Dear Owls,
As we finally welcome some cooler weather here in Houston, we’re still warmed by the incredible memories of Alumni Weekend! It was a joy to welcome so many of you back to campus, reconnect and celebrate all that makes our Rice family truly special. This year, we welcomed over 2,000 attendees — a 30% increase over the previous year! The energy, camaraderie and Owl pride were palpable. Our reunion classes raised more than $42 million over a five-year span, adding to the success of an unforgettable weekend!
This fall, Rice introduced Momentous, our ambitious new strategic plan designed to position the university as a leader in teaching and research, elevating Rice to unprecedented heights. In the spring, we’re bringing this inspiring vision to cities across the country — including Austin, Chicago, Dallas, Washington, D.C. and Los Angeles — to celebrate the remarkable momentum and exciting developments happening at Rice.
Thank you again to those of you who participated in the 2024 Rice Alumni Engagement Survey! Your feedback has been invaluable, giving us fresh perspectives and innovative ideas that we’re already implementing to enhance alumni engagement. We're strengthening alumni benefits and services, investing in career-focused programming, and focusing efforts on regional programming as well as school-specific events to better support our graduate alumni community. Our commitment is to keep our community connected and thriving in the ways that matter most to you.
As we look toward 2025, we’re excited about what’s in store for our alumni community and can’t wait to build on these successes with you. And as we move into the holiday season, we’re looking forward to keeping the momentum going with our holiday parties. Whether you’re in Houston, New York or Paris, these gatherings offer a wonderful opportunity to celebrate with fellow Owls and embrace the spirit of Rice, no matter where you are.
We wish you a joyous holiday season, and can’t wait to connect with you in the coming year.
Happy Owlidays,
James Hurley
Associate Vice President, Alumni Relations
Executive Director of the Association of Rice Alumni