Named after Dan L. King, the longest-serving executive of the association, this award is given to a college or university board member whose service exemplifies commitment to higher education and who demonstrates the highest ethical standards in providing leadership from the trustee level.

“This was one of the best-composed nominations that I've ever read for any one of our awards,” said Jerry Neuner, Ph.D., award nomination chair for the American Association of University Administrators. “It was a very good effort to summarize the life of a truly amazing person. After reading the 11-page nomination, I couldn’t find a more appropriate adjective to describe Arthur than ‘awe inspiring’ and that’s an understatement.”

Rice practices at Lorium Law and has extensive experience as both a litigator and a bankruptcy lawyer, including a significant number of jury trials in state and federal courts. A native of Middletown, Connecticut, Rice graduated from Quinnipiac with a Bachelor of Arts in 1973 before attending the University of Miami School of Law. After graduation, he practiced law in Florida.

Rice also served in the U.S. Army as a helicopter pilot and was awarded the Purple Heart and the Distinguished Flying Cross as well as other citations. He retired with the rank of captain.

Rice joined Quinnipiac’s Board of Trustees in 2004 and had served as chair since 2020.

“Arthur’s service on the Board of Trustees at Quinnipiac is another of his remarkable achievements because he served in all the most demanding chairmanships and memberships on the board,” Neuner said. “He has been hugely generous to the institution. I lost track of the number of endowed gifts, scholarships, chair and other financial contributions he has made to Quinnipiac. You like that from your trustees. He sets the example as a servant leader. With so many self-serving leaders out there, we need more Arthurs in the world.”

William Weldon, a current member and former chair of the Quinnipiac Board of Trustees, said, “I can’t think of a more deserving nominee than Art Rice for the King Award for University Trustee Leadership. Over the last several decades, Art’s commitment to Quinnipiac has been unwavering. He has shown his support in demonstrative and meaningful ways that have made a historic and long-lasting impact on the university.”

Quinnipiac University President Judy Olian agreed, adding “Art’s leadership has had a transformative impact on Quinnipiac, guiding us through the difficult period of the pandemic and then championing unprecedented investments in faculty, student and facility initiatives. Art is a longtime dedicated and supportive alumnus, representing the ideals of integrity, public service, professional excellence and personal resilience to which we aspire at Quinnipiac. I have benefited greatly from his wise leadership and also his personal friendship.”