Nicky Mehtani of Carmichael, CA, graduated cum laude from Rice University May 14.

Mehtani received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Biochemistry and Cell Biology.

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 (master's and Ph.D.s).

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.