HOUSTON – Sharion Scott of LaPlace graduated magna cum laude from Rice University. Scott received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology.

New York Times columnist David Brooks delivered the commencement address. Rice University President David Leebron congratulated the graduates with a handshake as they walked across the stage.

This year Rice awarded 1,599 degrees, including 802 undergraduate and undergraduate professional degrees and 797 graduate degrees.

The Class of 2011 is the 98th graduating class in Rice’s history.

Located in Houston, Rice University is consistently ranked one of America’s best teaching and research universities. Rice will celebrate its centennial year in 2012.