Pitzer, Kenneth

Pitzer was named Rice's third president in 1961, after serving as dean of the College of Chemistry at the University of California-Berkeley. He became known for his vision which not only maintained Rice's rigorous undergraduate education but also made it a research university of national standing.

Some of Pitzer's accomplishments include bringing in federal funding for research projects, creating the nation's first space science program, doubling the size of the Fondren Library, opening the university to students of all races, starting the Continuing Studies Program, creating a bio-chemistry department, expanding the social sciences school and more than doubling the number of graduate students and faculty.

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