Four Rice Engineering alumni are among the 2024 Rice University Laureates Award recipients.
The Laureates Awards Program was created by the Association of Rice Alumni in 1937 to recognize distinguished alumni for their professional accomplishments and community service.
The Gold Medal is the highest award given by the Association of Rice Alumni and recognizes an alumnus who has demonstrated a deep dedication to Rice University. Albert Kidd ’64, ’65 is a recipient of the 2024 Gold Medal.
Kidd received his bachelor of arts and bachelor of science in mechanical engineering and served Rice alongside his executive career at Exxon. He spent years of service as a board member of the School of Engineering and also supported the Shepherd School, the Baker Institute, the Glasscock School of Continuing Studies, the Moody Center and the School of Humanities.
His dedication to Rice is further marked by two terms on the Association of Rice Alumni Board (including one year of presidency) and service on Rice’s Board of Governors as an Alumni Governor. As a long-term Board of Trustees member and trustee emeritus, he served on the Buildings and Grounds Committee for 31 years.
The Distinguished Alumni Award honors alumni who have advanced the interest and standards of excellence of Rice University through distinctive professional or volunteer careers. Engineering alumni Travis McPhail and Talithia Williams are recipients of the 2024 Distinguished Alumni Awards.
Travis McPhail ’04, ’07, ’11 is an engineering executive in the geospatial field and a champion for diversity and inclusion in the technology industry.
At Rice, McPhail completed undergraduate degrees in both computer science and electrical engineering and a master’s degree and a Ph.D. in computer science. He began his career at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Schlumberger and IHS before he went on to work on Google Maps and Google Earth.
McPhail is known for leading Google designers, engineers, and other members of the Black Googler Network in the development of a 3D exhibit for the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture. A dedicated STEM inclusion advocate, he also championed Google’s HBCU engagement to foster tech talent through internship opportunities.
Talithia Williams ’07 ’08 earned her master’s degree and Ph.D. in statistics from Rice University.
She is recognized by the Joint Policy Board for Mathematics for making mathematics and statistics accessible to millions through her work as a TV host, renowned speaker, and author of the book “Power in Numbers: The Rebel Women of Mathematics.” She is nationally known for her TED Talk, “Own Your Body’s Data,” in which she equips a mass audience to use statistics — by measuring and recording simple data daily — to take ownership over their health.
As a researcher, Williams has worked with the World Health Organization to develop a cataract model that improves predictions for cataract surgical rates in African countries. Williams is an associate professor of mathematics and the Mathematics Clinic Director at Harvey Mudd College and made history as the first Black woman tenured at the institution.
The Meritorious Service Award recognizes significant and sustained voluntary contributions that advance Rice University. Engineering alumna Wanda Gass ’78 is honored with this award, along with her husband, Richard Gass ’78, ’79.
Wanda Gass earned her B.S. in electrical engineering from Rice University and enjoyed a 31-year career at Texas Instruments. She was named to the Consumer Technology Hall of Fame in 2022 for her role in developing Texas Instruments’ first commercially viable digital signal processor.
Gass has served as a Rice University trustee, an advisory board member of the School of Engineering, and a member of the Association of Rice Alumni Board. She was one of the organizers of the Rice Engineering Alumni chapter of the Dallas-Fort Worth area and has served as a leader in the group alongside her husband.
Together, Wanda and Richard Gass have made a significant impact on Rice University through their leadership, service, and donations to the university and membership in the William Marsh Rice Society.
The Laureates Awards will be formally presented at the Association of Rice Alumni reception and dinner at the Post Oak Hotel in Houston on May 2.