Barnes retires after 27 years at Rice

(Photos by Jeff Fitlow)

Allen Matusow

Russell Barnes, who headed the Office of Access, Equity and Equal Opportunity since 2001, was feted at a retirement celebration Dec. 12 at the Faculty Club. Barnes led the office toward a concentration on tolerance and on the awareness of the benefits to the university of a diverse workforce.

Remarks at the ceremony were offered by Allen Matusow, the William Gaines Twyman Professor Emeritus of History and the director of academic affairs at Rice’s Baker Institute for Public Policy; Kevin Kirby, vice president for administration; and Adria Baker, associate vice provost for international education and executive director of the Office of International Students and Scholars.

Richard Baker, executive director for institutional equity, will head the Office of Access, Equity and Equal Opportunity upon Barnes’ retirement.