Rice Alumni Stories

Rice Owls are known for their inspired ingenuity, passionate pursuit of excellence and endless exploration of new ideas. Here are just a few examples of how members of our Rice community are putting Rice’s values into action long after they leave campus. Submit your Rice Story here.

At the Houston Museum of Natural Science, guests can stare into the gaping mouth of a 53-foot megalodon and admire the raw power of a prehistoric beast. For many onlookers, it's like stepping into another world — a sensation that Logan Beck ’09, the imaginative creator of this primal exhibition, first discovered at Rice University.

A former heptathlete for Rice, Lisa Ferdinand ’86 was known for running, throwing and jumping high and far. Although injuries cut her athletic career short, she continued to make huge leaps forward — as a pioneering figure in the world of international race starters. This past summer, her journey reached new heights when she became the first woman to start the men’s 100-meter race at the 2024 Paris Olympics.

The excitement of a new school year is here. Rice University has welcomed the class of 2028 to campus and is celebrating the fact that Forbes has named your alma mater as one of the top 10 universities in the country, a fact that all of you already knew long ago.

“Rice is a special place.” That’s a phrase I often hear from Rice alumni, Rice students and their families, current and former Houstonians, and anyone who has spent even a few minutes on campus.

For many Rice Owls, the tree-lined university is the backdrop for learning, friendships and personal growth. For Chris Reed ’77, ’79, his Rice journey was deeply intertwined with the campus itself.

Tania Min '90, '92 and David Mansouri ’07 share reflections on the past year and what we’re anticipating in 2024-25.

What an exciting and busy spring season we’ve had at Rice! I’ve had the pleasure of meeting with many of you on campus and in my travels, and I am constantly impressed by the enthusiasm, insight and commitment of the Rice alumni community. Thank you for partnering with the Office of Alumni Relations to enrich the alumni experience and to contribute to the excellence of the university.  

For many Owls, the hedges serve as a backdrop of foundational experiences: life lessons, friendships, even the beginnings of their career journey. But for some Owls, Rice is also the place they found their other half. February is the perfect month to feature these Rice lovebirds.

I hope this newsletter finds you restored after a peaceful and joyous holiday season. A recent comment from Quincy Olivari ’23 epitomizes what it means to be a Rice alumnus: "Owl for life.” That, my friends, is you and me.