A New Roost for Owls
Rice will break ground on the new Moody Center Complex for Student Life in May.
Spring 2025
By Chris Stipes
Rice will break ground on the new Moody Center Complex for Student Life on May 8, 2025, marking a transformative moment for the university’s commitment to student engagement, development and success. Made possible by generous gifts from the Moody Foundation and the Brown Foundation, the new 75,000-square-foot facility will serve as a dynamic hub for student activities.
Located on the south side of the Central Quadrangle, the new building will complement the Rice Memorial Center and Ley Student Center, which will undergo renovations after the completion of the new building, creating a cohesive student center complex called the Moody Center Complex for Student Life. “This new state-of-the-art facility will be much more than just a building; it is an investment in the future of every student, supporting them in pursuit of their passions,” says Elle Moody ’14, a trustee of both the Moody Foundation and Rice. Rice students will have the opportunity to provide input on the redesign of the existing student center, ensuring their voices are integral to shaping their campus experience.
This new state-of-the-art facility will be much more than just a building; it is an investment in the future of every student, supporting them in pursuit of their passions. — Elle Moody ’14
“Rice University is dedicated to empowering our students to become leaders who make meaningful impacts around the world,” says President Reginald DesRoches. “The Moody Center Complex for Student Life will be a centerpiece for community, creativity and collaboration, providing our students with the resources and spaces they need to thrive.”
The new facility will feature a large programming pavilion that opens to the Central Quad, offering opportunities for both indoor and outdoor events, including performances, lectures and multicultural celebrations. The building will also house a variety of spaces, such as a café, coffeehouse, meeting rooms, study areas and student services offices, designed to meet the needs of Rice's diverse and growing student body. Over the past decade, the university’s enrollment has expanded by 34%, with nearly 9,000 undergraduate and graduate students now calling Rice home.
The project is supported by the historic $100 million commitment from the Moody Foundation , announced in 2021, which remains the largest single donation in Rice’s history. The gift not only supports the construction of the MCCSL but also funds 12 endowments focused on advancing student opportunity and success – collectively called The Moody Experience . The Brown Foundation provided an additional $15 million to support the project.
Designed by award-winning architecture firm Olson Kundig with Page as the executive architect, the new building is scheduled for completion in fall 2027.