All posts by Vanesa Zelaya

2022 a/e ProNet David W. Lakamp Scholars Announced

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Architects Foundation announces winners of the 2022 a/e ProNet David W. Lakamp AIA Scholarship

WASHINGTON – The Architects Foundation is awarding the 2022 a/e ProNet David W. Lakamp AIA Scholarship to Deanna Ho (Arizona State University) and Jennifer Stieben (University of Kentucky). Each will receive $5,000 to be used towards tuition for demonstrating a strong interest in practice and risk management.

The scholarship honors David W. Lakamp, who was a founder of a/e ProNet and a trusted advisor to the profession of architecture. Lakamp’s legacy of professionalism and integrity set new standards in the field of insurance services.

“a/e ProNet is pleased to support up and coming architects through its AIA-endowed David W. Lakamp scholarship,” said a/e ProNet David W. Lakamp AIA Scholarship Committee Chair Thomas Coghlan.

“This year’s jurors reviewed applications from very accomplished and deserving candidates and deliberated vigorously to select the scholarship recipients. Our mission is to provide educational support to architectural students and architects in private practice through risk and practice management programs.”

Applications for the 2023  a/e ProNet David W. Lakamp Scholarship will open in the fall of 2022. Complete details are available on the Architects Foundation’s website.

Meet the new Jason Pettigrew Memorial ARE Scholarship recipients

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Architects Foundation announces recipients of Jason Pettigrew Memorial ARE Scholarship

Scholarships cover costs of the Architectural Registration Examination (ARE), study materials, and a subscription to ArchiPrep®.

WASHINGTON – The Architects Foundation today announced recipients for the Jason Pettigrew Memorial ARE Scholarship.

The Jason Pettigrew Memorial ARE Scholarship recognizes the significant contributions of emerging professionals at early stages in their careers and helps defray the costs associated with the ARE. Each of the scholarship recipients will receive funds to cover all sections of the ARE, as well as a free subscription to ArchiPrep® and up to $500 worth of ARE 5.0 study materials. This year’s scholars include:

“Early in my career, I heard architect Allen Eskew, FAIA speak about how his practice (Eskew+Dumez+Ripple) viewed licensure as the culmination of one’s education as an architect” said selection committee member Michael Davis, AIA. That stance resonated with him and made him realize that licensure was the next step in his career. “It’s not a checkbox, it’s something that signifies the beginning of the next chapter.”

“It was inspiring and impressive to see this level of engagement in the community among the candidates,” added selection committee member Tiara Hughes, Assoc. AIA. “It takes a lot of champions to galvanize and have a real impact, that’s why we’re excited to give back and support these designers with their path to licensure”.

Complete details on the Jason Pettigrew scholarship program are available on the Architects Foundation website.

The Architects Foundation is currently reviewing applications for the Diversity Advancement Scholarship, the Payette Sho-Ping Chin Memorial Academic Scholarship, the a/e ProNet David W. Lakamp Scholarship, the Yann Weymouth Graduate Scholarship and the LFRT ARE Scholarship. Please stay tuned for the announcement of future award recipients by signing up for the AF newsletter.

 

Danielle and Stacey

Stacey Ruhle Kliesch, AIA, and Danielle Mitchell begin a mentoring relationship

Scholars

Source – AIA New Jersey

In the ongoing work to create a more diverse next generation of the profession, the Architects Foundation is expanding their mentor program for students that have been awarded their Diversity Advancement Scholarships. After receiving a request from Danielle Mitchell, a student at Cornell University and one of the 2021 scholars, to be paired with an architect mentor from the Architects League of Northern New Jersey area, Stacey Ruhle Kliesch, AIA, volunteered to serve.

Stacey has filled associated roles for many years, starting her term as AIA NJ IDP Coordinator in 1994, adding Associate Regional Director and keeping those roles until 1999. Stacey has also provided Architectural Education to grades K-12 since 1992. Currently, as the mom of a college freshman, Stacey felt very comfortable accepting the opportunity to work with an architecture student of the same age, provide guidance in the profession and connect Danielle with all of the right people and resources to support her through school and beyond.

Danielle, a resident of Bergen County, has been planning for her future for many years. She decided to pursue a career in architecture while she was in middle school. In fact, Danielle and Stacey met previously on February 6, 2020, at the AIA New Jersey Tower Challenge hosted by the AIA New Jersey K-12 Education Committee at Danielle’s high school in Tenafly. At their first mentoring meeting on Sunday, February 27, Danielle committed to working with Stacey as her Architects Foundation Mentor.

While Danielle noted that many of her classmates are already changing majors just one semester into freshman year, she is feeling confident that she is in the right program. Enjoying studio and history, Cornell is challenging her in all the right ways. She choose to attend her school because it is the only ivy league with an accredited B. Arch program. Danielle already has a summer internship lined up at Columbia University in NYC where her father, Dennis A. Mitchell, DDS, MPH, serves as the Executive Vice President for University Life, Senior Vice Provost for Faculty Advancement and Professor of Dental Medicine at the Columbia University Medical Center.

ARCHITECTS FOUNDATION DIVERSITY ADVANCEMENT SCHOLARSHIP

Known by different names ranging from the AIA/Ford Scholarship to the AIA Minority Disadvantaged Scholarship Program to today’s Architects Foundation Diversity Advancement Scholarship, the AIA has awarded scholarships to minorities since 1970.

Prompted by the sage words of Whitney Young in his keynote speech to the AIA at the 1968 Convention, the scholarship was founded in 1969 when the AIA and Ford Foundation each pledged $500,000 to support three different groups of students’ education in the field of architecture.

The program sought to give scholarships, not only to those youths in financial need but to those who otherwise would not have other means to obtain a professional education. Since the Diversity Advancement Scholarship was launched in 1970, it has been awarded to over 2,300 students.

The Architects Foundation awards the Diversity Advancement Scholarships annually to rising first-year, second-year, and community college transfer students from a minority background who intend to study in a NAAB-accredited architecture program. These scholarships are supported by the American Institute of Architecture (AIA) and, in the 2018-19 school year, the program has more than doubled in size thanks to a 2016 gift of $1 million from the AIA.

ARCHITECTS FOUNDATION MENTORSHIP PROGRAM

Many students enter architecture programs with misconceptions about the realities of the profession and/or knowing very little about professional practice. The rigors of architecture programs often leave students so engrossed in their academic programs that they are left with little time to develop relationships outside of their school or college. Focusing on the success in their design studio, students are often unaware or lose sight of the important role professional relationships and networking can play in their professional careers. A lack of diversity in schools of architecture can also lead to a feeling of isolation for many minorities in architecture programs. To that end, the AF is launching a mentorship pilot program to support scholarship recipients during their time in their respective architecture programs.

While Stacey plans to be Danielle’s primary AIA NJ contact, she also intends to take Danielle to visit varied architecture firms and meet other professionals at committee and membership meetings. They have preliminary plans for their next meeting when Danielle gets home from school followed by an invitation to attend the June 16th Architects League Scholarship Dinner at Lambert Castle.

As the AIA NJ Chair for the Equity, Diversity and Inclusion in Architecture Committee, Stacey is managing the volunteer list for the AIA NJ participants in the Architects Foundation Mentorship Program. If you’d like to volunteer to mentor another student or wish to invite Danielle and Stacey to take a field trip to your office or a project under construction in the future, please contact Stacey at staceykliesch@gmail.com.

Architects Foundation and Fireclay Tile’s 2021 partnership honored for Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion In the Inaugural Anthem Awards

Partners, Press, Scholarships

WASHINGTON – The Architects Foundation and Fireclay Tile announced today that their 2021 partnership for the Diversity Advancement Scholarship for Black Women has been named Best in Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion – Partnership or Collaboration, Silver Medal Class in the Inaugural Anthem Awards.

Anthem Winners are selected by the International Academy of Digital Arts and Sciences. Members include Daniel Dae Kim (actor, producer, and activist);  Ashley Judd (Author, Actor, and Social Justice Humanitarian); Mitchell Baker (CEO and chairwoman, Mozilla); Lisa Sherman (president and CEO, Ad Council), Sarah Kate Ellis (president and CEO, GLAAD); Renata Erlikhman (chief investment officer, OW Management); Shayla Tait (director of philanthropy, The Oprah Winfrey Charitable Foundation); Russlynn Ali (CEO and co-founder, XQ Institute); Marc Ecko (chief commercial officer and board member, XQ Institute); Heidi Arthur (chief campaign development officer, Ad Council); and Alexis M. Herman (chair and chief executive officer, New Ventures, and former U.S. secretary of labor).

In order to support the progress of aspiring Black women architects and narrow the racial disparities in our industry, Fireclay Tile partnered with the Architects Foundation in February 2021 for Black history month to sponsor a Diversity Advancement Scholarship specifically for Black women pursuing architecture.

Fireclay Tile’s campaign was wildly successful, reaching the initial $25,000 goal (1 scholarship) by February 3rd. Fireclay ended up doubling the goal to $50,000 and reached that as well from a total of 173 supporters. Highlights include feature by Digital Media Solutions and an IG feature by Bobby Berk.

“It is our distinct honor to recognize the work that brands, organizations, and individuals are all making to create an impact in their community,” said Jessica Lauretti, Managing Director, The Anthem Awards. “We launched this platform to show the world that all corners of our culture, from sports and entertainment to business leaders and celebrities, are all standing up to say, it is time for systemic change and that social good is what we value as a society.”

“This is a tremendous partnership, and we are honored to support the work of the Architects Foundation to help educate and inspire more amazing talent,” said Fireclay Tile CEO Eric Edelson.

Winners for the inaugural Anthem Awards will be celebrated at the first annual Anthem Voices conference followed by a star-studded virtual Awards Show on Monday, February 28, 2022.  Fans will be able to hear from social impact leaders during the day and then watch the show, featuring special moments, and hallmark speeches from all you and your fellow winners at anthemawards.com.

The Anthem Awards was launched in response to the prevalence social good has taken within the national conversation and cultural zeitgeist in recent years. The inaugural competition received nearly 2,500 entries from 36 countries worldwide. By amplifying the voices that spark global change, the Anthem Awards are defining a new benchmark for impactful work that inspires others to take action in their communities. A portion of program revenue will fund a new grant program supporting emerging individuals and organizations working to advance the causes recognized in the inaugural Anthem Awards.

ABOUT FIRECLAY TILE

Since 1986, Fireclay Tile has been committed to making tile a better way. This mission has earned them B Corp certification, Climate Neutral certification as well as a reputation for producing the most coveted handmade tile available. Made to order, Fireclay offers an array of materials, alongside complimentary design services for homeowners, a program for residential trade professions, and dedicated commercial support for large projects. Their customers can boast that their beautiful, sustainably made tile is handcrafted with 100% renewable energy, which qualifies for industry-leading certifications, including LEED. Their products are also made for good. From their partnerships with Allies in Arts, National Parks Conservation Association, and its Pledge1% commitment, they work and design with good intentions. Visit FireclayTile.com

Find The Anthem Awards Online:

Website: anthemawards.com
Facebook:  facebook.com/anthemawards
Twitter:@anthemawards
Instagram: @anthemawards
LinkedIn: The Anthem Awards
YouTube: wbby.co/anthem-youtube

About The Anthem Awards:

The Anthem Awards, the Webby Awards newest initiative, was developed to recognize the breadth of social good work (online and offline) around the globe by honoring the organizations, brands, and people creating long-lasting impact; including, Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion; Education, Art, & Culture; Health; Human & Civil Rights; Humanitarian Action & Services; Responsible Technology;  and Sustainability, Environment, & Climate. By amplifying the voices that spark global change, the Anthem Awards are defining a new benchmark for impactful work that inspires others to take action in their communities. Founded in partnership with the Ad Council, Born This Way Foundation, Feeding America, Glaad, Mozilla, NAACP, NRDC, WWF, and XQ. Visit anthemawards.com

About The Webby Awards:

Hailed as the “Internet’s highest honor” by The New York Times, The Webby Awards is the leading international awards organization honoring excellence on the Internet, including Websites; Video; Advertising, Media & PR; Apps, Mobile, and Voice; Social; Podcasts; and Games. Established in 1996, The Webby Awards received more than 13,500 entries from all 50 states and 70 countries worldwide this year. The Webby Awards are presented by the International Academy of Digital Arts and Sciences (IADAS). Sponsors and Partners of The Webby Awards include Verizon, WP Engine, YouGov, Brandlive, Canva, NAACP, KPMG,  Fast Company, Wall Street Journal, MediaPost, Podcast Movement, and AIGA. Visit webbyawards.com