Mission Statement

The Student Center and Campus-Wide Programs builds community and fosters loyalty to Rice University through programs; services and facilities that provide student development opportunities.

Student Center and Campus Wide Programs – Who Is Who 12

Student Center Who Is Who 12 – Partners

Student Center Staff

Timothy Abraham
Facilities Coordinator

I am a native Texan born and raised here in Houston. After completing high school I attended Lamar University as an engineering major. I later went on to start a small trucking company that transported oil field equipment. I came to Rice as a member of the custodial SWAT team in 2003, and six months later I moved to the Student Center and was placed in charge of event set-up. In March of 2007, I was promoted to Facilities Coordinator where I am now responsible for special events, key distribution, safety issues, a/v rental, and scheduling maintenance. In my off-time I enjoy fishing and riding four wheelers and dirt bikes with my 2 boys.

Phone: (713) 348-3777
tabraham@rice.edu

Boyd Beckwith
Assistant Dean/Director

Hired as the Director of the Student Center in 1998, I also served as the Director of the Recreation Center from 2001-‘07. In 2008 when the Recreation Center began reporting to Athletics I was asked to take on the role of Director of Campus-wide Programs instead. Now I have the opportunity to advise the Rice Program Council, coordinate the Passport to Houston program and oversee the operation of the Student Center. It was my experience as a member of the Concerts Committee of the University Activities Organization when I was student at BGSU that led me to my 20+ year career in Student Affairs.

Kerim Davis
Assistant Director, Student Businesses

Larry Garvey
Office Assistant 

I hail from Dublin, Ireland, and have a 21 year old son, Lorcan, (Gaelic for Larry) attending FH Aachen for his Erasmus year in Germany, doing International Business and German. I moved over to Houston in May 2009 and married Tammy, a native Texan through and through. As the new Office Assistant, I am looking forward to helping all of you who come up to the second floor of the Student Center to get what you need from us there. Before moving to Houston, I worked for Ulster Bank in Ireland and am excited to be working in such an interesting place as Rice University, with its beautiful campus, lively atmosphere, and above all, excellent students and staff.

Phone: (713) 348-3064
lfg3@rice.edu

Henny Halliburton
Business & Events Manager

I started working at Rice in 1999 and after having a few “homes” on campus I’m now at the Student Center. I love interacting with students and thoroughly enjoy the academic and social student life on campus. In July 2006, I had the privilege of becoming one of the Resident Associates (RAs) at Hanszen College. Yeahhh Hanszen!!! I have a BBA in Marketing from the University of Houston. I’m a native Chilean who came to visit the U.S. during my third year at the Universidad de Chile in Santiago. I wanted to become an English teacher, so I took a leave for a year to travel and develop my language skills. Once in the States, however, I fell in love and I never returned for good to Chile.  Now, I go back every year during the winter break to visit, and to keep up with my Spanish. 

Phone: (713) 348-3778
scevents@rice.edu

Julie Neisler
Assistant Director, Programs

As the newest Student Center staff member, I am excited to join the team!  I was born in Charleston, South Carolina, but grew up in Charlotte, North Carolina.  I got my undergraduate degrees in Psychology and Management & Society from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC).  I earned my masters in Higher Education from Florida State University in Tallahassee, Florida where I gained an appreciation for campus programming and the HOT temperatures the South boasts!  My background is in University Housing, but I hope to do more with my passions for student advising and assessment.  My favorite sport to play is Ultimate Frisbee, but my favorites to watch are college basketball and rugby.  I enjoy working out, reading, and watching some of my favorite shows like Grey’s Anatomy, Modern Family, and Glee.  I’m looking forward to learning to be a Texan!

Phone: (713) 348-3713
julie.j.neisler@rice.edu

Erin Dement Willey
Assistant Director, Marketing

I joined the Rice Student Center family in 2008 and am learning more and more each day. I have a B.A. in Graphic Design from St. Edward’s University in Austin, Texas.  I have the privilege of advising Willy’s Pub, Rice Coffeehouse, The Hoot, the Visual Arts Program, and the Rice Program Council. When I am not at Rice, I enjoy traveling, cooking, reading about design, and spending time with my husband.

Phone: (713) 348-3530
ed7@rice.edu

About

The facilities that comprise the Student Center include the Rice Memorial Center (RMC), built through the generosity of friends and alumni and dedicated on Homecoming weekend in 1958. The Rice Memorial Chapel, built through the generosity of the Rayzor family, was dedicated at the same time. The Ley Student Center (LSC) was added later to the west end of the building through similar generosity by the Ley family in honor of their parents, and was dedicated in 1986.

The Student Center is a department within the Dean of Undergraduates Division as well as a proud member of Region 12 of the Association of College Unions International.