Applause, applause for Rice grad and Latina powerhouse Sofia Adrogué and David Medina, Rice grad and the university's director of multicultural community relations, who co-chaired "The Latino Expereince at Rice, A Centennial Gala," saluting the university's prestigious graduates of Latino heritage.
The sellout event, part of the university's on-going centennial celebrations, began at James Turrell's "Twilight Epiphany" Skyspace and continued with dinner and dancing at Rice Memorial Center.
Headlining the evening was George P. Bush, class of '98, who was joined in the program by Rice president David Leebron and honoree Rice professor Richard Tapia, recipient of the National Medal of Science. Tapia was recognized for his championship of inclusiveness and diversity.
The program included the commemorative film Reflexiones: The Latino Experience at Rice, created by award-winning Rice alumi Austin Lipinski. The film was sponsored by Adrogué and husband Sten Gustafson.
The evening was orchestrated by the Rice University Hispanic Centennial Committee, comprised of alumni Dorothy Caram, Geraldina Interiano Wise, José Leal, Leira Morena Gracia, Tony Castillega Jr., Adrogué and Medina and associate professor of English José Aranda.
Joining in the centennial evening were Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst and Tricia Dewhurst, Rice Board of Trustees chairman Jim Crownover and Molly Crownover, legendary baseball coach Wayne Graham, former County Commissioner Sylvia Garcia and Y. Ping Sun.
