Rice University inaugurated its eighth president, Reginald DesRoches, in a historic celebration Saturday, marking a new era of leadership and diversity for the 110-year-old institution.in July but marked the start of his tenure at Saturday's investiture ceremony, where he pledged to continue the major growth that has transformed Rice over the past two decades and solidified its place among top-tier American schools.
The quadrangle has become known lately for its central statue of founder William Marsh Rice, and speakers overlooked the effigy on Saturday. The irony — and even more, the significance — of DesRoches’ presidency cannot be overlooked, said Ruth Simmons, president of Prairie View A&M University and a former Rice trustee.
DesRoches was born in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, and raised in Queens, N.Y., by parents who each worked multiple jobs to provide for the family. He pursued a degree in mechanical engineering at the University of California, Berkeley, where he also received his master’s and doctorate degrees. And as provost, DesRoches amplified the school’s research efforts, prioritized faculty and student diversity and helped lead the university through the pandemic, he added.“In each of these roles, your personal attributes shined through — an ability to listen and connect, to be authentic in action, to build trust and lead by example,” Ladd told DesRoches. “With a devotion to family and passion for service, I’ll say, I have observed you have lived an exemplary life.
Source: Education Headlines (educationheadlines.net)