Barack Obama to be guest of honor at Rice University gala

Former President Barack Obama will be in Houston in the fall to serve as the guest of honor at a gala at Rice University.

The 44th president of the United States will take part in a moderated conversation at the 25th anniversary gala of Rice University's Baker Institute for Public Policy on November 27, the university announced.

"2018 is a major milestone for the institute and for all our supporters and friends, without whom we could not have established this prominent public policy forum," Baker Institute Director Edward Djerejian said in a statement. He added, "With President Obama's participation in our gala, the institute will have had the privilege of hosting every living former president since its inception."

The theme of the event is "A Quarter Century: Making History". The gala is an invitation-only event for Baker Institute supports and special guests.