Charitable event participant (Habitat for Humanity; food bank; nature trail cleanup; etc.), DFW ARA Board member and chapter president, event coordinator, RCEL mentor, Rice Externship hostWhen did you start volunteering for Rice? How long have you been a volunteer?
I began volunteering in 2012 when I retired to Dallas from the U.S. Marines and Michelle Vobach asked me to get involved with the DFW chapter of the Association of Rice Alumni. Previously, I also participated in some Rice events that were organized around the country, most notably Habitat for Humanity home construction projects organized by the DC chapter of the ARA when I lived in Washington in the early '90's.
Why do you volunteer for Rice?
1. Giving back to the university
2. When mentoring and hosting externs, I am looking to expose Rice students to opportunities at Southwest Airlines they may not otherwise be aware of.
What do you enjoy most about volunteering at Rice?
Giving back to the university and maintaining a connection to Rice.
What's a fun Rice fact about you?
Not sure if it qualifies as a fun fact, but I applied to Rice on the advice of my orthodontist, who took remarkable pride in where his patients attended college. Additionally, after being admitted to Rice, I discovered a part of an essay that I'd written for my application (this was before PCs, so I'd typed it on a typewriter) I'd forgotten to include in the application. Can only imagine what the admissions committee thought of that. Not sure that would fly today!
What would you say to your fellow alumni/parents/friends to encourage them to volunteer for Rice?
Just do it!!