Dear colleagues,
As we conclude another academic year, I want to take a moment to reflect on the past months—a period marked by challenges but also rich in achievements. I am deeply grateful for your resilience and steadfast commitment. Your efforts are the cornerstone of our academic and community successes, and I truly appreciate your hard work.
Commencement
Our 111th Commencement was a tapestry of beautiful moments that not only celebrated our students and their families but also underscored the meticulous effort of our team. From ensuring the comfort of each attendee with thoughtful gestures like providing water bottles at every seat, to the seamless orchestration behind the scenes - your contributions create a nurturing environment where everyone feels they belong. Thank you for leading the way in cultivating a community of care for our students, their families, and our faculty and staff.
Celebrating Service Milestones
This year, we honored the long-standing service of 134 OF&S team members. These milestones total 1,615 years of combined service - a reflection of your dedication and commitment to Rice and our mission.
| OF&S Employee | Years of Service |
|---|---|
| Ronilio Abacan, F&CP Plant Operations | 30 |
| Elezar Alejandro, F&CP Grounds | 30 |
| Ricardo Cruz, Delivery Services | 30 |
| Alba Marquez, H&D Residential Colleges | 30 |
| Glenn Moore, F&CP Plant Operations | 30 |
| Norma Elam, F&CP Custodial Services | 35 |
| Fidel Gonzales, F&CP Custodial Services | 35 |
| Lupe Reyna, H&D Residential Colleges | 45 |
Congratulations to Lupe Reyna for 45 years of dedicated service in Housing & Dining. Thank you for your service, Lupe!
Campus Awards and Recognition
I am proud to congratulate four members of the OF&S division who received recognition from the campus community. Thank you for your dedicated service and for exemplifying Operational Excellence in all you do for our community.
- Dr. Richard Baker was the sole recipient of the 2024 Graduate Liberal Studies John Freeman Faculty Mentoring Award, an honor given to faculty who have significantly contributed to advising graduate liberal arts students.
- Kristianna Bowles received the Hudspeth Award for her exceptional contributions supporting the student organization RISE Today (Rice Initiative for a Sustainable and Ethical Today). RISE Today is committed to raising awareness within the Rice community about the global impacts of conscious consumerism, Fair Trade, and anti-human trafficking efforts.
- Lieutenant Thomas Hudak was the recipient of the Outstanding DOU Partner Award. Tom was recognized for being a critical partner to the Dean of Undergraduates (DOU) division and for his service to DOU staff and Rice students.
- Armindina Ramos received the inaugural Staff Excellence Award. Recognized by her peers for exemplifying the RICE values,Armindina’s nomination noted her leadership, organization, and compassion were “instrumental to H&D’s success during the height of the COVID pandemic.”
Join me in congratulating Richard, Kristianna, Tom, and Armindina when you see them on campus.
All my best to you,
Kelly