university leaders for reflection, reconnection and a shared vision for what comes next.
