2025 marks the 50th anniversary of the Wiess School of Natural Sciences as an independent school at Rice University. Throughout the year, we've celebrated this milestone and Rice's legacy of scientific discovery, innovation and impact that our students, faculty and alumni have built over the past five decades — not only at Rice, but across the globe.
We invite you to help us cap off this jubilee year with a signature event:
The 50th Anniversary Celebration and Alumni Awards Dinner
Thursday, Nov. 6 | Hotel ZaZa | Houston Museum District
5701 Main St. | Houston, TX 77005
During Rice Alumni Weekend
6:30 p.m. - Cocktail Reception
7:30 p.m. - Dinner and Awards Presentation
The festive evening will bring together Natural Sciences alumni, faculty, students and university leaders to honor our community's achievements and look ahead to an exciting future. The attire for the evening is black tie optional, and complimentary valet parking will be provided for all guests.
At the heart of the celebration will be the Natural Sciences Alumni Awards, now in their second year, recognizing alumni whose accomplishments and service exemplify the highest ideals of the school and the university.
- Meet this year's honorees
- Michael Jung ’69
- Wilfred van der Donk ’94
- Aparna Bhaduri ’10
The event will be hosted by the alumni affinity group for Natural Sciences: RAINS - Rice Alumni in Natural Sciences.
Underwriters:
- Karin and Bowen Loftin ’73
- Cathleen Trechter ’77 and Ed Biegert ’74
- Kelly and Randy Bailey ’64
- Wanda Pan ’77 and David Tocco
Join us for this unforgettable evening as we honor our past, celebrate our present and shape the future of science at Rice — together.
