Barnett to chair Rice Board of Governors

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by Peggy Lai

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E. William Barnett, managing partner of the Baker & Botts law firm, will take over as chair of the Rice University Board of Governors starting July 1.

Barnett, 63, will succeed Charles W. Duncan Jr., who is retiring after 14 years of service as board chair.

"I am honored by this opportunity," Barnett said. "If one looks at the history of Rice, three chairmen stand out as truly great -- Captain James A. Baker, George R. Brown and Charles Duncan. Charles is an imposing act to follow, but he has positioned the university very favorably.

"Within the last few years, particularly with the arrival of Malcolm Gillis, Rice is moving more aggressively toward an international presence; the faculty in several areas are on the cutting edge, and the student body is as strong as any university in the country. This is a very exciting time to be involved at Rice," Barnett said.

Duncan said, "Bill Barnett will be a distinguished and able chairman.

"He brings broad experience, a thoughtful approach, a great deal of knowledge about Rice and, importantly, a deep commitment to the university," Duncan said.

"He is a Rice graduate who has demonstrated excellent leadership qualities. I believe Rice will continue to prosper under his chairmanship."

President Malcolm Gillis said. "The selection of Bill Barnett ensures a high degree of continuity with the immensely successful chairmanship of Charles Duncan. Charles' years as board chair have been extremely fruitful. His tenure was marked by notable developments that will shape the future of Rice for decades to come. Not the least of these was Rice's 1985 admission to the Association of American Universities, the highly influential organization of top echelon research universities. Rice University will be forever in his debt."

Duncan's accomplishments as board chair also include increasing the university's endowment from $434 million to $1.7 billion and adding nine buildings to the campus since 1983, several of which are currently under construction.

Barnett received his bachelor's degree from Rice in 1955 and his law degree in 1958 from the University of Texas at Austin.

In 1991, Barnett joined the Rice Board of Governors as a team member and was elected a trustee in 1994. He is a contributing life-member of the Rice Associates, a member of the Rice University Fund Council and a member of the Friends of Fondren.

The Rice Board of Governors is comprised of seven trustees, eight term governors, four alumni governors, seven trustee emerti and 47 governor advisors.

This item appeared in the News section of the April 19, 1996 issue.

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