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.
Rice conferred 270 doctoral degrees during its 113th commencement May 9 at Tudor Fieldhouse. Doctoral candidates along with friends, family and loved ones gathered for the ceremony, which included the awarding of doctoral regalia and dissertation titles, congratulatory remarks, cheers and a few moments to reflect on this milestone.
Rice’s Shared Equipment Authority celebrates silver anniversary with symposium
Rice’s Shared Equipment Authority celebrated 25 years of operation with a Silver Anniversary Symposium April 29 at the BioScience Research Collaborative.
Senior Spotlight 2026: Choi designs with curiosity, global perspective and human-centered vision
For Sean Choi, architecture has never been about finding the right answer — it’s about asking better questions.
Rice students bring health care to rural regions through new app
Three Rice students spent their spring break piloting a mobile health platform designed to support community health workers in underserved regions, including Guatemala, Kenya and Colombia.
A new program at Rice is giving students a front-row seat to the stories shaping Houston and putting them behind a microphone to tell them.
Moody Fest enters fourth year, draws thousands
Rice’s Founder’s Court looked less like the serene grassy knoll it usually is and more like an illuminated music festival Friday evening as around 2,000 students gathered for Moody Fest. Themed Glow this year, it was a lively celebration filled with live music, games, complimentary bites from local vendors and custom swag like light-up sticks and radiant headpieces.
‘Take advantage of every moment’: Brian Gibson wins Elizabeth Gillis Award
Brian Gibson, senior associate dean of undergraduates, was named this year’s winner of the Elizabeth Gillis Award for Exemplary Service at Rice President Reginald DesRoches’ annual event celebrating staff accomplishments April 23 at Tudor Fieldhouse.
Future Owls flock to Rice for Owl Days
Rice recently welcomed admitted students and their families to campus for Owl Days and Owl Days Express. The program is an opportunity for new students to explore the campus and its surrounding area. The Class of 2030 connected with fellow Owls, learned more about what the next four years may look like and experienced the university’s community, academics and culture of care.
Terrence Brooks named associate vice provost for campus engagement at Rice
Terrence J. Brooks has been named the Office of Access and Institutional Excellence’s new associate vice provost for campus engagement.
Student-founded Bionostic wins Rice Launch Challenge
The 2026 H. Albert Napier Rice Launch Challenge saw five ventures founded by Rice students compete for the top prize of $50,000. The April 21 event showcased some of the university’s top student startups and celebrated the Liu Idea Lab for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (Lilie) participants’ work over the academic year.
Bird-in at Owl Deck raises over $3,000 for Houston Audubon
Rice's first annual bird-in, which supports the Houston Audubon, was hosted at the Owl Pavilion this Earth Day.
Shepherd School composition students respond to ‘Imaging after Photography’ with original works
The series serves as a flagship program of the Libbie Rice Shearn Moody Fund for the Arts, which is part of the Moody Experience, a universitywide initiative funded by the Moody Foundation.
DiGiovanna’s legacy paves way for improved care, awareness of rare condition
Rice is remembering alumnus Shane DiGiovanna ’21 of Martel College, whose life and advocacy brought national attention to a rare genetic disorder while he inspired others with his resilience, compassion and boundless energy.
