Where tradition meets history: Rice welcomes its largest class with the walk through Sallyport
Rice's newest Owls took their first steps through the Sallyport, a rite of passage that marks not just the start of college but the beginning of a life-changing journey.
One shirt, many stories: O-Week T-shirt design unifies Rice’s residential colleges
In a colorful show of creativity and campus spirit, Rice's 11 residential colleges have come together to create a unified O-Week T-shirt design — a collaboration that reflects both school pride and the strength of Rice’s student communities.
‘It’s just magical’: Rice kicks off O-Week with joy, tradition and big dreams
The sidewalks of Rice’s campus filled with cheers, chants and signs Sunday morning as the newest Owls arrived for move-in day.
Weeks of Welcome to connect Owls with campus community, resources
As a continuation of Rice’s Office of Student Success Initiatives’ O-Week, the Student Center will host Weeks of Welcome Aug. 23-Sept. 6 at various locations on campus. The program will combine academic, educational, developmental and social programming for both undergraduate and graduate students to provide a solid foundation for new and returning students as they transition or return to Rice.
Owl Access sets up incoming Rice students for success
Rice’s Office of Student Success Initiatives hosted a prematriculation program for incoming Rice freshman and their families Aug. 14-16 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.
Rice, city relocate crosswalk signal to boost safety near graduate apartments
Rice demonstrated its commitment to campus and community safety with the recent relocation of a crosswalk signal. Rice worked with the surrounding neighbors and the city of Houston to transfer a high-intensity activated crosswalk signal previously located on Sunset Boulevard in front of Congregation Emanu El to Rice Boulevard at Gate 23 near First Christian Church — an area that experiences substantially more foot traffic.
Rice Emerging Scholars Program prepares first-year students for STEM success
Rice’s campus was buzzing this summer as students in the Rice Emerging Scholars Program wrapped up six weeks of challenging courses, hands-on projects and community-building. The end-of-program events and presentations marked the culmination of a summer designed to prepare incoming first-year students — particularly those from under-resourced high schools — for the pace, depth and rigor of STEM majors at Rice.
Rice earns national recognition in Princeton Review’s 2026 Best Colleges rankings
Rice has once again earned national recognition in The Princeton Review’s annual Best Colleges rankings, placing in the top 10 in four categories for 2026.
‘Forever grateful’ Rice alumnus steps in line for top chair with Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo
Rice alumnus Wesley Sinor ’97, who graduated with a master’s degree from the Jones School of Business, has been flagged as Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo's chairman-elect.
Moody Civic Immersion program introduces incoming Owls to service-learning, Houston area
Rice’s academic year is about to launch, but dozens of incoming Owls started early by engaging with the city and its social justice issues, addressing them through the Ross Rankin Moody Civic Immersion program, one of the flagships of the university’s Center for Civic Leadership.
‘A future full of promise’: Rice to welcome largest class in history
Rice will kick off its annual orientation, lovingly dubbed O-Week, Aug. 17 in a series of programs that familiarize incoming students with their new schools, residential colleges and classmates as it welcomes the Class of 2029.
Rice Business student opens smoothie, acai shop in downtown Houston
A new concept shop in downtown Houston features healthy smoothies, acai bowls, parfaits and more — and it’s owned and operated by a Rice sophomore.
Rice alumni come full circle as clinical leaders for REMS
Three Rice alumni who are now medical doctors comprise the clinical leaders for Rice Emergency Medical Services, the university’s student-led team of emergency medical technicians.
Rice empowers Houston teens to lead through entrepreneurship, technology and civics
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.
Rice EMS’s blood drive helps save lives
Rice Emergency Medical Services partnered with Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center to host a campus blood drive July 12.
