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.
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.
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.
Rice praises Curet’s 15 years of nourishing bodies, minds
Rice is saluting Johnny Curet for 15 years of service. He has operated both as the director of campus dining as well as a co-instructor for the course Chem 178: The Chemistry of Cooking.
Sustainability office introduces eco-friendly commute challenge
Rice’s Office of Sustainability has launched its “New Year, New Commute” challenge, running through Feb. 16 exclusively for Rice staff and faculty. The goal is to encourage Owls to explore and track sustainable and smart commuting options using the ConnectSmart app, helping the university meet its sustainability goals while making daily travel more efficient and rewarding.
Strengthening service: Rice consolidates safety, security entities
As Rice’s footprint expands into more public-facing environments, the scope of its efforts to maintain safety and security has grown as well. To better reflect this reality, the unit formerly known as Campus Safety and Research Security has been renamed Public Safety and Research Security.
Rice University named Official Houston World Cup 2026 Host City Supporter
Rice has been named an Official Houston World Cup 2026 Host City Supporter, placing the state’s leading higher education institution at the center of preparations for the world’s largest sporting event and reinforcing Rice’s mission as a university with global reach.
Accreditor recognizes Rice with inaugural Torch Award
Rice was recognized by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges as a recipient of its inaugural Torch Awards, a new recognition program celebrating member institutions for leadership in three areas: affordability, student success and postcollege outcomes. Rice was recognized in the postcollege outcome category.
Rice to commemorate 100 years of Black History Month with series of events
Rice will celebrate Black History Month starting Feb. 1 and lasting into March, observing the month’s 100-year anniversary with a series of discussions, fellowship opportunities and special festivities highlighting the richness of Black culture.
Rice lauds Medina’s 35 years of bridging communities, enriching relationships
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.
Calling all staff: Nominations open for the Rice Staff Excellence Award
In recognition of the outstanding contributions of Rice staff members, the Rice Staff Council is calling for nominations for the 2026 Rice Staff Excellence Award.
Rice remembers MLK’s legacy during Houston’s annual parade
In celebrating Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Rice students, alumni, employees, family and friends joined in Houston’s MLK Unity Parade Jan. 19 while also paying tribute to the lessons he imparted.
‘Reminder to responsibly carry intention’: Rice community honors MLK’s legacy
The Rice Black Men’s Association, multicultural community relations in the university’s Office of Public Affairs and the Office of Access and Institutional Excellence welcomed guests to honor Martin Luther King Jr for the annual vigil held in observance of the civil rights leader.
