From Student to Steward: 45 Years of Giving Forward

For 45 years and counting, they’ve never missed a beat. Through milestones and moves, career changes and growing families, two dedicated Rice alumni have made one thing certain: Every single year, without fail, they give back to the university that shaped them. Their remarkable streak isn’t just about loyalty — it’s a legacy of love, gratitude and belief in the power of a Rice education. 

The generosity of Cordell Haymon ’65 and Walter Loewenstern ’58 goes far beyond numbers. It lives in the scholarships that open doors, the programs that spark innovation and the students whose lives are forever changed. Year after year, they’ve exemplified what it means to be Owls who give back — not just through philanthropy, but through a lasting commitment to Rice’s mission.

Supporting Rice, for Cordell Haymon ’65, is his way of ensuring future students benefit from the same transformative opportunities that shaped his own journey. “I’ve spent much of my life trying to help make the world a better place as a lawyer, businessman and community advocate, and one of the best ways to do that is to support great academic institutions,” he said. “Your money helps deserving students get a strong start, and Rice creates the kind of thinkers our country needs.” That belief — in education as a force for good — has guided Cordell’s decades of generosity and involvement with the university.

Growing up in Baton Rouge, Cordell first knew Rice only as the team that played Louisiana State University in football each fall. That changed when he was selected to attend a National Science Foundation summer program at the University of Houston during high school. “It was the era just after the launch of Sputnik, and the United States was suddenly very focused on the space race,” he said. Among a group of 40 promising math and science students from across the country, Cordell was surprised to hear many speak enthusiastically about Rice. “I thought, ‘Really? Is that a good school?’ he recalled. “They said, ‘Oh yeah, and it’s free.’”

By the fall of 1961, Cordell was on Rice’s campus, enrolling as a science engineering major, but he quickly discovered his strengths lay elsewhere. A switch to economics set him on a new path, and he soon immersed himself in the academic and social life of the university. “My time at Rice was great,” he recalled. “I lived with three close friends, all on football scholarships, and we bonded over sports.” That passion led him to serve as intramural sports chairman at Will Rice College. Competition was fierce among the university’s five residential colleges.

But Cordell’s involvement didn’t stop there. He wrote for the Rice Thresher, sang in the college chorus and participated in Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC) — experiences that broadened his perspective and deepened his connection to the Rice community. “One of the benefits of Rice’s size is that you can do a little bit of everything,” he said. “That variety really enriched my experience.”

The combination of a supportive community, a strong academic foundation and the life-changing benefit of free tuition left a lasting impression. “My experience was very positive,” he said. “Rice was challenging, and there was a level of competition, but I thrived on that. It taught me to work hard, and that’s served me well throughout my life and career. The fact that it was free made a big difference.”

Cordell’s relationship with Rice didn’t end at graduation — it deepened. Early in his career, he joined the Rice Fund Council, marking the beginning of a decades-long tradition of giving. Over the years, his philanthropic support has spanned campus, benefiting areas like the Owl Club Athletic Fund, the School of Social Sciences and The Rice Investment. “I’ve always thought it was important to support the university,” he said. “I’m very appreciative of Rice and the opportunities I received.”

He has been just as generous with his time: Cordell co-chaired his 50th reunion, contributes to the Owlmanac as a class recorder and dedicated 30 years to interviewing prospective students through the Rice Alumni Volunteer for Admissions (RAVA) program. “I met so many bright young people,” he said. “Some of those interviews I’ll always remember. Staying involved helped me stay connected with the university.”

Now back in Houston after years away, Cordell continues to give his time and talents as a member of the advisory board for the School of Social Sciences. “There are some truly remarkable people on that board,” he said. “It’s been a great way to stay engaged.”

Walter Loewenstern ’58 credits Rice not only with shaping his career, but also with instilling a deep sense of responsibility. “There was no tuition, and I lived at home, so it cost me nothing except for books,” he said. “I felt an obligation to pay that back. I’ve always felt I owed the university a lot.”

Born and raised in Houston, Walter applied to just two universities — MIT and Rice. Choosing Rice, he said, changed everything. “MIT would have put a financial strain on my family, and Rice was a great deal, being free,” he recalled. “The professors were tough, and my time at Rice prepared me well for my future career. Succeeding in that atmosphere definitely gave me confidence and helped me long term.”

Walter described his classmates as collaborative and kind. “There were about 30 of us in the electrical engineering class,” he said. “I was also part of the Naval ROTC at Rice, where I met interesting people. Everyone was helpful — if you had a problem, someone would help you, and I enjoyed helping others, too.”

As his career took off, so did his desire to give back. In 1969, Walter co-founded ROLM Corporation with fellow Rice alumni Gene Richeson ’62, Ken Oshman ’62 and Robert Maxfield ’63. By the time IBM acquired the company in 1984, it had revenues approaching $1 billion and was at the forefront of telecommunications innovation. While Walter had only overlapped with Ken at Rice, all four founders were recruited to California by Burt McMurtry ’56. “Three of us worked together,” he said. “We got to know each other socially and professionally.”

One thread that connected them all was Rice electrical engineering professor Martin Graham. “He taught me electronics and definitely contributed to my long-term success,” Walter said. “When we started ROLM, we hired him as a consultant. He was teaching at Berkeley at the time, and we were so impressed with his capabilities. He was kind of a wizard — if you had an electronics problem, he could solve it.”

For 45 consecutive years, Walter has been a steadfast supporter of the university — giving generously, without fail and often without restrictions. He served on the advisory board for the Century Campaign Leadership Committee, was a member of the Rice University Fund Council and is a lifetime member of the Rice Engineering Alumni. “My philosophy is that the people running the university know where the money is most useful,” he said. “I’m happy to give and very pleased with what the gifts are going toward. I’m impressed with the administration — and especially with the students. Staying connected through giving has been rewarding. It’s meaningful to know I’m supporting the next generation of Rice students.”

His gifts have supported opportunities like the Expanding Horizons Fellowship and the Loewenstern Fellowship, which helps Rice students broaden their horizons through global experiences — something he sees as crucial to building empathy and understanding across cultures. “I’m pleased that my gifts help students become more worldly and have experiences they wouldn’t otherwise have,” Walter said. “It’s a good export for our country to have our students go to these other countries.”

With a granddaughter now attending Rice, Loewenstern’s ties to the university continue to grow. “I’ll be in Houston more often to visit,” he said. “I’m glad my connection with Rice is still going strong.”

Accelerate the Vision

Inspired by Cordell and Walter’s long-standing commitment to Rice? Support what matters to you most and create your own legacy of philanthropy by contacting Sara Rice, executive director of development for school based units, at sdl@rice.edu or 713-348-3189.

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