Viterbo University put John Rice ’83 on the path to a career in higher education, a path that took some twists but was informed by Viterbo’s Franciscan mission. “I have always kept the mission of St. Francis in mind—that of teaching and healing,” he said.

Actually, Rice said, “I enjoyed everything about Viterbo. My friends in and out of my department, Hub Parties, and, of course, The Wunderbar, now, alas, no longer standing watch across the street from the Fine Arts Center.”

At Viterbo, he was especially inspired by Marie Leon La Croix, FSPA ’45, who started Viterbo’s theatre program in 1955 and was its driving force for nearly 40 years. Sr. La Croix ignited his passion for performing and he decided to go to graduate school at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee in the professional theatre training program.

After Rice completed his master’s degree, he launched a career on stage and television in New York and in regional theatre. On the advice of his agent, he headed to Los Angeles but was waylaid in southeastern Utah, captivated by the beauty of the canyon lands. Drawn by the western landscape and a surging passion to teach, Rice landed at Great Basin College in Elko, Nevada.

When Rice came to Great Basin College it was a two-year school. Within a year of joining the faculty, he was on a committee to establish the college’s first bachelor’s degree program (in elementary education). A couple years later, the college started an RN to BSN program in nursing. “Suddenly, we were following the path of St. Francis. We were creating teachers and healers,” Rice said. “Viterbo’s commitment to developing fully human beings who are in awe of the possibilities surrounding them has guided me.”

Rice, who earned a doctoral degree from Capella University, loves his work as a professor of fine arts, humanities, and communication at Great Basin College. “Certainly, teaching has been profoundly rewarding. And I still perform, most often with my students, but I can join a professional company for the summer from time to time,” he said.

He has produced, directed, and acted in more than 125 plays during his tenure at Great Basin College. “It is very rewarding that we do it here, in a small town that is truly in the middle of nowhere which can be challenging at times,” he said.

Elko might be a small town, but Rice has had a big commitment to serving it. He was elected to three terms on the Elko City Council, the last as mayor pro tempore. Rice established an arts council that has been responsible for several public art projects.

His proudest accomplishment, Rice said, is his remarkable daughter, Olivia, a student at the University of Nevada. In career terms, he is proud he has been able to perform and gets paid to do the things he loves the most.

He plans to stay involved as a board member and officer of the Walker Basin Conservancy, the largest water restoration project in the American West. He also serves as a board member of the American Folklife Center at the Library of Congress. When he has free time, he enjoys skiing, mountain biking, and adventure motorcycle riding. Rice, though, isn’t thrilled at the prospect of having too much free time. “I don’t think I will do well as a retiree. So, I am really looking at what is next in my life."