“Rice is a special place.” That’s a phrase I often hear from Rice alumni, Rice students and their families, current and former Houstonians, and anyone who has spent even a few minutes on campus.
What makes Rice and the Rice community so special? As president of the Association of Rice Alumni (ARA) this academic year, I get the unique opportunity to connect and interact with alums of different ages, degrees and perspectives. And I think there are a few unique attributes of Rice alumni that are consistent across this community of leaders and learners.
First, Rice alumni are positively impacting the world in ways big and small. This summer, for example, Rice alumni were on the global stage at the Olympics and Paralympics, from conducting the Orchestre National de France during the opening ceremony to competing in track and field and swimming. Every day, Rice alumni are improving the world as entrepreneurs and business leaders, researchers and engineers, classroom teachers and non-profit leaders, policymakers and community volunteers, artists and architects.
Secondly, in true Rice fashion, our alumni are lifelong learners and critical thinkers. Rice alumni exhibit the commitment written on our diplomas to pursue “the advancement of liberal and technical learning and the progress of humankind in letters science and art.” When prospective students I interview through Rice Alumni Volunteers for Admissions (RAVA) ask about a major takeaway from my Rice experience, my answer is always that “I learned how to be a critical thinker.” An example of critical thinking and lifelong learning in action can be seen in the six Rice graduates selected as Fulbright scholars this year.
This fall, I hope you’ll consider engaging more deeply with Rice and the very special Rice community. For alumni who, like me, are not based in Houston, I’d encourage you to come back to campus for Alumni Weekend, see the Rice Owls when they are in a city near you and attend a regional alumni event even if it’s your first time doing so. If you’re in Houston, attend one of the many alumni events supported by the Office of Alumni Relations, go to a world-class concert at the Shepherd School, take your family and friends to Owls games and see the new exhibits offered at the Moody.
Finally, if you’re able, say “yes” to supporting current Rice students and recent graduates in positively impacting the world in the ways that you, as Rice alumni, are. We each have the ability to open doors for current students and young alumni through providing mentoring, internships, advising, externships and career coaching. By providing these kinds of experiences to the next generation of Owls, we exhibit one more unique attribute of Rice alumni — a commitment to giving back.
Hope to see you on campus soon!
David Mansouri ’07
President, Association of Rice Alumni