Rice Alumni Pride (RAP) is Rice's unified group for all gender and sexually diverse alumni and allies, including lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and intersex alumni. RAP supports and promotes the interests of Rice University and its alumni with an emphasis on issues specific to the LGBTQIA community. Membership is open to Rice alumni and ally friends.
RAP leads a variety of programs and initiatives, including:
- Selecting and awarding the Rice Alumni Pride scholarship to students annually.
- Hosting an annual Alumni Weekend reception.
- Supporting and participating in Rice's march in the Houston Pride Parade.
- Mentoring students and hosting career panels to provide insight and advice from alumni on being LGBTQ+ in the workplace.
- Organizing networking programs with other universities and LGBTQIA groups.
- Developing programs to educate and build allyship in the Rice community while celebrating and affirming LGBTQ+ students.
Volunteer Leadership
Members of RAP leadership typically hold two-year terms starting and ending around the time of the homecoming reception. We also fill empty positions on a rolling basis and welcome anyone interested in joining the leadership team or getting involved to contact us at rap@ricealumni.net throughout the year.
Rice Alumni Pride Leadership
Board Chair – Kendall Toarmina (Martel '10 and MBA '17)
Vice Chair – Open Role
Director of Membership – Shannon Wright (Martel ‘04)
Director of Finances – David Paul (MBA '24)
Director of Fundraising & Stewardship – Colton Larsen (MBA '25)
Director of Communications & Social Media – Brendon Bailey (Baker '02)
Director of Student Engagement – Brandon Mack (Wiess '06)
Directors of the Student Award – David Paul (MBA '24)
Pride Parade Event Director – Tamara L. Siler (Brown '87)
Board Member At Large – Linton D. Stables, III (Will Rice '74)
LGBT History at Rice
You're invited to view this RAP-sponsored discussion about the growth and development of the LGBT community at Rice, including a historical overview, first-person accounts of campus experiences and a look at recent advances and efforts on campus. The talk featured Annise Parker ’78 and Brian Riedel '05.
Support RAP
The Rice Alumni Pride fund makes possible a wide array of programs for LGBTQ+ alumni and students. Rice Alumni worldwide support the University and its LGBTQ+ and other marginalized students, faculty, and staff. Your donation helps fund:
- Speakers, lunches, Houston’s annual Pride parade, Rice’s Alumni Weekend, as well as other events that welcome and affirm LGBTQ+ students.
- Support for space and programming for the Queer Resource Center, helping students live as their authentic selves in the Rice community.
- Assistance and guidance so that Rice’s LGBTQ+ graduates can thrive in the workplace.
ASSOCIATION OF RICE
ALUMNI - MS 520
P.O. BOX 1892
HOUSTON, TX 77251-1892
PHONE: 713-348-4057
FAX: 713-348-5210
EMAIL: ALUMNI@RICE.EDU
