“C’est magnifique!”

When Liz Howard, corporate finance attorney, toured the Center for the Study of Languages (CSL) with humanities dean Gary Wihl, she was impressed with the new ways that students study foreign language.

Liz Howard ’76, Brown College First gift: $5.00, A loyal donor since 1976

“When I studied languages, the lab was very one-dimensional. Today, software in the Language Resource Center is exceptional, giving students a variety of interactive ways to learn.” Liz Howard ‘76 visits with humanities dean Gary Wihl

A French major who also speaks Spanish, Portuguese, and Italian, Liz remembers days in the language lab, listening to poor-quality tapes on heavy headsets.

Liz’s enthusiasm for foreign languages goes back to her childhood. She was a young girl when her mother, Dr. Fannie Louise Tapper, studied French at Rice, completing her Ph.D. in 1970. Dr. Tapper then ran a University of Houston year-abroad program in Strasbourg, France. Liz and her brother went along and attended school in France.

Her love of languages has continued throughout her life. With her husband, Roy Trice, Liz shares that affinity with Rice—together, they established the Elizabeth Howard and Roy Trice Endowment to provide program support for the CSL. “Rice understands that students must be proficient in other languages if they expect to work effectively with people from other cultures,” Liz says. “The endowment is our way to promote that effort and to give back to Rice.” Roy agrees. “We’re very lucky to have one of the top schools right here in Houston. And I think Liz and I should do whatever we can to support it.”

Liz and Roy are just two of the many alumni and friends who make a long-lasting difference in the lives of young people at Rice, both while they are students and later as productive professionals in the global workplace.