We must provide the spaces and facilities that will cultivate greater dynamism and vibrancy on the campus and foster our sense of community.
The Brochstein Pavilion and the student-operated Rice Coffeehouse have become the go to places for small group meetings, studying, conversations between faculty and students, and interactions with community members coming to campus for a walk, concert or conference. The Barbara and David Gibbs Recreation and Wellness Center is utilized by students, faculty and staff to promote physical activity. The Rice Public Art Program is vibrant and visible, with a number of major works of art, including the Suzanne Deal Booth Centennial Pavilion and James Turrell’s “Twilight Epiphany” Skyspace. There has also been a renaissance in athletics facilities, particularly for tennis, swimming, track, soccer, basketball and volleyball, and we recently opened the Brian Patterson Sports Performance Center at the north end of Rice Stadium. The new Anderson–Clarke Center became the home to the Glasscock School of Continuing Studies, which this year celebrates 50 years of lifelong learning.
