Since I joined Rice in 2004, O-Week has been one of my favorite times of the year, even with the Houston heat and humidity in August. It’s when the campus comes alive again with the energy of returning and new faculty and students after the summer's quiet.
This year’s O-Week was particularly special for me, as my wife and I helped our daughter move into Sid Richardson to begin her studies at Rice. After twenty years on the faculty, this was the first time I saw Rice from a parent’s perspective, and it gave me a deeper appreciation for how unique and wonderful this place truly is. I am thrilled to extend a warm welcome to each of you as we embark on a new academic year in this exceptional place.
This year is also particularly special for the Engineering community at Rice, as it marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of the George R. Brown School of Engineering. While engineering has been part of Rice since its inception, it only became an independent unit in 1975, thanks to a generous endowment from the Brown Foundation. We will celebrate our school’s excellence and vibrant community with a special event on March 28-29, 2025, and by commemorating our rich history in a special book. Please mark your calendars!
What has driven and sustained our excellence for fifty years? It’s our people, mission, and culture. Over the decades, the creativity of our faculty and students, the dedication of our administrative staff, and the generous support of our alumni and friends have been the driving force behind this exceptional school. Our faculty, students, and alumni have led groundbreaking engineering innovations across various sectors, including communities, health, education, energy, materials, and computing.
United by a mission of solving for greater good, our focus has been on addressing the world’s most pressing challenges through innovative research and training the next generation of problem solvers. This mission grounds our work in fundamental principles while emphasizing our commitment to improving lives. It also places people at the heart of everything we do—whether we’re training individuals, serving communities, or conducting research.
Moreover, our culture of care sets us apart. It’s a culture that embraces everyone who wishes to join our community, values the unique perspectives each person brings, and treats everyone with respect. To ensure fifty more years of excellence, we must continue to embrace these values of people, mission, and culture.
After fifty years of transformational research, unparalleled education, and dedicated service to humanity, I like to think that the world is a little better because of the George R. Brown School of Engineering. Happy golden jubilee to our remarkable school! Here’s to many more years of continued excellence.
The Message from the Dean of Engineering at Rice University is published quarterly during the academic year, and is shared with our students, faculty, staff and friends.