Laureates Awards
On June 3, 2021, the worldwide Rice community gathered virtually to honor Rice University’s 2020-2021 Laureates Awards recipients. The special evening included a presentation of awards from Association of Rice Alumni (ARA) past Presidents Michol Ecklund ’97 and Frank G. Jones ’63, remarks from President David W. Leebron and the Laureates honorees, recognition of our 2020-2021 Young Alumni Builders Award recipients, as well as a musical performance from the Shepherd School of Music.
Thank you to all who attended! Watch recordings of the Laureates Awards Ceremony.
Learn about the Awards and Submit a Nomination
The nomination deadline for 2022 is Friday, Sept. 24, 2021.
Selected honorees are announced in early spring and are honored each year at the annual Laureates Dinner on the evening of Commencement. If you have any questions regarding the nominations process, please contact Alejandra Merheb, Interim Assistant Vice President of Alumni Relations and Director of Alumni Regional Outreach
2020-2021 Laureates Awards Winners
The ARA is honored to recognize the following distinguished individuals. Watch highlights from the night, including award presentations, acceptance speeches, the full event recording and more.
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Gold Medal Award |
Distinguished Alumni |
Meritorious Service |
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Finis E. Cowan Jr. ’51 |
William T. Cannady |
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About the Awards
The Laureates Awards Program was created by the Association of Rice Alumni in 1937 to recognize highly distinguished individuals for extraordinary achievements and contributions to their professions, local communities and Rice University. Every year, three major awards celebrate outstanding Rice alumni and friends of the university, including the Meritorious Service Award, the Distinguished Alumni Award and the Gold Medal, the highest possible honor for service to the university.
The Meritorious Service Award recognizes significant and sustained voluntary contributions towards the advancement of the university
The Distinguished Alumni Award honors alumni who have advanced the interest and standards of excellence of Rice University through distinctive professional or volunteer careers
The Gold Medal Award , the highest honor bestowed by the ARA, recognizes extraordinary service to the university, deep dedication to and advancement of academic excellence and uncommon generosity of time and means in support of Rice.
Thank you to the 2020 Laureates Awards Selection Committee!
Michol Ecklund ’97, Co-Chair
Frank G. Jones ’63, Co-Chair
Wendy Hoenig ’86
Paula Desel ’81
Nancy Eubank ’55
Anudeep Jain ’85
Priya Prasad ’08
Robert Taylor ’74
John E. Wolf Jr. ’61