| News | Calendar | Directory | Index |
|
Schwennsen receives AIA Iowa Educator Award Kate Schwennsen, professor of architecture and associate dean for academic programs in the ISU College of Design, received the 2009 Educator Award from the Iowa Chapter of the American Institute of Architects (AIA Iowa) at the Central States Region/AIA Iowa Annual Convention in Des Moines. 10/21/09
Contacts:
Kate Schwennsen, Architecture, (515) 294-7428, kschwenn@iastate.edu
Calvin Lewis, Architecture, (515) 294-2665,
calewis@iastate.edu
Heather Sauer, College of Design communications, (515)
294-9289, hsauer@iastate.edu
AMES, Iowa -- Kate Schwennsen, professor of architecture and
associate dean for academic programs in the College of Design at Iowa State
University, received the 2009 Educator Award from the Iowa Chapter of the
American Institute of Architects (AIA Iowa) Oct. 16 at the Central States
Region/AIA Iowa Annual Convention in Des Moines.
The award recognizes individuals for their contributions to
architectural education in Iowa. Recipients have positively influenced a large
number and wide range of students, are forward-thinking and integrate other
areas of expertise into their teaching.
 "Kate has always created an environment of mutual respect
and high expectations. She demonstrates a consistent and compassionate focus on
improved opportunities for others, particularly the underrepresented," said
Calvin Lewis, chair of the ISU architecture department. "Engagement and high performance by her students and peers has been the inevitable result."
Schwennsen has taught architecture at Iowa State since 1990
and was promoted to full professor in 2008. She serves as a frequent guest
critic for a number of courses and teaches the professional practice class for
architecture students. She has served as associate dean for academic programs
in the College of Design since 2001.
In 2006, Schwennsen was the second woman, second educator
and second Iowan to serve as president of the now 152-year-old American
Institute of Architects. In this highly visible role, as well as in other
international, national, regional and state leadership positions, she has
worked to advance the architecture profession by bringing together students,
educators, interns and practitioners to collaborate and learn from one another.
"Kate's leadership within the AIA incorporates her
perspectives as an educator and the perspectives of the students she
represents. In her success, she is a role model and mentor to many people,"
said Michael Meehan, a 1994 Iowa State architecture graduate and professional development
manager with BWBR Architects in St. Paul, Minn.
Schwennsen is a Fellow of the AIA, an Honorary Senior Fellow
of the Design Futures Council, an Honorary Fellow of the Korean Institute of
Architects and an Honorary Member of the Japan Institute of Architects,
Federacion de Arqitectos de la Republica Mexicana, Royal Architectural
Institute of Canada and Royal Australian Institute of Architects. She was
awarded the Presidential Medal for Distinguished Service by the National
Council of Architectural Registration Boards in 2002 and the Medal of Honor by
AIA Iowa in 2003. She currently is co-vice president for Region III (the
Americas) of the UNESCO/UIA (International Union of Architects) Validation
Committee for Architecture Education.
Schwennsen received a bachelor of arts in architecture
(1978) and a master of architecture degree (1980) from Iowa State. Before
returning to the university to teach full time, she worked for Bloodgood
Architects and Planners and Engelbrecht and Griffin Architects, both in Des
Moines.
-30-
|