I’m writing to you on the heels of the winter meeting of the Association of Rice Alumni (ARA) board where we engaged with university leadership on priorities under the Momentous strategic plan, got a behind-the-scenes tour at the Shepherd School and architecture’s new Cannady Hall, heard from the dynamic Rice historian Portia Hopkins about the university archives, and identified new ways for Rice to support and engage the alumni community. The ARA board serves as a link between the alumni and the university — representing the alumni community, advising and providing feedback on alumni programming, and elevating the impact that Owls are having around the world.
The opportunities for Rice alumni to come together have expanded a lot the last few years; in the coming weeks, the Rice alumni team will host a recent alumni run club in Houston, an evening with the symphony — which is full of Rice alums — in Nashville, and a virtual book club for alumni anywhere in the world. Whether you’re a regular attendee at Rice events or new to engaging with fellow Owls, take a look at the regularly updated events calendar and sign up for one.
Rice alumni also come together in active regional groups. It was great to join the Rice Alumni of Houston for their holiday party in January. If you’ve never engaged with your local alumni group, check out the information on existing regional groups around the world or the details on how to start a new one.
Finally, one of the highlights of my time as ARA president so far this year has been learning from brilliant researchers, professors and changemakers who call Rice home through the “Beyond the Hedges” podcast. While the goal of the podcast is to elevate amazing things happening at Rice with the broader world, it’s also an excellent way to feel like you’re back on campus. Recent episodes have included an interview with conductor Miguel Harth-Bedoya at the Shepherd School and a discussion with Sabia Abidi on fascinating innovations in bioengineering. I hope you’ll give it a listen!
Hope to see you on campus this spring!
David Mansouri ’07
President, Association of Rice Alumni