Centennial Stars shine on campus

Beckwith, Wright recognized for contributions to Rice

BY JENNIFER EVANS
Rice News staff

As Rice marks its 100th anniversary in 2012, the university is celebrating the many people who have helped Rice achieve its international acclaim. In the coming year, 100 current staff members who routinely excel in their positions, support the goals of the university and serve as a positive influence on the Rice culture will be recognized with Centennial Star awards.

Rice’s first two Centennial Stars are Boyd Beckwith, assistant dean of students and director of the Student Center and campuswide programs, and Teia Wright, senior department administrator in the Department of Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science.

Beckwith joined Rice 15 years ago as director of the Student Center and “has, year after year, performed at an exceptional level, consistently rising above and beyond expectations,” said a letter nominating him for recognition.

“Under his leadership, the Student Center has become truly ‘student-centered,’ with the development of leadership opportunities in managing the center and in managing various student-run businesses located in the center,” the letter said.

In 2000, he was promoted to the position of assistant dean and given responsibility for the Recreation Center, which was recreated under Beckwith’s leadership as a program that both catered to the needs and desires of students for improved fitness programming and provided leadership growth opportunities for management. “Use of the facilities exploded under his leadership, building the platform on which was built the new Gibbs Recreation Center,” a nomination letter said.

BOYD BECKWITH

Beckwith now also serves as the director of campuswide programming, a position in which he plays a key role in implementing the Vision for the Second Century’s call for students to go “beyond the hedges” via the Passport to Houston. He organizes such off-campus events as trips to the symphony and the opera and pre-premier movie screenings.

Beckwith also oversees the Rice Program Council (RPC), a student organization that puts on campus events such as first-run movie screenings and was responsible for the successful Welcome Back Concert in August 2011 featuring Three 6 Mafia and attended by nearly 2,000 students.

“This unique event would not have occurred without Boyd’s dedication and leadership, not to mention his long hours of work over the entire summer,” a letter said. “With very little time to prepare, he pulled together the leadership of two student organizations, RPC and KTRU, and created a collaborative effort where one had not existed before.”

“Boyd is respected by students, faculty and staff for his dedication, creativity, enthusiasm and productivity. He maintains a positive focus and combines this with creativity and adaptability. He has excelled in every job he has managed at Rice and is an exceptionally strong teacher of student leadership.”

Nomination letters for Wright lauded her professional attitude, strong work ethic, positive attitude, leadership, dedication and demonstration of the highest standards for an administrator at Rice University.

“Teia is known for her patience, kindness and professionalism,” a letter said. “She is always willing to go that extra mile to ensure that a project is successfully completed and that those involved in the process feel respected and appreciated. She is truly an asset to both the George R. Brown School of Engineering and to Rice University.”

Wright began her Rice career in the Controller’s Office as an accountant I in 1995 and quickly progressed to a senior accountant in Computer Science in 1999. She was an accounting and project analyst in Information Technology from 2001 to 2003 before taking a job as research accountant II in the Controller’s Office. She was hired by the dean of engineering as a research and graduate administrator in 2007 before taking her current position in the Department of Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science.

“Her work ethic sets an example for all staff and faculty,” another letter said. “She is reliable, dependable, trustworthy and an essential team member. Her sense of humor, honesty, warmth and amiability touch all those who know and work with her. She creates an environment where management and employees work together harmoniously.”

Wright has served on several committees at Rice over the years, including the Electronic Proposal Routing Task Force, the Online Graduate Personnel Action Form Committee, the Audit Best Practices Committee, the Director of Sponsored Research Committee and the Conflict of Interest Committee.

TEIA WRIGHT

“Teia’s commitment to her department and to Rice is nearly unrivaled, and the impression that she has made echoes the finest attributes of what it means to be an Owl as well as a leader.”

Do you know a staff member who routinely excels in their position, supports the goals and aspirations of the university and serves as a positive influence on the Rice culture? Nominate them for a Centennial Star award. Human Resources will accept nominations from peers, colleagues, co-workers and supervisors. Nominees must be in a benefits-eligible position for at least two years as of Jan. 1 and be in good standing.

To nominate someone as a Centennial Star, go to http://people.rice.edu/stars. For more information, contact Rebecca Millet at recognition@rice.edu.