Ted Adams ’86: Giving Back to Rice through Leadership and Service

Ted Adams ’86 keeps a framed Christmas card featuring the Rice academic deans from the George R. Brown School of Engineering, dated around 2011, prominently next to his desk. “It reminds me of my obligation to live up to the expectations set by my mentors and those who helped shape my foundation,” he said. “It’s important to appreciate the people who taught you. I give these guys a lot of credit for what they did for me, and I want to do the same for the next generation of Rice students.”

Serving on both the Association of Rice Alumni (ARA) board and now president of the Rice Engineering Alumni (REA) board, Ted’s involvement reflects his passion for giving back to his alma mater and creating opportunities for current students and alumni alike.

His journey with the ARA board has allowed him to connect with alumni across generations and engage directly with Rice leadership, fostering a deeper understanding of the university’s goals and initiatives. “If you have ideas on how to improve the experience for alumni and the Rice campus in general, it’s important to share your voice,” Ted said. “We are able to speak with the leadership at Rice, find out what’s going on and have a meaningful dialogue. Having a leadership position with the REA and being part of the ARA, I’m able to take a lot of what the leadership at Rice say they want to accomplish and make it a priority for the REA.”

As president of the REA Board, Ted’s focus is on strengthening ties between Rice’s engineering and computing program and the business world. Ted initially got involved with the REA after years of offering internships to Rice engineering students, finding that the board’s mission of celebrating alumni and supporting students resonated deeply with him. “It’s important to believe in the cause,” he said. “For me, it’s about supporting students before and after graduation and helping them make real-world connections. I’ve always felt appreciated and felt like people listened. Ultimately, I’ve learned that at Rice, we’re all heading in the same direction. That’s a major advantage of volunteering with a group like this.”

Ted offered strategies to facilitate communication between business leaders and the Rice engineering program. Through mentorship programs and initiatives like the Summer Engineering Experience, he helped strengthen pathways for students to gain valuable work experience and connect with potential employers. “It’s essential to match resources with the needs of the consumers — business leaders in this case,” he said. “By leveraging our vast network of alumni, utilizing platforms like Indeed and LinkedIn, and teaching students how to navigate the opportunities, we can increase the chances of successful matches. It’s a win-win for both the students and the business world to reengage with Rice.”

He also is dedicated to increasing alumni engagement. “Outreach is critical,” he explained. “We invite as many alumni and REA members as possible to reconnect with Rice. If I can get people back on campus and talking to the engineering and computing school or other alumni, that’s a success. I also want to ensure we celebrate our alumni and make the REA best in class, not just within the Rice community but in their respective fields. Our alumni are doing incredible things, and we want to showcase their achievements.”

Ted’s commitment to Rice extends beyond campus. In the Washington, D.C. area, he has played a key role in organizing regional alumni events that highlight local connections, such as tours and lectures at the National Cathedral and George Washington’s Mount Vernon. For Ted, these gatherings are opportunities to celebrate the shared Rice experience and inspire fellow alumni to engage with the university in new and meaningful ways. “The bond between Rice alumni is really special,” he said. “There’s a unique relationship where you’re able to relax and relate to one another. You can have conversations with people from different majors and class years, and you still have that common bond. Rice alumni are very much cheerleaders for each other.”