Ping Sun urges Rice faculty, staff to get involved in community

Ping Sun urges Rice faculty, staff to get involved in community

By Franz Brotzen
Rice News Staff

Rice University representative Y. Ping Sun called on members of the Rice community to get involved in organizations that better the lives of Houstonians during an “Ask the Expert” talk Dec. 5.

Y. Ping Sun called on members of the Rice community to get involved in organizations that better the lives of Houstonians. JEFF FITLOW

Speaking to an audience at Duncan Hall, Sun, the wife of Rice President David Leebron, recounted her experiences growing up in China and her arrival in the United States on a scholarship to Princeton University. That scholarship led her to a new world, and now she contributes to her alma mater because “it’s my turn to give back,” she said.

In her three-and-a-half years in Houston, Sun has been giving back a lot. She hosts “Something New for Lunch at Rice University,” a program that invites faculty members to explain their academic pursuits to the wider community. She is a director of Texas Children’s Hospital, the Asia Society (Houston chapter) and Teach For America (Houston Regional Board). She serves on the boards of the Asian Film Festival and the Asian Chamber of Commerce. She is also a member of the Governing Council at the Shepherd School of Music at Rice University and an honorary chair of the Baker Institute Roundtable at Rice. She helps with strategic planning at her children’s school, St. John’s School.

Along with so many commitments, Sun practices law part time at the firm of Yetter & Warden LLP. “My only complaint is there are only 24 hours in a day,” she said.

Sun accepted a new challenge when she recently agreed to be on the board of the United Way of Houston. “The United Way does so much to empower people in our community so they can give back to the community later,” she said. “I encourage all of you to contribute.”

Sun also volunteers her time in less formal settings. She participates in the Wednesday Chinese-language table with Rice students whenever possible and has given guest lectures in several classes. “I feel my role at Rice is to share whatever experiences I have that may help students,” she said.

Off campus, she spoke a couple of years ago to predominantly minority students at Jackson Middle School, impressing on them the need to prepare for college, even at their age. Pointing to her own experiences, Sun highlighted the importance of education, hoping to “plant something in their minds” about the possibility of attending a university like Rice.

Asked about her ideas for new opportunities for greater engagement with the city of Houston, which is one of the goals of the Vision for the Second Century, Sun suggested a program that would utilize Rice’s alumni base, inviting one or two alumni to explain to potential students what their Rice education meant to them.

The next “Ask the Expert” session will be Feb. 6, when a representative from Public Affairs will answer audience questions.