The story of Asian alumni at Rice University begins in 1912, when Rodolfo Hulen Fernández, a Filipino scholar, joined Rice’s very first class. He graduated in 1917 and left a lasting mark — even penning a romantic short story, “Blending of East and West,” which reflected on cultural identity and belonging during a time when few Asian students were on U.S. campuses.

Over the next century, Asian and Asian American representation grew steadily, with a surge in the 2000s as Rice became a hub for students across the Asian diaspora. Today, more than 10,000 Asian and Asian American alumni call Rice their alma mater.

In 2014, the Rice University Community of Asian Alumni (RUCAA) was founded as an official alumni affinity group. RUCAA exists to connect alumni, support current students, celebrate heritage, and build a lasting legacy for generations of Asian Owls to come.