The Department of Architecture in the College of Engineering, Technology, and Architecture hosted its second annual student awards ceremony on Tuesday, May 11. The event recognized multiple undergraduates, graduates, and alumni of the architecture programs for their academic achievement, as well as scholarship and fellowship recipients.
Undergraduate Awards
The ceremony began with the undergraduate awards presented by James Fuller, department chair and undergraduate program director. The first set of awards were for the HOME competition, led by Duo Dickinson, FAIA. The HOME competition required students to design a 600-square-foot home for themselves on a real site, in just three weeks. The HOME Competition Merit Award recipients included Alexia Salafia ’22 for the Beauty Award; Andrew Thompson ’20, M’21 for the Execution Award; and Nariman Hayajneh ’20, M’22 for the Elements Award.
The second set of awards highlighted the architecture division finalists for the Virtual Spring 2021 CETA Design Expo. First place went to Hasan Ramic ’21 for his design “Džamija Za Bosance (Moseque for Bosniaks).” Honorable mentions included Malik Campbell ’21 for his design “Hurley Food Hall & Market;” Kurtis Nickischer ’21 for his design, “Wallingford High School - Wallingford Warriors;” and Anthony Dalto ’21 for his design “Special Education Day and Boarding School.”
Eight undergraduate scholarships were also awarded.
The 2020-21 Undergraduate Award for Dedication to Architectural Education was awarded to Aurora Perrault ’22 and Adam Williams ’22.
The 2020-21 Dennis Paul Devin Memorial Scholarship was awarded to Charles L’Hommedieu ’23.
The 2020-21 Kappa Mu/Tau Beta Pi/Dean Zerban Endowed Scholarship was awarded to Jennifer Ketkeorasmy ’23, Anxhela Mete ’23, Jake Willis ’23, David Tran ’22, Alyssa Rankin ’22, and Wesley Moody ’21.
The 2020-21 Robert P. Tucker Engineering and Scientific Studies Scholarship was awarded to Tanner Retell ’22.
The 2020-21 Helen M. Pagano Endowed Scholarship was awarded to Anna Lammon ’22.
The 2020-21 Albert J. and Nancy C. Hajek Technology Scholarship was awarded to Mary Bilodeau ’22.
The 2020-21 Russell W. Ahlquist ’54 Memorial Endowed Scholarship was awarded to Ava Healy ’22.
Finally, the 2020-21 Gary ’85 and Peggy Masse Endowed Scholarship was awarded to Jesus Yzquierdo ’22.
Graduate Awards
The undergraduate awards were followed by the graduate awards for our Master of Architecture program, presented by Seth Holmes, graduate program director.
The Alpha Rho Chi Medal was awarded to Magic Santos ’19, M’21. This medal represents the National Professional Fraternity for Architecture and the Allied Arts and is presented to the graduating student who has shown an ability for leadership, performed willing service for his or her school or department, and gives promise of real professional merit through his or her attitude and personality.
The AIA Henry Adams Medal was awarded to Dinea Frasca ’20, M’21. For more than a century, the American Institute of Architects (AIA) has provided this medal of excellence to the top graduating students in NAAB or CACB accredited degrees—Bachelor of Architecture, Master of Architecture, or Doctor of Architecture. The award is named in honor of Henry Adams (1838–1918), a historian, author, and scholar who donated his book Mont-Saint-Michel and Chartres, and eventually the royalties from his book, to the AIA.
Six graduate scholarships were also awarded.
The Master of Architecture Scholarship was awarded to Victoria Hunt, M’23 and Seyedehzahra Shafa, M’23. The purpose of this endowed scholarship is to promote and enhance the education of graduate students in the University of Hartford’s Master of Architecture program. The scholarship fund was endowed by an anonymous donor.
The Frederick J. Mahaffey Memorial Scholarship was awarded to Brianna Ray, M’22. The purpose of this endowed scholarship is to honor the memory of Fredrick J. Mahaffey, FAIA, a former adjunct professor of architecture at the University of Hartford, by awarding a scholarship to a student studying architecture at the graduate level. Awardees demonstrate outstanding academic performance and leadership. Per the donor's gift instructions, preference is given to students who identify as LGBTQ; however, this is not a requirement for receiving the award.
The David N. Labau Memorial Scholarship was awarded to Jomar Alvarado ’21, M’23. The purpose of the endowed scholarship is to honor the memory of David N. Labau, FAIA, by awarding a scholarship to a student studying architecture at the graduate level. Labau was a founding principal of the SLAM Collaborative (formerly known as Stecker, LaBau, Arneill, McManus) and a driving force behind the effort to develop a Master of Architecture program at the University of Hartford.
Finally, the Tai Soo Kim Traveling Fellowship was awarded to Magic Santos ’19, M’21 and Molly Straut ’17, M’21. The Fellowship, which is made possible through the generosity of architect Tai Soo Kim, FAIA, supports the travel of a graduating Master of Architecture student or student team each year to further their independent study of architecture. Students may travel anywhere they wish. The Fellowship supports travel expenses of up to $6,000. Awardees return to the University the following spring to give a public lecture on their studies and travels as part of the JCJArchitecture Architecture Lecture Series.
Professional Awards
The graduate awards were followed by the professional awards, presented by Ted Sawurk, associate professor.
The Tau Sigma Delta Bronze Medal of Design was awarded to Randy Begin ’19, M’20 for 2020, and Andrew Petersen ’20, M’21 for 2021. The Bronze Medal is awarded by the individual chapters of Tau Sigma Delta to students who have distinguished themselves in design in the field of architecture, landscape architecture, or the allied arts. The selection of the recipient is made by the student membership of each chapter and is awarded at a place and time considered appropriate to each chapter.
The Tau Sigma Delta Silver Medal of Design was awarded to Robert Orr, FAIA, FCNU, FSY – Robert Orr & Associates, for 2020 and Kermit Thompson, FAIA, AICP – Thompson Edwards Architects, for 2021. The Silver Medal is awarded by chapters to a professional with a record of distinction in design in the field of Architecture, Landscape Architecture, or the Allied Arts. The selection is made by the membership of each chapter and is awarded at a place and time considered appropriate to each chapter. The Silver Medal may also be awarded by the Grand Chapter to members of the society who have distinguished themselves by outstanding service to the society, or to the field of architectural education.
Congratulations to all recipients for their achievements and recognition this year.