Rice University’s Phi Beta Kappa chapter honored 2009 Lone Star College-Tomball graduate Alan-Michael Smith for being the top male student of his graduating class at its awards on Friday, May 11. As part of his recognition, he gave a speech to the entire Phi Beta Kappa membership and their guests at the university.

Smith graduated from Lone Star College-Tomball with an Associate of Arts degree. He transferred to Rice University and excelled in his coursework, earning a 4.3 out of a possible 4.33 grade point average. On May 12, he graduated Summa Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science.

Smith said he enjoyed his experience at LSC-Tomball. “Lone Star College-Tomball provided a productive community atmosphere. I was surrounded by professors who cared about my interests and furthered my intellectual development,” he said.

While taking political science courses, Smith met LSC-Tomball Political Science Professor Robert Eubank, who encouraged him to attend Rice. “He was very supportive and continues to be one of the most intelligent professors that I have had," he said. "He wrote one of my recommendation letters for my admission to Rice University and was even at the Phi Beta Kappa ceremony.”

Rice University, which celebrates its centennial this year, is consistently ranked among the nation's top 20 universities by U.S. News & World Report. Rice has highly respected schools of Architecture, Business, Continuing Studies, Engineering, Humanities, Music, Natural Sciences and Social Sciences and is known for its "unconventional wisdom."

Phi Beta Kappa celebrates and advocates excellence in the liberal arts and sciences. Its Rice University chapter invites for induction the most outstanding arts and sciences students at America’s leading colleges and universities. The society sponsors activities to advance these studies — the humanities, the social sciences, and the natural sciences — in higher education and in society at large.

For more information about Lone Star College-Tomball, visit  www.lonestar.edu/tomball.

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With 75,000 students in credit classes, and a total enrollment of more than 90,000, Lone Star College System is the largest institution of higher education in the Houston area, and the fastest-growing community college system in Texas. Dr. Richard Carpenter is the chancellor of LSCS, which consists of six colleges including LSC-CyFair, LSC-Kingwood, LSC-Montgomery, LSC-North Harris, LSC-Tomball and LSC-University Park, five centers, LSC-University Center at Montgomery, LSC-University Center at University Park, Lone Star Corporate College, and LSC-Online. To learn more visit LoneStar.edu.