Sam Byrd

Owls celebrate Rice Blue Friday amid campus azaleas

On March 1, Owls gathered on the Entrance 1 pathway to witness the annual blooms on the azaleas that dot the area.

Lecture examines Rice’s historical relationship with Black community

Rice University hosted a capstone event for its Black History Month celebrations Feb. 27 in Sewall Hall titled “Tracing the History of Blacks at Rice Through University Records.”

Rice’s Division of Finance and Administration changes name

Rice’s Office of Finance and Administration has changed its name to the Division of Operations, Finance and Support.

Rice’s NROTC unit hosts car wash fundraiser March 2

The Rice Naval ROTC (NROTC) unit will host a car wash fundraiser on Saturday, March 2 from 9 a.m. to noon, located across from Rice Bikes. Funds raised from the event will benefit NROTC students and participating students from the University of Houston and Texas Southern University.

Rice goes pink and blue with an azalea celebration March 1

Rice University welcomes members of the Owls community to visit the pathway between Entrance 1 and the Sallyport to enjoy the colorful flowers, community, a food truck and entertainment in celebration of the crown jewel of the university’s welcoming driveway from 12-1:30 p.m. March 1. As an added bonus, the first 100 people dressed in Rice blue will receive a free cupcake.

Rice hosts Dr. Bernard Harris, first Black American astronaut to walk in space

Rice University continued its celebration of Black History Month with a special installment of the Ion’s “Visionary Voices” speaker series featuring Dr. Bernard Harris Jr., a NASA astronaut and the first Black American to walk in space. He is also a physician, company founder, CEO, philanthropist and venture capitalist. 

Owls show Texan and Rice pride on Go Texan Day

Two Houston traditions aligned Feb. 23 as Owls celebrated Rice University’s tradition of wearing blue on Fridays as well as dressing in western wear for Go Texan Day.

Staff Spotlight: Henry Cash

Staff Spotlight: Henry Cash Student Behavioral Advisor

Rice keeps rolling with Houston BCycle

Rice University is welcoming a familiar service back to campus: Houston BCycle. In addition, by signing up with their rice.edu email addresses, Rice Owls are able to purchase discounted $14 monthly subscriptions.

Mitzvah Marathon churns out good deeds from Owls

Mitzvah, the Hebrew word for good deed, was in full celebration Feb. 14 at Rice University. Chabad at Rice welcomed faculty, staff and students to the central quad to participate by donating blood, making sandwiches for the undomiciled population, creating cards for young hospital patients and entering a bone marrow registry.

Rice celebrates 46th annual Original MLK Parade

Rice participated in the 46th annual Original MLK Parade thanks to a dedicated roster of staff, students and Sammy The Owl.

Rice hosts United Way campaign celebration, still time left to participate

Rice University President Reginald DesRoches and his wife Paula welcomed members of the Rice United Way campaign committee to their home for a reception to thank them for their efforts in support of the university’s annual campus initiative, which continues through the end of March. 

Rice celebrates Black History Month with inaugural kickoff event

Rice University held its first ever kickoff event for Black History Month Feb. 7 themed “Called to Create: African Americans and the Arts.” More than 200 guests gathered at the Rice Memorial Center’s Grand Hall for an evening of music, dance, guest speakers, food and jubilation.

Rice cooks up new dining options across campus

In a culinary initiative aimed at embracing diversity and catering to evolving student demographics, Rice Housing and Dining has unveiled an additional meal period in residential dining and an innovative International Stations program featuring an array of worldly cuisines.

Rice is first Texas university to earn Best Workplace for Commuters designation

Rice University was designated as a 2024 Best Workplace for Commuters — an honor achieved by providing a robust employee commuter benefits program, helping reduce traffic congestion and improve the overall quality of life for those who live and work in the region.