Spanish dignitaries in Houston

By Angie Frederickson, Staff writer | December 27, 2025

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Mohammed Neemah, Faye Walker, Nora Rashid, Becky Lao, Paula DesRoches, Reginald DesRoches, Her Excellency Ángeles Moreno Bau, Roberto Lopez, Tabbi Saenz, Jesús Miguel Sanz Escorihuela, Giselle Mangini, and Avelino Busto Cornejo

Rice University president Dr. Reginald DesRoches and Paula Gilmore DesRoches welcomed more than 100 guests to their home to celebrate the launch of the al-Andalus Project, part of Archaeology Now’s 2025-26 “Legacy” Series. The project is part of a partnership with the Consulado General de España en Houston, the Spain-U.S. Chamber of Commerce, and Casa de España, and reflects Christians, Muslims, and Jews together as a model for cultural exchange. Guests at the reception enjoyed wine, champagne, and a sangria mocktail while mingling with Spanish dignitaries. Pictured are (from left) Mohammed Neemah, Faye Walker, Nora Rashid, Becky Lao, Paula and Reginald DesRoches, Her Excellency Ángeles Moreno Bau, Roberto Lopez, Tabbi Saenz, Jesús Miguel Sanz Escorihuela, Giselle (Gigi) Mangini, and Avelino Busto Cornejo.

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