The undergraduate business program at Rice University will be named after the Virani family following a “generous philanthropic gift” by Farid and Asha Virani while the building that houses the business program, McNair Hall, will not see a name change.
“We are profoundly grateful to Farid and Asha Virani for their extraordinary gift, which will transform our undergraduate business education,” Rice president Reginald DesRoches said in a statement. “Their success and commitment to excellence inspire our students, and their generosity will serve as a lasting testament to what can be accomplished through vision and determination.”
Rice University did not disclose the size of the donation that is fueling the creation of the Virani Undergraduate School of Business on the request of the Virani family to maintain privacy, honoring the request of the Virani family.
Dr. Asha Virani is a proud Rice alumna who graduated in 1989 and Farid, her husband, is the founder and CEO of Prime Communications. Their son Faraz graduated from Rice University in 2021 after studying sports management.
“We are incredibly excited to support Rice Business, as we believe in the transformative power of education. This contribution will play a pivotal role in preparing the next generation of business leaders and entrepreneurs to tackle the challenges and seize the future opportunities — not just for our city, but for our state and our country,” Farid Virani said.
“Our vision is to foster a culture of curious and compassionate lifelong learners who will lead with a strong ethical orientation and intellectual humility,” Asha Virani said.
