Rice Alumni Affinity Groups
Affinity groups are largely Houston-based groups that are formed on the basis of shared ethnicity, professional pursuits, leisure activities and other common interests. If you are interested in effective ways to connect with fellow alumni around a shared interest not listed below, please contact Amanda Martindale, Associate Director of Alumni Regional Outreach.
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Find an Affinity Group
- Association of Rice University Black Alumni (ARUBA)
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Chair: Jamila Mensah ’00
The Association of Rice University Black Alumni (ARUBA) seeks to provide opportunities for Rice's black alumni, students, parents, faculty and staff to reinforce old relationships and develop new relationships with each other and with the Rice community as a whole.
- Graduate Alumni Network (GAN)
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The Graduate Alumni Network (GAN) offers programs, events and services that connect graduate alumni to Rice University, current graduate students and fellow graduate alumni. We seek to meet the unique needs of Rice's vibrant and talented graduate alumni community.
GAN hosts a variety of events each year, including:
Graduate Alumni & Student Networking Mixer at Valhalla during Homecoming weekend
Professional networking opportunities
Arts and theater networking socials and cocktail receptions
Pre-game tailgates at select sporting events
Mentorship and networking opportunities in conjunction with the Jones Graduate School of Business and Rice's Center for Career DevelopmentIf you are interested in supporting GAN's programming by making a financial contribution, please visit giving.rice.edu and be sure to indicate that your gift should go to "Graduate Degree Alumni Programming G82056-057000" in the "Special Instructions" field of the giving form.
Follow us on Facebook and Twitter. For more information on this group please contact alumni@rice.edu.
- Graduate Liberal Studies Alumni Association (GLSAA)
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President: Virginia Clark
The Rice University Graduate Liberal Studies Alumni Association (GLSAA) seeks to strengthen the ongoing relationship among graduates, the GLS program and the university through educational, intellectual and social activities.
To learn more about the group and become involved, please contact the Office of Alumni Relations.
To learn more about the Master of Liberal Studies program, please click here.
- Praying Rice Owls (PRO)
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The Praying Rice Owls are a group of Christians who pray for the University and the whole Rice community. We are alumni, students, faculty and staff members, parents, ministry leaders and friends of the University. The PRO's sponsor the annual Homecoming Prayer Breakfast, a time of fellowship and of unified prayer. We stay connected throughout the year via e-mail updates.
To be added to the e-mail list, please contact Ryn Bowers ’64 at rynb@att.net.
- Rice Alumni Entrepreneurs & Innovators (RAEI)
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As a global powerhouse in entrepreneurship education, Rice University has a world-class community of alumni who are engaged in entrepreneurial and innovative pursuits. Our alumni have transformed industries through the creation and funding of game changing startups as well as established, first-in-class entrepreneurial ecosystems around the globe.
The Rice Alumni Entrepreneurs & Innovators (RAEI) group seeks to connect Rice alumni and students in support of entrepreneurship and innovation through networking, mentoring and professional development.
Visit the RAEI Website for more information about this group.
- Rice Alumni in Medicine (RAM)
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President: Ishmeal Bradley ’03
The goal of the Rice Alumni in Medicine (RAM) alumni group is to serve as a platform for collaboration between healthcare alumni, the medical community and Rice University students. RAM members facilitate this goal through student support, mentorship opportunities, lifelong learning and professional networking.
To learn more about the group and become involved, please contact the Office of Alumni Relations.
- Rice Alumni Pride (RAP)
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Chair: Victor Brooks ’09
Rice Alumni Pride (RAP) seeks to unite Rice alumni who are either members of our extended gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex community or who are supportive friends and allies of this group.
- Rice Business Network (RBN)
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Chair: Tony Ackerman ’82
The Rice Business Network (RBN) is dedicated to helping members of the Rice community succeed in life and business through personal development, professional development and interpersonal connections. We offer a platform for all alumni to share knowledge, to support each other's business endeavors and to enhance the value of the Rice experience.
For more information about this group, please contact alumni@rice.edu.
Support RBN
If you are interested in supporting RBN's programming by making a financial contribution, please visit giving.rice.edu and be sure to indicate that your gift should go to the "Rice Business Network G82231-057000" in the "Special Instructions" field of the giving form.
- Rice Engineering Alumni (REA)
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President: Joanna Nathan ’11, ’12
Formed in 1938, Rice Engineering Alumni (REA) is the oldest alumni organization at Rice and is dedicated to providing support to the George R. Brown School of Engineering. All graduates of the nine departments of the George R. Brown School of Engineering are automatically members of REA. In February and March of each year, REA accepts applications for positions on its Board of Directors. Please see the REA website for details.
The REA hosts their own website with content and updates provided directly by REA members. Visit the REA Website
- Rice University Business and Professional Women (RUBPW)
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Rice University Business and Professional Women (RUBPW) is a group of Rice-affiliated women whose mission is to mutually benefit fellow Rice alumni through business, professional and social events. RUBPW members gather monthly to network and socialize, enjoy dinner at Houston-area restaurants and hear interesting speakers. Despite the name, you do not have to be in business, and you don't even have to be a woman!
For more information about this group, please contact alumni@rice.edu.
- Rice University Community of Asian Alumni (RUCAA)
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The Rice University Community of Asian Alumni (RUCAA, pronounced ruh-kah) seeks to build community among all Rice Asian alumni, international and American-born, undergraduate and graduate, HAPA and Asian-by association. RUCAA supports member involvement in Rice affairs, promotes members' person and professional development and advocates for Asian issues at Rice and in the Greater Houston Community.
Follow RUCAA on Facebook or for more information about this group, please contact alumni@rice.edu.
- Rice University Lawyer Alumni (RULA)
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The Rice University Lawyer Alumni (RULA) group connects Rice alumni who are involved with the legal profession through networking, mentoring and professional development. RULA also provides members with opportunities to engage with and be mentors for current Rice students interested in pursuing legal careers and for Rice alums who are currently in law school.
If you are interested in supporting RULA's programming by making a financial contribution, please visit giving.rice.edu and be sure to indicate that your gift should go to the "Rice University Lawyer Alumni G83070-057000" in the "Special Instructions" field of the giving form. Sponsorships are available. Contact alumni@rice.edu regarding sponsorship opportunities.
If you are interested in volunteering to plan events for Rice’s lawyer alumni, please email alumni@rice.edu and a member of the alumni relations team will be in touch to explore ways for you to get involved.
RULA was established under the leadership and guidance of the following alumni and friends:
Executive Committee
- James Lloyd ’06, Corporate Attorney, M&A and Capital Markets
- Claudia Gee Vassar ’99, President & General Counsel, Houston Botanic Garden
- Col. Thomas Berg ’74, Partner, Mallett | Saper | Berg LLP
- Michol Ecklund ’97, Vice President, General Counsel & Corporate Secretary, Callon Petroleum Co.
Advisory Board
Teddy Adams ’91, Rice Board of Trustees; Partner, Fulbright & Jaworski
Sofia Adrogué ’88, Member, Looper Reed & McGraw, PC
Bucky Allshouse ’71, Rice Board of Trustees; J.D. Bucky Allshouse PC
Bob Clarke ’63, ARA Board President; Member, Bracewell & Giuliani LLP
Harry Gee ’60, Principal, Harry Gee, Jr. & Associates
Judge Ann Patton Greene ’71, Associate Judge, Harris County Probate Court 2
Frank Jones ’63, Retired Partner, Fulbright & Jaworski, LLP
Justice Evelyn Keyes ’85, Justice, First Court of Appeals; Distinguished Lecturer of Philosophy, Rice University
Harry Reasoner ’60, Rice Board of Trustees, Senior Partner, Vinson & Elkins, LLP
Gwen Richard ’84, Shareholder, Godwin Lewis
Charles Szalkowski ’70, Alumni Trustee, Partner & General Counsel, Baker Botts LLP - Rice University Muslim Alumni (RUMA)
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Rice University Muslim Alumni (RUMA) creates a strong sense of community and support among the Rice Muslim Alumni and fosters a dynamic network of involvement for individual, professional and societal leadership within and beyond the Rice Muslim Community.
RUMA is a developing alumni group. For information on how to become part of the leadership team or to get involved, please contact alumni@rice.edu.
- Society of Latino Alumni of Rice (SOLAR)
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President: Fernanda Pierre ’14
The Society of Latino Alumni of Rice (SOLAR) represents and promotes the Hispanic alumni of Rice University through networking, recruiting, civic and social opportunities. Membership in SOLAR is open to all alumni and affiliates of the university. SOLAR meets and hosts events and programs throughout the year.
For more information about this group, please contact SOLAR@ricealumni.net.
- Society of Rice University Women (SRUW)
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President: Karin Shipman ’12, ’21
The Society of Rice University Women (SRUW) was established in 1968 and aims to promote an effective and continuing dialog between the university and its members. Originally formed as an alumnae group, SRUW is now open to all: male and female, alumni and non-alumni friends of Rice University. SRUW hosts an annual speaker series, with fall and spring speakers, along with an evening Author Series. Many, but not all, speakers in the SRUW series come from the Rice faculty. These programs can be subscribed to as a series, or attended on an individual basis. The calendar of speaker programs is available starting in August of each year. View upcoming SRUW events.
Traditionally, SRUW events were held in the R Room of the Rice stadium, but occasionally SRUW members would gather for a talk in other Rice locations, such as the Moody Center for the Arts or the West Colleges Servery. During the 2020 and 2021 seasons, programs are being held virtually via zoom to enable participants to tune in from around the world.
Each year, SRUW donates to the SRUW Scholarship Fund and, as funds allow, also donates to the Fondren Library’s Woodson Research Center and the Shepherd School of Music. SRUW members also frequently volunteer at campus events.
For more information, please contact us at societyriceuniversitywomen@gmail.com.