Sallyport - The Magazine of Rice University - Summer 2002

A Family Affair - Through the Sallyport
dialogue and provide information on the diverse issues related to sexuality
on and beyond the Rice campus. She also was a member of the recently
chartered campus chapter of the National Association for the Advancement
of Colored People. As a six-year volunteer with Habitat for Humanity, Beth
participated in the Rice Habitat Honduras trip in 2000.
Because of the adjustment to student life, Mary says she devoted her time
and energy to meeting academic requirements. “When I wasn’t working on
that, it was down time or sleep time.” Now that she’s earned her degree,
Mary plans to return to Alaska to work in one of the Alaska Native villages.
Mary regrets that her husband, who died in 1996, was not able to see her
and Beth graduate from Rice. “He was a very strong proponent of
education,” she says, “and it was because of his influence and support that I
went to junior college at age 40.”
Beth has applied for a judicial administrative fellowship with California
State University in Sacramento. After that, she plans to enter law school to
study civil rights law.
The mother and daughter were not the first in their family to graduate from
Rice or to be proud members of Baker College. They were preceded by two
of Beth’s siblings, Lee Ann ’89 and John ’92.
“I was honored to attend graduation this year and hear the names of my
mother and sister being called,” says Lee Ann. “It pleases me to know that
Rice has provided such an excellent learning environment for so many
members of our family.”
“I am especially proud of Mama and Beth because as nontraditional
students,” John explains, “they overcame more than the usual obstacles in
realizing their dreams.”
“Rice has made a huge difference in the lives of my family,” says John.
“We offer our affection and gratitude as well as a pool of future graduates.
My daughter just turned 1,” he adds. “Look out, Class of 2022!”
—B. J. Almond
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