Rice University's Doctoral Commencement highlights for the Class of 2024

More than 100 Rice University students were recognized during a doctoral commencement ceremony at Tudor Fieldhouse the morning of May 4. They join the more than 7,800 alumni who have earned a doctoral degree at Rice in the university’s 111-year history.

The event included a special component, the hooding of degree recipients by their directors.

“While this may be the last degree you obtain … I suspect it will for most of you … I hope you will continue your pursuit of knowledge,” President Reginald DesRoches said during his address to students and guests. “I encourage you to keep learning and acquiring news skills, wisdom and perspectives that make you a well-rounded person.

“I challenge you to continue to push yourself. Try new things. Get outside of your comfort zone. Do things that are extraordinarily hard and, perhaps,even uncomfortable. This is when you will grow intellectually and emotionally.”

Howard R. Hughes Provost Amy Dittmar also offered words of encouragement to the graduating class.

“It is almost always worth it to do the hard things,” Dittmar said. “I hope after devoting years of your lives to the concentrated study of a particular field, you will say the same.”

The graduating class shared their sentiments about reaching this milestone day.

“I’m the first Ph.D. in my family, so this is exciting,” said Adrienne Rooney ’24, art history. “Rice has really been home for 7 years now.”

“This means a lot to finally finish everything … to have everyone here who’s seen me since I was a baby,” said Brandon Alston ’24, computational and applied math. “I can finally finish my academic career that they’ve known for a long time.”

Visit the 2024 commencement photo gallery here, and use #RiceGrad2024 to tag your photos and posts.
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