Details

30th Anniversary Gala
Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy

Thursday, October 26, 2023

6:00 pm — Reception 
7:00 pm — Dinner
James A. Baker III Hall, Rice University
Black Tie  •  Valet Parking

Guests of Honor

The Honorable Henry Kissinger
56th Secretary of State

The Honorable James A. Baker, III
61st Secretary of State

The Honorable Hillary Rodham Clinton
67th Secretary of State

Norah O’Donnell
Managing Editor and Anchor of
“CBS Evening News with Norah O’Donnell”


Gala Co-Chairs

Franci Neely
Ann and Karl Stern
Sheridan and John Eddie Williams, Jr.
 

Event Coverage

Select photos from the event are available for download; if posting publicly, please include the credit line “Courtesy of Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy” where possible.

A transcript of the conversation between the secretaries is available for download here.

Gala Levels of Support and Benefits

Tables

$100,000 — Secretary

  • A preeminently-placed table for 12 guests and at least one guest of honor (a Secretary of State or Moderator and their optional guest)
  • Invitation for two to attend a private reception in Secretary Baker’s suite in Baker Hall with the Honorable James A. Baker, III, the Secretaries of State and other special guests
  • Invitation for 12 to the VIP reception and photo opportunity in Baker Hall
  • Listing in 30th Anniversary Gala Commemorative event materials, recognition on Baker Institute donor wall and in Annual Report
  • Underwriting/sponsorship of gala attendance for four Rice University students*
  • Invitation for four to a separate reception with Secretary James A. Baker, III, at a later date at the home of Sheridan and John Eddie Williams 
  • Fair Market Value: $3,250

$50,000 — Ambassador 

  • A prominently-located table for 10 guests
  • Invitation for 10 to attend the VIP reception and photo opportunity in Baker Hall
  • Listing in 30th Anniversary Gala Commemorative event materials and in Annual Report
  • Underwriting/sponsorship of gala attendance for two Rice University students*
  • Invitation for two to a separate reception with Secretary James A. Baker, III, at a later date at the home of Sheridan and John Eddie Williams 
  • Fair Market Value: $2,500

$25,000 — Diplomat 

  • Table for 10 guests
  • Invitation for 10 to attend the VIP reception and photo opportunity in Baker Hall
  • Listing in 30th Anniversary Gala Commemorative event materials and recognition in Baker Institute Annual Report
  • Underwriting/sponsorship of gala attendance for one Rice University student*
  • Fair Market Value: $2,500

$15,000 — Attaché

  • Table for 10 guests
  • Listing in Gala materials and recognition in Baker Institute Annual Report
  • Underwriting/sponsorship of gala attendance for one Rice University student*
  • Fair Market Value: $2,500


*Students will be seated at a donor table only at donor’s request. 


Tickets

$1,500 — Individual Tickets (limited availability)

  • Online ticket sales have closed. Please contact Leah Gross, Director of Development, at 713.348.2977 or leah.gross@rice.edu with any questions.
  • Fair Market Value: $250
     

 

Payment Options

  • Online: Please visit https://riceconnect.rice.edu/baker30th. In the Special Instructions, please set forth you and your guest’s names.  
  • Check: Make checks payable to Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy and send to:
         The 30th Anniversary Gala Celebration
         Rice University’s Baker Institute, MS-40
         P.O. Box 1892
         Houston, Texas 77251–1892
  • For Wire, ACH or Stock Transfer Instructions, or Questions, please contact Leah Gross, Director of Development, at 713.348.2977 or leah.gross@rice.edu.   
  • Tables may also be purchased via a Printable Gala Table Purchase Form (PDF).
  • Purchase your table by September 6, 2023 to receive acknowledgement on the gala invitation as a supporter.

 

Gifts to Rice University’s Baker Institute are tax-deductible. Rice University is a 501(c)(3) organization (Tax ID: 74-1109620). The fair market value for gala tickets is $250 per person. 

In compliance with Internal Revenue Code Notice 2017-73 and IRS guidance, Rice does not accept, in whole or in part, payments for events, memberships, auction items, tickets, etc., from Donor Advised Funds, foundations or Qualified Charitable Distributions from an IRA account. Donors of IRA Qualified Charitable Distributions and Donor Advised Fund grants are prohibited from claiming a charitable tax deduction for their distributions and grants. Bifurcated payments are also strictly prohibited.