11/16/20

AMES, Iowa — Cassandra Frazier of Ankeny will represent the Iowa State University College of Design as its student marshal at the university’s virtual commencement ceremony Saturday, Nov. 28. Her faculty escort will be Rob Whitehead, associate professor of architecture.

A member of the Dean’s List and top 2 percent of her class for eight semesters at Iowa State, Frazier will graduate summa cum laude with a bachelor of architecture and a minor in sustainability. She was a member of the National Society of Collegiate Scholars, Iowa Women in Architecture Students, American Institute of Architecture Students, Iowa State Swim Club, Cantamus Choir, Iowa State Dance Club and The Salt Company.

Frazier was an architectural intern at Hy-Vee Headquarters the past two summers. She also served as a College of Design Core Design Program peer mentor and a Destination Iowa State leader, and a student coach for the Iowa State Swim Club.

She received the Enlow and Melena Ose Presidential Scholarship (in recognition of status as a National Merit Scholar Finalist), the Design Excellence Scholarship from the College of Design, Ankeny Dollars for Scholars and the Luke Altmix Simmons Foundation and Masters Builders of Iowa Scholarship.

Frazier chose Whitehead to be her faculty escort because of his mentorship and the passion he shows for serving others through architecture, she said.

“His philosophy on architectural education and practice has made a huge impact on me,” Frazier said. “My semester of studio with him was one of my very favorites — he mentored us through an affordable housing project and made us feel excited about the process. He is truly an inspiration.”

Frazier will get married in January and plans to pursue an architecture position “and start using my degree to make a positive impact on the world.”

The daughter of Chris and Gretchen Frazier of Ankeny, Frazier is a 2016 graduate of Ankeny Centennial High School. Her mother received a bachelor of business administration in accounting from Iowa State in 1993. Her sister, Chloe, is a junior studying mathematics education at ISU.

Contacts

Cassandra Frazier, Architecture graduating senior, cfrazier@iastate.edu
Heather Sauer, Design Communications, hsauer@iastate.edu

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