Unconventional students at Rice 2018: Martin Rather makes a name for himself

For years, Dan Rather’s name was at the top of the list of the nation’s leading broadcast journalists. A generation of Americans grew up watching him every night on “CBS Evening News” years before cable, social media and on-demand entertainment became sources of information. But many students entering Rice University in 2015 with Rather’s grandson, Martin Rather, were unaware of the Rather name and the fame that went with it.

Fast-forward three years and Martin Rather is graduating a year early from Rice with degrees in sport management and history. Tucked behind the hedges of the university, he blended in with the rest of the student body all the while blazing his own path. “I wanted to get out of New York and come to Houston and all of the opportunities it provides,” he said. “I wanted to have a diverse set of opportunities, and I like to think I’ve taken advantage of them here in Houston.”

During his freshman year, Martin and his grandfather started the Rather Prize, a competition that awards $10,000 for the best idea to improve Texas education. Martin’s next project was “The Underreported,” a college-based nationwide news project.

When asked to name his proudest accomplishment during his time at Rice, however, Rather said being the head coach of a high school girls basketball team tops the list. For two years, he has coached at Houston’s YES Prep East End, where he led the Explorers to their first winning record this year. He even found time to bake cookies for the team.

Rather’s work inside and outside of the classroom has introduced the family name to a new generation.