05/23/2026
There are a handful of people that have truly shaped the trajectory of Rice University in our nearly 115-year history. Richard Tapia was one of them. Richard’s influence at Rice extends beyond his academic contributions as a world-renowned mathematician, encompassing diversity, advocacy, mentorship and incredible leadership. He was truly a pioneering figure in computational mathematics and a champion for expanding access to science and engineering education. https://bit.ly/4wKNms7
Richard A. Tapia, a distinguished professor at Rice and a trailblazing mathematician renowned for his dedication to increasing the participation of underrepresented minorities in science and engineering, has passed away at age 88.