Better Call Maul
Nathan Kwon
Business/Econ 2028
Bellevue, WA
Ask anyone on campus who the kindest korean finance bro on campus is and the answer will always be Nathan Kwon. Trailing all the way from Bellevue, WA, Nathan will always be there to hype you up. From his world famous high school tennis pep talk (look at his Instagram tagged to find this gold) to much-needed words of encouragement, he is there to put a smile on your face and make sure you're on the right path. The guy is a natural overachiever and is an active member of all ten thousand business clubs on campus. But don't let this intimidate you, he is a jack of all trades and can talk to you about pretty much anything, ranging from his questionable movie taste to his career aspirations of becoming a comedian after finance. Whether you're looking for a fun company, for a good conversation, or just for someone to support you, Nathan will be there to make your O-week and freshman year an amazing experience.
Carlos Vasconcelos (Will Rice '28)
Jackson Lieb
Computer Science 2027
Austin, TX
They say most people have to wait more than a lifetime to win the lottery but guess what, today is not your day either. Keep waiting. But hey you get a pretty great consolation prize in having the incredible, the jaw dropping, the one and only Jackson Waite Lieb as your O-week dad (I was convinced his middle name was a typo too). Really expanding his horizons coming to Rice all the way from Austin, Texas, Jackson is a computer science major but not the smelly kind dw. When he's not roaming around campus looking for the "right" study spot to finish his assignments, you'll find him in the most random classes just cause he can (this guy took Japanese history and then painting the next???). Ask anyone of Jackson and all you'll hear is great things; he's a charmer, reliable, reps out 405 on bench, and a great person to lean on and talk to. Jackson is one the best guys at Will Rice and so, I guess in a way, you did win the lottery (of O-week parents, money still tops).
Ismail Tambawala (Will Rice '27)
Katherine Arquitt
Psychology 2026
Springfield, MO
If you ever walk into Will Rice Commons and see someone chugging water really fast, count yourself lucky because you've just found yourself in the presence of Katherine Arquitt, a senior hailing all the way from Missouri. Whether she's studying the brain as a psychology major or asking you if you want to chug some nice and refreshing water as a devoted chug captain, Katherine won't leave you hanging. Katherine is one of the coolest people I know and never fails to make people laugh. When she's not playing a game of bocce pool or studying in commons, you'll find her at the hammocks, being a crochet master, and doing puzzles. Katherine is a superb advisor and will be a great support system as you embark on your time at Rice.
Madeleine Lucid, Will Rice College '25
Madeline Pinches
Biosciences 2028
LA, California
Wanna find the best spots for a sweet treat, caffeinated drink, and goated study spot? Just follow a day in the life of THE Madeline Pinches!! Coming straight out of LA, California, Maddie has found the best spots for matcha, boba, and munching. Starting her day bright and early at 11am (because she was up so late locking in and pre med maxxing), Maddie will start her day by making a required brochstein pavilion run. Then, she'll go and destroy her opponents in a tennis match, followed by her post tennis cool down involving squatting 3 hundred pound weights (on each side). After that, she'll head over to chaus for her next dose of caffeine and study. She's so locked at this point that her average typing speed will be like 100 wpm easilyyyy. Then, Maddie will take a break to go on her chipotle or poke run for the evening. During the walk to the island, you'll really get to see the amazingly kind and outgoing person Maddie is as y'all yap about life. Finally, you'll see her at fondy or comp lab "working" until you see a notification from her sending you the funniest tiktok you've ever seen (she's been doomscrolling for hours). She'll then be there until the wee hours of the night, and then she'll do it all over again the next day!
Akina Damanik (Wiess '28), Valentina Alvarez (Wiess '28)
