Marthe Druska Golden, who has served as assistant vice president for Alumni Relations and executive director of the Association of Rice Alumni (ARA) for five years, will be leaving her role at the end of the calendar year. The move comes after Golden’s husband, Bill, accepted a new career opportunity that will take the family back to Chicago, where they have deep family roots.
Since joining Rice in July 2014, Golden has worked closely with the ARA Board and Alumni Relations staff to manage a wide range of alumni programs and events. She has supported the development of new and more engaged affinity and regional groups, in additional to new alumni programs, including Brains in a Bar, increased Rice Day activities, Young Alumni Meet-Ups and an enhanced Beer Bike Alumni Tent experience. Her efforts also led to increased engagement with both international and graduate alumni. Among her leadership duties, Golden has overseen communications for Development and Alumni Relations, a role in which she contributed to the marketing strategy for major initiatives such as The Rice Investment, the 24-hour challenge and increased regional communications efforts. More recently, she prepared the ARA for its upcoming 100th anniversary celebration during Homecoming & Reunion Nov. 1 and 2.
A native of the Midwest, Golden spent nine years at the University of Chicago before coming to Rice. In addition to her time spent supporting the Association of Rice Alumni, Golden’s tenure in Houston was marked by the arrival of three daughters — Tess (3 ½ ), Vivian and Josephine (20 month old twins) — and the decision to leave Rice was driven by a desire to be closer to family.
“We really didn’t expect this opportunity for Bill to come along,” said Golden. “It has been a wonderful and rewarding five years at Rice, and it’s incredibly bittersweet to leave such an amazing community of alumni, colleagues and friends. I am excited for the girls to be closer to their grandparents and many aunts, uncles and cousins, but Rice will always hold a very special place in my heart.”
Golden will formally wrap up her work with Rice at the end of December. Alejandra Merheb, director of alumni regional outreach for Alumni Relations, will take on interim duties for the ARA, guiding both the work of the ARA Board and the Alumni Relations staff, while the search for Golden’s successor is underway.