Once a week, Perry Gilberd ’25 wears an unusual accessory to class: a two-way radio clipped to his shirt. As a student leader in Rice Emergency Medical Services, he attends classes, visits the servery and participates in extracurricular activities — all while staying ready to leave and help a student at a moment’s notice.  

Staffed by student volunteers, REMS provides essential medical support on campus, while working with local emergency services to ensure continuous care and transport to the nearby Texas Medical Center. Perry’s journey with the group began his freshman year, when he took his first emergency medical technician (EMT) class, and he joined REMS shortly after. In his current leadership role, he provides vital care, helps train new EMTs and drives a REMS SUV during his shifts. He emphasizes the advantage of being familiar with the campus, allowing him to navigate “all the little nooks and crannies” and to stabilize patients quickly.  

“I like being armed with the knowledge to give advice that fits a patient’s situation,” says Perry, who is majoring in biosciences with a concentration in cell biology and minoring in business. “Many students are having their first emergency away from home. I can appreciate their situation, help them medically and advise them about resources available on campus.”  

In addition to REMS, Perry leads Chabad at Rice University, building community among Jewish students. He recalls how, when he first arrived on campus, the Chabad rabbi was immediately very welcoming, and he appreciates how the rabbi continued to invite him and other students to participate in their programming.  

“I love getting to help people make friends and connect with others across the school, not just in their own major or college,” Perry says. “We have a robust support system at Rice, and Chabad is just one part of it.”

As president of Chabad, Perry pays it forward by encouraging students to join their activities and benefit from the support and camaraderie he values so much.  

These life-changing experiences, he says, would not have been possible without financial support from The Rice Fund, which provides scholarship assistance and current-use support for a variety of programs at Rice.  

Reflecting on the impact of donors, Perry recalls wanting to attend Rice because of its small classes, strong community, access to professors, and location in a major city next to a stellar medical hub. He also recalls the uncertainty of paying for Rice, knowing that his two younger brothers would soon be college-bound. When he received his acceptance — and a generous financial aid package — there was a sense of joy, relief and gratitude.  

“I’m thankful that Rice’s generous donors could make my dream of attending a reality,” Perry says. “REMS is going to help me make great strides in my career, and I just can’t imagine myself being as successful if I were somewhere else.”