Dear Owls,
Last week a topping-off ceremony was held for Chao College, Rice’s 12th residential college. The event celebrated a significant step forward in our commitment to supporting a growing student body while preserving the tight-knit community that defines Rice. And if you haven’t heard yet, we also officially dedicated Sarofim Hall, the stunning new home for visual and dramatic arts. It’s a beautiful space, and we can’t wait for you to experience it.
Just as new spaces on campus are opening doors for students, new resources are opening doors for alumni. Ask an Owl, a networking platform powered by Protopia, makes it easier than ever to seek and share career advice within our worldwide community of 60,000+ Owls. Coursera for Rice Alumni provides free online courses across a variety of subjects, offering fresh opportunities for lifelong learning.
Beyond campus, Rice University remains deeply engaged in national conversations, particularly in emphasizing our steadfast commitment to groundbreaking research that transforms lives. Meanwhile, through the 89th Texas Legislative Session, which closed June 2, 2025, Rice continued to influence policies that champion student health, water and infrastructure, brain science, space and research economy, and more. We were also pleased to celebrate Rice Day in the Capitol earlier this year, where the 50-year anniversaries of our business, engineering and computing, natural sciences and music schools were recognized in a resolution.
Another great milestone is 55 years of Traveling Owls, the alumni travel program that continues to bring Owls together for unforgettable adventures around the globe. Most recently, President DesRoches joined a group of alumni for a remarkable journey to the Galápagos Islands. It’s a powerful reminder of the unique ways Rice connects its community, on and off campus.
Looking ahead, registration is open for Alumni Weekend on Nov. 6-9. It’s a chance to reconnect with classmates, celebrate all things Rice and cheer on the Owls during Homecoming and Reunion. I hope to see you there!
Finally, I want to thank you for your continued engagement and support. This past year has been a banner one for alumni engagement, with thousands of Owls participating in events, programs and volunteer opportunities across the globe. Your involvement strengthens our community and makes a lasting impact.
As always, we want to hear from you. Whether you're attending an event, hosting an extern, or just dropping us a line, your voice matters in this community.
Go Owls!
James Hurley
Associate Vice President, Alumni Relations
Executive Director of the Association of Rice Alumni