I’m writing to you today on the heels of an inspiring Alumni Weekend. Over two days we welcomed more than 2,000 alumni back to campus from across the world, a 30% increase from the number of Owls who attended in 2023.
Over the weekend, we had the opportunity to hear from President Reginald DesRoches during an all-alumni town hall, where he highlighted Rice’s newly unveiled strategic plan, Momentous. This plan aims to guide the university over the next decade, with a focus on personalized scale and global impact. We also celebrated the achievements of fellow alumni, including the recognition of Tim Harrison ’20 and Vivas Kumar ’14 with the Builders Award for their outstanding contributions to the university post-graduation.
A few highlights for me over the weekend included interviewing Troy Schaum, associate professor of architecture, for the Beyond the Hedges podcast; participating in the first “alumni run” of the outer loop with President DesRoches and Paula DesRoches; seeing the incredible performance of "Alcina" at the Shepherd School; and the Owls upset of Navy in a rainy Saturday night game. It was great to see so many of you connect with old friends and share memories from your time on campus, while also looking ahead together to the ways Rice is evolving to serve students and our world.
One question that I often hear from alumni — and that I heard over Alumni Weekend — is about what alumni can do to stay engaged with Rice. As I look ahead to the work in 2025 for the Association of Rice Alumni (ARA), I encourage each of you to consider three ways to engage with the alumni community:
- Attend — Attend Rice events and alumni gatherings. Whether it’s a regional alumni event, a concert at the Shepherd School or a virtual alumni gathering, these moments offer invaluable opportunities to connect and learn, and your participation strengthens the Rice community. You can find a list of all the events and gatherings — both in-person and virtual — that are available to you here.
- Give — Invest in the future of Rice. A gift to Rice directly supports the university’s ability to provide exceptional education, pursue groundbreaking research and create opportunities for students and alumni alike. Every investment strengthens Rice’s foundation for future generations, and alumni can support specific areas they feel most passionate about.
- Volunteer — There are many ways to give the gift of your time and talents. One way I find most rewarding is in supporting and mentoring current students as well as recent graduates. As alumni, we have a unique role in helping the next generation of Owls navigate their early careers and growth. By offering your time and expertise, you not only contribute to their success but also reinforce the strength of our alumni network. Consider serving as an externship host and lean in to provide career advice to young alumni if you have the opportunity.
On behalf of the ARA board and our entire alumni community, I wish you and your family a joyful holiday season and a wonderful start to the new year.
Hope to see you on campus soon!
David Mansouri ’07
President, Association of Rice Alumni