During Rice’s 24-Hour Challenge in April, more than 7,000 donors came together to raise over $2.7 million for their favorite Rice programs. Among the community members who participated were Erin Chang ’00 and Jason Lore, who pledged a 2:1 matching gift for donations made to Owl Access, a program facilitated by the Office of Student Success Initiatives. Launched in 2023, the program provides three days of programming before O-Week to first-generation, limited-income students and their families, highlighting the resources and expertise they need to navigate college successfully.

For Erin, a Rice graduate from Houston and currently a bp chemical engineer, and her husband Jason, a geologist-turned-IT manager at ConocoPhillips, this gift is about more than programmatic support — it’s personal. Both had experienced the profound impact of education, mentorship and financial support in shaping their own paths.

“I loved engineering and math, and I was so happy when I was accepted into Rice, especially because I didn’t want to go too far from home,” Erin said. “But my favorite part of my time at school was the residential college system. I was assigned to Sid Rich, and it turned out that my roommate and I were born a day apart in the same city, at the same hospital — and we were friends for the rest of college.”

Jason’s academic journey took a different route. After beginning at a community college, Jason eventually transferred to UC Davis and later earned a fully funded Ph.D. from Stanford. His experiences instilled in him a deep appreciation for financial aid and institutional support. “I showed up at several points in my education just completely unprepared,” Jason recalled. “And that’s okay. I made it through because I got some help.”

Before participating in this year’s 24-Hour Challenge, Erin and Jason had learned about Owl Access and wanted to make an investment in Rice students who, like Jason, may arrive at college feeling unprepared but who are full of potential.

“What Rice has done with Owl Access is create a program that says, ‘We’re here. We can help. If you are struggling, reach out, and we’ll help you get back on track.’ I think that’s incredible,” Jason shared.

After providing a $100,000 current-use gift to Owl Access, Erin and Jason wanted to engage more directly. When the opportunity arose to participate in Owl Access’ opening event in 2024, they didn’t hesitate. The two purposefully sat at separate tables to engage with as many students as possible about their aspirations and the challenges of navigating college life.

At Erin’s table, she spoke to students grappling with decisions about their majors and future careers. Meanwhile, Jason, seated at a STEM-focused table, encouraged students to balance structured planning with openness to new possibilities. “It’s always good to have a plan,” he advised, “but never miss an opportunity to make a good decision that could lead you to something better.”

Thanks to the support of the Rice community, Erin and Jason’s matching challenge was a success — demonstrating the power of collective impact. They hope their efforts will continue to inspire others to support Owl Access and initiatives that advance student success.