Rice University President Reginald DesRoches

09/02/2026

What a wonderful story about Rice doctoral student Sean Terada Yang, whose remarkable talent at the piano is matched by an equally inspiring sense of purpose.

Sean came to music through a path that also included neuroscience and medicine, and his experiences playing live music for patients in intensive care helped shape his belief that music, like medicine, has the power to heal, connect and improve our lives.

Now, as a student at Rice’s Shepherd School of Music, he is sharing that gift on a national stage as a 2026 Young Artist in Residence with Performance Today.

I love seeing our students bring together different disciplines, interests and talents in ways that create something entirely their own. Congratulations, Sean!

https://ow.ly/Qrjg50ZIiV9

09/02/2026

Rice is experiencing extraordinary momentum because more students, faculty and research partners recognize what is possible here. We are growing intentionally to expand Rice’s impact and create opportunities for more exceptional talent to learn, discover and innovate. As our student body grows, we are making equally ambitious investments in our faculty, financial aid, student support, research and campus so that the quality and highly personalized nature of a Rice education remain defining strengths.

09/01/2026

Chabad at Rice broke ground this weekend on a new, larger Jewish Student Center, marking an exciting next chapter for Jewish life on our campus. The center will be a welcoming home where students can celebrate their traditions, explore their faith and heritage, ask difficult questions, and know they are understood and supported. It will be a space where students can walk through the doors knowing they belong — whether they are deeply connected to Jewish tradition, exploring their heritage for the first time or simply interested in learning from others. I look forward to seeing the community, conversation and connection this new center will foster for generations of Rice students.

08/31/2026

There is a lot of energy at Rice right now. More students and faculty and new residential colleges and academic spaces. We are also seeing extraordinary interest from students who want to be part of this community.

That momentum is exciting — and what matters most is how we are growing.

We are preserving the best of Rice, and we are committed to personalized scale for global impact. We are creating opportunities for more talented students to access a Rice education while protecting the intimacy that has always distinguished the Rice experience: small classes, faculty who know their students, residential colleges that become home, and a community where students are known, supported and challenged.

Rice is getting bigger, and we are determined to keep the things that make us feel connected in all the best ways.

Thank you to the Houston Chronicle for capturing this important moment for our university.

https://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston-texas/education/article/rice-university-enrollment-growth-22386836.php

New dorms, hundreds of faculty hires and a record freshman class are transforming the once-quiet campus — while Rice tries to preserve its intimate culture.

08/28/2026

New research from Rice University suggests that, in some cases, using weight loss medications may come with more judgment than not losing weight at all.

How someone loses weight can change how they’re perceived. https://bit.ly/4gyCub7

08/27/2026

One of my favorite first-day-of-class traditions is firing up the Rides with Reggie golf cart and giving as many students as I can a ride across campus. It’s a fun way to join in the excitement of a new semester — and, more importantly, to spend a few minutes hearing from our students. Their energy, optimism and fresh perspectives are a wonderful reminder of what makes the beginning of an academic year so special. Here’s to a great first day of classes and an exciting semester ahead. Go Owls!

08/27/2026

Rice’s orientation program is the official welcome for our newest Owls — and an important first impression of the community they are joining. Our O-Week coordinators make that welcome possible, spending countless hours over the summer preparing to greet our new students with energy, enthusiasm and care. It was a pleasure to honor them this week with dinner and conversation at my home and to thank them for all they do to make the start of the Rice experience so special.

08/26/2026

I enjoyed kicking off a new semester of Wellness Wednesdays with an early morning walk around the Inner Loop joined by faculty and staff. Whether you were logging your steps, catching up with colleagues or simply taking a little time to recharge, it was a great way to start the day and make time for well-being. Thanks for coming out!

08/25/2026

08/24/2026

I enjoyed welcoming our new faculty to our vibrant and growing community. Each of them brings new ideas, new perspectives and new possibilities to Rice, and we are fortunate that they have chosen to build the next chapter of their career with us. Welcome to Rice!

New faces, fresh perspectives and plenty of possibilities ahead. Rice welcomed its newest faculty members to campus as we kick off another academic year. From the classroom to the lab and beyond, they’ll bring new ideas and expertise to a university that continues to grow and evolve. https://bit.ly/4gKu6oN