History
Sid Richardson College (Sid) was established as the eighth residential college of Rice University in 1971. The construction was funded by a $2 million gift from the Sid W. Richardson Foundation in honor of Sid W. Richardson, a Texas oilman, cattleman, and philanthropist, and was dedicated by Lyndon B. Johnson, a close friend of Richardson. Originally all-male, Sid was the last residential college at Rice to become co-ed in 1987. After 49 years of housing Sidizens, the construction of a new Sid tower began in Fall 2019. For the second time, Sid demonstrated our superiority to the Lovett colony, taking their parking lot to erect our building. Our new building was completed at the start of Spring 2021 and in it, Sid continues to dominate Rice University with the best views on campus as the tallest college (eight inches taller than our old building). We share Seibel Servery with Will Rice and Lovett.
Over the years, Sid has developed many traditions. One long-held tradition of Sid was Oktoberfest. The tradition began in 1971 shortly after the dedication of Sid and continued yearly during Homecoming until 1997. The social event included a Biergarten, authentic German food, carnival booths, and sing-alongs with oompah and polka music performed by live bands. Oktoberfest took place in Sid’s outdoor country club, in the commons, and in the big room of the basement. After Oktoberfest ended in 1997, Sid 80s took its place as Sid’s annual fall public party, complete with a live 80s cover band. Sid has many other traditions including Night of Innocence, Radio Free Sid, and Orc Raids.
Aside from Sid's intimidating height, residents of Sid take pride in the long standing culture of their college, including its motto, Mors de Super, latin for Death from Above.
About Sid Richardson
Sid Williams Richardson: 1891-1959
Sid W. Richardson was born on April 25, 1891 in Athens, Texas. Richardson became involved in cattle trading at an early age. When Richardson was 8 years old, he made his first trade with his father. Following a profitable cattle trade at age 17, Richardson knew he wanted to have a career in trading. After attending college for a year and a half at Baylor University and Abilene’s Simmons College, Richardson made his way to the oil fields.
It is said that Richardson fluctuated from being broke to being a millionare based on the state of the oil market. Richardson began to make a fortune from the oild fields in West Texas after most oilmen moved to the recently discovered oild fields of East Texas. He continued to search in oil fields that were said to be dried up, and he made a breakthrough after discovering Keystone field in 1937. At Keystone field, Richardson drilled 285 wells, and only 17 of the wells were dry holes. His holdings in Keystone brought in at least $2 million annually.
On a train from Texas to Washington in 1940, Richardson met and befriended Dwight D. Eisenhower. In 1952, Richardson traveled to Paris tro persuade Eisenhower, then NATO military commander, to run for the United States Presidency. Another close friend of Richardson’s was Lyndon B. Johnson, who gave the dedication speech of Sid W. Richardson College in 1971. After World War II ended, Richardson moved his oild field operations to Louisiana where he struck fortune again at Cox Bay. This success made Richardson the second wealthiest man in America, just behind H. L. Hunt, another Texas oilman. Richardson was one of the 50 millionaires from Athens, Texas who were called “The New Athenians.:
Most of Richardson’s wealth came from his oil business, but he also played a role in 20 other businesses, including the Jack Collier Drug Store chain and several radio and TV stations in Texas. He was generous with his fortune, and he is known for his great philanthropy