Paula Desel ’81

BS 1981, Rice University
JD 1984, University of Texas School of Law

Get to Know Paula

Executive Bio

Paula Desel ’81 is a retired lawyer living in Richmond, Virginia. She earned a bachelor’s degree in political science and economics from Rice and a Juris Doctor from the University of Texas School of Law. Prior to her retirement, Paula practiced law at Baker Botts in Houston, Arnold & Porter in New York and was an in-house attorney at Altria in New York and Richmond. Paula has served on the Laureates Committee, on the Class of 1981 Annual Giving committee, including as co-chair for her 40th reunion; and as a Rice Alumni Volunteers for Admission interviewer in New York and Richmond.

What part of serving on the ARA board are you most excited about?

I'm looking forward to giving my time and skills to the place that gave me so much at an early stage of my life. I hope to bring to the ARA board the perspective of a loyal and enthusiastic alum who lives far from 6100 South Main. (There are more and more of us each year.) More selfishly, I'm excited to spend more time on campus and get to know a wide variety of fellow Rice people.

What is your favorite "Only at Rice" story or memory?

For me, it would have to be Orientation Week (as it was known then). Prior to arriving that day, I hadn't spent time on campus and knew only a couple of people at Rice. Before the week was over, I was a part of the Rice community. I met classmates who would become life-long friends. Jones advisers showed me the ropes. (I still have the mimeographed Jones College "Guide to Successful Survival" which included information "if you and your roommate decide to get a phone" - $10 a month, excluding long distance.) Faculty members spent time with me as I began to chart my path at Rice. I knew that I was in exactly the right place, and Orientation Week only confirmed that feeling. I remember thinking that I couldn't wait to get started!

If you could give one piece of advice to Rice students, what would be be?

Don't hang back; get involved with whatever interests you, both in terms of academics and extra-curricular activities. If you have a post-graduate goal (for me, it was law school), don't let it govern all of your choices at Rice. This is the time to try new things - you might find out something surprising about yourself.