Default | NEWS

10/24/2008

Nov. 7 picnic and Town Hall meeting will launch campaign

BY B.J. ALMOND
Rice News staff

In a few weeks, Rice will be announcing details of its landmark Centennial Campaign to raise the funds needed to achieve the Vision for the Second Century (V2C). As Rice gears up for the public phase of the campaign, excitement on campus is rising -- and so are the tents.

	Students, staff and faculty are invited to the picnic, which will feature a performance by the indie rock band The National on the Central Quad.

Starting Oct. 27, workers will set up tents on the West Quad by Jamail Plaza in preparation for campaign-related events, including the All-Rice Picnic that will be held Nov. 7 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Prior to the picnic, President David Leebron will host a Town Hall meeting for faculty and staff at 10 a.m. in Janice and Robert McNair Hall's Shell Auditorium. The president will discuss the campaign plans, provide a progress report on the V2C and other Rice priorities, and answer questions from the audience.

Students, staff and faculty are invited to the picnic, which will feature a performance by the indie rock band The National on the Central Quad.

The Centennial Campaign launch festivities will be complemented by Rice's Homecoming & Reunion Nov. 7-9. The university is expecting a record number of alumni and friends on campus to celebrate Rice's history and to officially launch the fundraising effort.

"Rice is at a pivotal juncture in its history," Leebron said. "As we look back on the successes of the past century and ahead to the next 100 years, you cannot help feeling that the best is yet to come. We all have a stake in this university's future, and I'm very much looking forward to sharing a momentous weekend of activities with our students, faculty, staff, alumni and other friends."

Rice will celebrate its centennial in 2012. The fundraising campaign will run through the 2012-13 academic year.