‘So much love and gratitude in my heart’: Rice celebrates advanced degree graduates

Nearly 900 advanced degree recipients were celebrated May 9 as Owls walked across the stage at Tudor Fieldhouse to roars of applause and cheers, marking the culmination of their academic journeys at Rice University.

The ceremony was part of the university’s 113th commencement and honored 890 graduates receiving degrees from the George R. Brown School of Engineering and Computing, School of Humanities, Wiess School of Natural Sciences, School of Architecture, Shepherd School of Music, Jones Graduate School of Business, School of Social Sciences and Glasscock School of Continuing Studies.

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“Today, we celebrate a remarkable group of scholars — individuals who have chosen to go further, to dig deeper and to continue their education in pursuit of knowledge, discovery and impact,” President Reginald DesRoches told graduates during the ceremony.

“Each of you made the decision to push beyond what was required — to ask harder questions, to seek new answers and to grow not just in your field but as thinkers and leaders. That commitment is what brings us here today.”

DesRoches praised graduates for the discipline and perseverance required to earn advanced degrees and encouraged them to continue pursuing curiosity and collaboration in the next chapter of their lives.

“No matter where this degree takes you — to the lab, the classroom, the boardroom, the clinic or even back for another degree — I encourage you to stay curious,” he said. “Seek out the uncomfortable. Tackle big questions. Surround yourself with people who challenge your thinking. That’s where growth happens.”

Among those crossing the stage was Trae Broadnax, a member of the Rice men’s basketball team who earned a master’s degree in global affairs.

“To be able to go to school, get to finish my college career with two degrees and a master’s degree from a really prestigious university — I feel really accomplished,” Broadnax said.

Broadnax said the sense of togetherness at Rice stood out most during his time on campus. He plans to pursue professional basketball opportunities before eventually attending law school.
 

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Provost Amy Dittmar recognized the persistence and resilience required of graduate students, who must handle research, coursework and personal responsibilities to reach this point.

“I would like to offer my sincere congratulations to today’s graduates, who have worked diligently to balance numerous responsibilities with their academic and research pursuits,” Dittmar said. “Their success has required discipline, focus and endurance beyond what most of us can imagine.”

For Samantha Garza, who earned a master’s degree in architecture, the ceremony celebrated not only academic achievement but the close-knit relationships formed during her time at Rice.

“I just have so much love and gratitude in my heart, and I’m just so happy that my family could be here today and that I’m graduating with all of my friends and my cohort,” Garza said.

Garza credited Rice with providing interdisciplinary learning opportunities and international experiences, including travel and study in China. She will remain in Houston to work at SCHAUM Architects with Rice professor Troy Schaum.
 

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The ceremony also marked a meaningful milestone for Jeannette Hu, who earned a Master of Arts in teaching through the Glasscock School of Continuing Studies.

Hu, a social studies teacher at Sartartia Middle School in Fort Bend ISD who was recently named her campus’s Rookie Teacher of the Year, said she was especially grateful to participate in commencement after missing an in-person undergraduate graduation during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“I’m very proud at the moment,” Hu said. “This might be my only chance to walk the stage.”

Seiichi Matsuda, dean of graduate and postdoctoral studies, closed the ceremony by commending graduates for the dedication and resilience that brought them to commencement day.

“On behalf of the Rice faculty, I extend our congratulations to each of you,” Matsuda said. “We commend you for the talent, the commitment, the resilience and the passion that you have shown. It took all of these to master your discipline, as you have done.”

He also thanked graduates for the impact they made on the Rice community and expressed hope they would remain connected to the university in the years ahead.

“We deeply appreciate the contributions that each of you has made to strengthening and enriching the fabric of our community,” Matsuda said. “We are grateful for the opportunity to work with you.”

Visit the 2026 commencement photo gallery here, and use #RiceGrad26 to tag your photos and posts.