Congratulations, Class of 2023!
Our largest graduating class yet celebrated with Recognition Day on May 11 and then walked across the stage at Davis Wade Stadium on May 12. They finished their years with reviews in Giles, presenting their senior projects on the final two of seven days of design studio juries. While it was wonderful to celebrate strong studio endeavors at the end of the semester, the accomplishments of our students was non-stop this spring. Alysia Williams was selected as a Future Metropolis 100, which recognizes the best 100 graduating design students in the United States and Canada. Alysia was one of 24 chosen from an undergraduate architecture program, with the selection based on her portfolio, academic achievements, and activities. Elisa Castaneda鈥檚 Aydelott submission was selected as the best project, getting the nod over submissions from Auburn, the University of Tennessee, and the University of Arkansas. Sara Boyte was named as this year鈥檚 Aydelott Travel recipient and William Brotherton was selected as the Trussell Travel fellow. Luke Murray鈥檚 poster on Japanese joinery and CNC fabrication was accepted to the Architectural Research Centers Consortium Conference in Dallas. On the MSU campus, architecture students represented design research well at the Undergraduate Research Symposium. Elisa Castaneda and Travis Bryant shared work of Professors David Perkes and Hans Herrmann鈥檚 fourth-year studio on the 鈥淏lue Economy鈥 addressing coastal resiliency. Assistant Professor Silvina Lopez-Barrera guided Elisa Castaneda, Jacqueline Enriquez, and Arturo Hernandez, while Assistant Professor Duane McLemore guided Ellen Overstreet in undergraduate research projects. Numerous students participated in spring break externships, and the first-year studio explored Dallas and Fort Worth. It has been a productive spring!
As busy as the spring has been, we are preparing for an even busier 2023-2024. This next academic cycle marks the 50th year of our school. We will be celebrating next year through many events, kicking off with a tailgate party before the Arizona football game. Everyone will be invited for the weekend of October 20-22, 2023, for a Chautauqua, or design event, that will include students and alumni, and we鈥檒l have more events in the spring, including a Baseball Tailgate and a Beaux Arts Ball and Alumni Design Awards Celebration. We鈥檙e planning for times to honor past faculty and reconnect with classmates as well as share our aspirations for the next 50 years. Please make plans to visit Starkville and celebrate with us!
All the best,
Karen Cordes Spence, Ph.D., AIA, LEED AP
Director and F.L. Crane Professor
