Top 10 Notable Alumni of Rice University

Rice University is a well-known private research university located in Houston, Texas. Founded in 1912, it has a strong reputation for its excellent academic programs and vibrant campus life. Rice is especially recognized for its focus on research and innovation, offering many degrees in different fields. The beautiful campus has huge buildings and a friendly atmosphere that helps students succeed. 

Over the years, Rice University has produced many notable alumni who have made important contributions in areas like science, technology, business, and the arts. Each one of the notable alumni of Rice University has made the university proud. Below, you can explore the list of Rice University notable alumni.

List of 50+ Rice University Notable Alumni

Rice University is a respected university that has helped many students become successful in their careers. Many talented people have graduated from Rice, including astronauts, Nobel Prize winners, CEOs, and famous authors. These alumni have made a big difference in areas like science, business, and the arts. Check out the list of notable alumni from Rice University now.

Alumni Name	Alumni Profession
Howard Hughes	Film Producer, Entrepreneur, Aerospace Engineer, Aircraft Pilot
Joyce Carol Oates	Novelist, Children’s Writer, Diarist, University Teacher, Poet
George P. Bush	Lawyer, Teacher, Politician, Military Officer, Businessperson
Glenn Youngkin	Business Executive, Politician
Anthony Rendon	Baseball Player
Ali Koç	Businessperson, International Forum Participant
Candace Bushnell	Writer, Novelist, Columnist, Essayist, Journalist
Larry McMurtry	Author, Historian, Writer, Opinion Journalist, Businessperson
Peggy Whitson	Biochemist, Astronaut
Josh Earnest	Press Secretary, Journalist
Lola Astanova	Pianist, Composer, Record Producer
Jim Bridenstine	Politician, Military Officer, Consultant
Ben Rhodes	Political Adviser, Writer, Speechwriter, Advisor
Alberto Gonzales	Politician, Judge, Lawyer
John Doerr	Businessperson, Computer Scientist
Jiankui He	Physicist, Biologist, Geneticist, Biomedical Engineer
Luke Willson	American Football Player, Baseball Player
L. Patrick Gray	Military Officer
Lance Berkman	Baseball Player
Brock Holt	Baseball Player
Chris Boswell	American Football Player
David Eagleman	Author, University Teacher, Psychologist, Neuroscientist
Caroline Shaw	Singer, Violinist, Composer
Andrew Sendejo	American Football Player
Robert Wilson	Researcher, Physicist, Astronomer
Annise Parker	Politician
Shannon Walker	Astrophysicist, Physicist, Astronaut
Joe Wong	Comedian, Television Presenter, Research Scientist
Dean Ornish	Physician, Nutritionist
Vance McDonald	American Football Player
Gus Sorola	Event Producer, Screenwriter, Television Producer, Actor
Steve Jackson	Writer, Game Designer, Businessperson, Role-Playing Game Designer
Dominic Lee Tsz-king	Politician
James Craig	Television Actor, Screenwriter, Film Actor, Actor
Tommy Kramer	American Football Player
Larry Izzo	American Football Player
Philip Humber	Baseball Player
Dennis Sullivan	University Teacher, Topologist, Mathematician
Elizabeth Moon	Novelist, Science Fiction Writer, Writer, Military Officer
Richard Smalley	Chemist, Professor, Scientist
Takao Doi	Engineer, Astronaut
Arsalan Kazemi	Basketball Player
Warren Robinett	Computer Scientist, Engineer, Programmer
John Danny Olivas	Engineer, Astronaut
Richard Smalley	Chemist, Professor, Scientist
Candace Bushnell	Writer, Novelist, Columnist, Essayist, Journalist
Glenn Youngkin	Business Executive, Politician
Annise Parker	Politician
Peggy Whitson	Biochemist, Astronaut
David Eagleman	Author, University Teacher, Psychologist, Neuroscientist

Also Read: The University of Pennsylvania Notable Alumni

Howard Hughes

Howard Robard Hughes Jr. was an American aerospace engineer, business magnate, film producer, investor, philanthropist, and pilot. He attended Rice University (then known as Rice Institute) in 1924 but dropped out shortly after his father’s death that year. 

Category	Details
Name	Howard Robard Hughes Jr.
Profession	Aerospace engineer, business magnate, film producer, investor, philanthropist
Degree from Rice University	Attended Rice University but did not complete a degree; dropped out in 1924.
Achievements	— Set multiple aviation records — Produced iconic films like Hell’s Angels and Scarface — Founded the Howard Hughes Medical Institute and more.

Joyce Carol Oates

Joyce Carol Oates is an American writer. She has won many awards for her writing, including the National Book Award, for her novel them (1969), two O. Henry Awards, the National Humanities Medal, and the Jerusalem Prize (2019). She completed her MA from Rice University.

Particulars	Details
Name	Joyce Carol Oates
Profession	Novelist, short story writer, poet, playwright, essayist.
Degree	MA
Achievements	— Four O. Henry Awards — National Humanities MedalJerusalem Prize (2019)

Frank Ryan

Frank Beall Ryan was an American professional football player who was a quarterback in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Rice Owls and graduated from Rice University with a Doctor of Philosophy degree. 

Particulars	Details
Name	Frank Ryan
Profession	Professional Football Player & Mathematician
Degree	Ph.D. in Mathematics (1965)
Achievements	— Led Cleveland Browns to their most recent NFL title in 1964

Linda Coffee

Linda Coffee is a notable lawyer who graduated from Rice University. She played a significant role in the landmark case Roe v. Wade, which established a woman’s right to choose abortion in the United States. Coffee’s work has had a lasting impact on women’s rights and legal history. In 1965, she graduated from Rice University with a Bachelor of Arts degree. 

Particulars	Details
Name	Linda Coffee
Profession	Lawyer
Degree	Bachelor of Arts
Achievements	— Argued the Roe v. Wade case before the U.S. Supreme Court in 1970, establishing the constitutional right to abortion. — Worked as a clerk for Judge Sarah T. Hughes, the first woman appointed as a federal judge in Texas.

Also Read: Columbia University Notable Alumni

Gong Byeong-ho

Gong Byeong-ho is a South Korean economist and author who earned his Ph.D. in Economics from Rice University in 1987. He has written several books on self-management and economics, and he is the president of the Gong Institute. Gong is also known for his interest in Ancient Greek philosophy and has published works interpreting famous philosophers. 

Particulars	Details
Name	Gong Byeong-ho
Profession	Economist, Author
Degree	Ph.D. in Economics (1987)
Achievements	— Authored over 100 books on various topics, including economics and philosophy. — Established the Gong Institute for research and education.

Jeffrey A. Hoffman

Jeffrey Alan Hoffman is an American former NASA astronaut and currently a professor of aeronautics and astronautics at MIT. Jeffrey A. Hoffman completed a masters degree in materials science from Rice University.

Particulars	Details
Name	Jeffrey A. Hoffman
Profession	NASA Astronaut (former)
Degree	Master’s in Materials Science (1988)
Achievements	— Five-time NASA Space Flight Medal recipient — NASA Exceptional Service Medal recipient — NASA Distinguished Service Medal recipient

R. Bowen Loftin

R. Bowen Loftin is an accomplished American physicist and academic. He earned his Ph.D. in physics from Rice University in 1975. Loftin served as the 24th president of Texas A&M University and later became the chancellor of the University of Missouri. He is recognized for his contributions to education and research.

Particulars	Details
Name	R. Bowen Loftin
Profession	Physicist and Academic
Degree	M.A. in Physics (1973) and Ph.D. in Physics (1975)
Achievements	— 24th President of Texas A&M University — Chancellor of the University of Missouri — NASA Public Service Medal

Also Read: University of Texas at Austin Notable Alumni

He Jiankui

He Jiankui is a Chinese biophysicist known for his controversial work in gene editing. He received his Ph.D. in biophysics from Rice University in 2010. Jiankui gained international attention in 2018 when he announced the birth of genetically edited twins, sparking a global ethical debate about the implications of gene editing technology.

Particulars	Details
Name	He Jiankui
Profession	Biophysicist
Degree	Ph.D. in Biophysics (2010)
Achievements	— Created the first genetically edited babies using CRISPR technology. — Listed in Time magazine’s 100 Most Influential People of 2019. — Served a three-year prison sentence for unethical research practices.

John Doerr

John Doerr is a prominent venture capitalist and a key figure in Silicon Valley. He graduated from Rice University with a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering in 1973 and a Master of Engineering in 1974. Doerr has invested in numerous successful tech companies, including Google and Amazon, and is known for his advocacy of the OKR (Objectives and Key Results) management framework.

Particulars	Details
Name	John Doerr
Profession	Created the first genetically edited babies using CRISPR technology.Listed in Time magazine’s 100 Most Influential People of 2019.Served a three-year prison sentence for unethical research practices.
Degree	Ph.D. in Biophysics (2010)
Achievements	— Created the first genetically edited babies using CRISPR technology. — Listed in Time magazine’s 100 Most Influential People of 2019. — Served a three-year prison sentence for unethical research practices.

Also Read: Notable Alumni of Purdue University

Annise Parker

Annise Parker served as the 61st Mayor of Houston, Texas, from 2010 to 2016. She graduated from Rice University in 1978 with a Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology. Parker was the first openly lesbian mayor of a major U.S. city and has been a strong advocate for LGBTQ+ rights and urban development during her political career.

Particulars	Details
Name	Annise Parker
Profession	Advocate
Degree	Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology
Achievements	First openly LGBTQ mayorRecognized by Time magazine.

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