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.

Inside the hedges of Rice University, an accepting campus culture permeates, fostering an ingrained sense of belonging – no matter your interest.

The bond between Rice alumni is special. We are a small,unique community with a worldwide reach, and the connections we make during our time on campus endure long after we graduate.

Judge Jason Luong ’97 is the elected Judge for the 185th District Court, making him the first Vietnamese American and first Asian American elected as a criminal district court judge in Harris County and in Texas. Luong credits Rice for giving him the solid academic and ethical foundation he needed to serve effectively as a district court judge. We spoke to Judge Luong recently about his career and how Rice prepared him for success.

Monique Shankle ’86 and Toya Cirica Bell ’87 share reflections on the past year and what we’re anticipating in 2022-23.

Have you ever stopped to think about who manages the amenities at our national parks, repairs the bridges and access roads, or more specifically, installs the cave lights in Oregon Caves National Monument? Beatrice Eleazar ’06, ’08, an architect for the Pacific West regional office of the National Parks Service, has traveled across the west coast to remote corners of the nation to enhance our parks and to preserve some of the most spectacular natural features and wildlife in the United States.

Timing is everything. This idea applies to life, relationships, jumping rope, cooking meat — and it’s what Keshav Wagle ’22 preaches to his students as they write, practice and hone their comedic personas in his student-taught course, COLL 149: Stand-up (Comedy) For Yourself.

A steel statue and a devastating loss inspired Bill Kendall ’55 to seize a unique opportunity. Today, that same statue reminds him of the resiliency and strength of the Rice community in one of the hardest years to date.

With these tips from a current Rice parent, you'll feel prepared to help your Owl leave the nest. You've got this!

The Office of Alumni Relations has one simple goal: to keep you connected to Rice. Meet each team member to hear what they enjoy most about fostering close-knit community for Owls everywhere. Check back later to meet more members of our team!