On Sept. 23, 1912, the William Marsh Rice Institute (Rice University) opened its doors on the anniversary date of Rice’s murder in 1900. Rice was chloroformed to death by his valet, Charlie Jones, who had conspired with an unscrupulous lawyer, Albert Patrick, to murder the aging millionaire and claim his estate using a forged will.

The Institute enrollment totaled 77 students that initial academic year taught by a dozen faculty. Four years later, at the initial commencement, 35 bachelor’s degrees and one master’s degree were awarded, with the first doctorate conferred in 1918.