Cameron Campbell named inaugural Monson Professor in Architecture at Iowa State University
Pictured above: Iowa State University President Wendy Wintersteen, ISU College of Design Dean Luis Rico-Gutierrez, Monson Professor in Architecture Cameron Campbell, Julie Monson, Margaret Monson and Kevin Monson
AMES, Iowa — Cameron Campbell, an associate professor and interim chair of the Iowa State University Department of Architecture, has been named the first holder of the Kevin and Julie Monson Professorship in Architecture at Iowa State.
Iowa State alumnus Kevin Monson and his wife, Julie, created the endowed professorship to help raise the profile of the Department of Architecture’s teaching and research and honor the faculty members who inspired Kevin’s professional success in architecture. Monson received a bachelor of arts in architecture with distinction from ISU in 1973 and is the founder and chairman emeritus of Neumann Monson Architects.
An award-winning architectural photographer, Campbell joined the Iowa State faculty in 1999. He served as the College of Design’s associate dean for academic programs from January 2016–June 2017 and as senior associate dean for planning and academic personnel from July 2017–June 2022. He has served as interim chair of the architecture department since July 2023.
Campbell and the Monsons were recognized by ISU President Wendy Wintersteen in a campus ceremony Oct. 9.
“The Monson Professorship is a perfect example of how philanthropy helps us accomplish our mission of preparing the next generation of leaders who, like Mr. Monson, will impact lives through architecture. It allows us to support faculty who, like Professor Campbell, can bridge the technical and artistic aspects of the field,” said Luis Rico-Gutierrez, dean of the College of Design.
“Professor Campbell’s unique blend of skills — from his healthcare design expertise to his remarkable ability to uncover the beauty, function and context of architecture through photography — makes him the ideal first recipient of this honor.”
About Campbell
Campbell received a bachelor of architecture in 1997 and a master of architecture in 2003, both from Iowa State. He is a registered architect in Iowa. He has taught entry-level through advanced architecture courses for the past 25 years, including an architectural photography class and an interdisciplinary studio in health and wellness design.
He served as the faculty advisor for the DATUM Student Journal of Architecture from 2000 to 2016 and has held many roles working with the architecture curriculum, including chair of the departmental curriculum committee. He’s also served on the College of Design’s Academic Affairs Council, including three years as chair, and on the ISU Faculty Senate Curriculum Committee.
Since 2014, Campbell has been the Iowa State representative to the Architecture and Health Educators Summit hosted by the American Institute of Architects (AIA) Academy of Architecture for Health and American College of Healthcare Architects. Student teams from his studios have been invited to participate in design charrettes at national healthcare design conferences and have won awards in national competitions.
Campbell’s architectural photography has been published in Iowa Architect Magazine, the book “Campus Beautiful: Shaping the Aesthetic of Iowa State University Museums” and the Iowa State University Foundation’s Forward magazine. He has photographed award-winning work completed by Neumann Monson Architects, INVISION Architecture, ASK Studio, Goché Inclusions and other Iowa architecture and design firms.
“Not many recipients can say they know the donors personally, but I have had the distinct privilege of spending time with Kevin Monson during more than a few pre-dawn architectural photoshoots,” Campbell said.
“During these shoots, I got to know Mr. Monson through deeply engaging conversations while waiting for the light to be perfect. These experiences with him and with other architects I’ve had to good fortune to work with inform the story I tell through photos, and the conversations are lessons I bring back to the classroom.”
About the Monsons
Kevin Monson established Neumann Monson Architects with Roy Neumann in 1977. After accepting the role of president in 1993, he guided the firm from seven employees to 50 professionals anchored in Iowa City and Des Moines. Under his leadership, Neumann Monson has helped set the standard for innovative architecture and sustainable design in Iowa and grown to become one of the largest and most respected firms in the Midwest. Monson retired as president in 2018 and board chairman in 2020.
Over his nearly 50-year career, Monson contributed to the profession in myriad ways, including service on the AIA Iowa chapter board of directors (president in 2007), Iowa Architectural Examining Board (president from 1998-2000 and 2002-2003), National Council of Architectural Registration Boards’ Professional Conduct Committee (chair from 1997-2000) and Procedures and Documents Committee (chair from 2002-2004), and ISU Department of Architecture Advisory Council (chair from 2012-2015).
In 2018, Monson received the AIA Iowa Medal of Honor in recognition of distinguished service to the profession. In 2022, he received the Christian Petersen Design Award, the highest honor bestowed by the ISU College of Design for contributions to the advancement of design through personal aesthetic achievement, exceptional support and service to the college. He also received numerous state, regional and national design awards for his work on Neumann Monson projects that challenged the status quo and reshaped the urban fabric of Iowa City, Coralville’s Iowa River Landing District, and Des Moines’ East Village, as well as the Sukup South End Zone addition to Jack Trice Stadium.
Julie Monson received a bachelor of business administration from the University of Iowa in 1983 and worked in human resources at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics from 1985-2000. Since 2000, she has volunteered with organizations including the United Way, Iowa City Community School District, Iowa City Public Library and Iowa Public Radio.
The Monsons have been generous supporters of the ISU College of Design and Department of Architecture through gifts to lecture series, scholarships and building funds. Kevin Monson is a life member of the ISU Alumni Association and belongs to the Order of the Knoll Campanile Society.
“My education at Iowa State propelled me into a profession that proved to be exceedingly fulfilling and productive, and one which gave me great joy. Equipped with the knowledge of how to be a lifelong learner and the fundamentals of design, critical thinking, teamwork and ethical practice, I was well prepared for the coming chapters of my career,” Monson said.
“It is with much gratitude for the great foundation of learning in the field of architecture that I received at ISU that Julie and I make this gift establishing a named professorship in the Department of Architecture,” he said. “Our family wishes to share our success with those who made our accomplishments possible and help ensure that the quality of education I received will continue to propel aspiring architects to their own future success.”
Contacts
Cameron Campbell, Monson Professor in Architecture, 515-294-8881, cameronc@iastate.edu
Luis Rico-Gutierreiz, Dean, College of Design, 515-294-7427, lrico@iastate.edu
Tiffany Nagel Spinner, Senior Director of Development, College of Design 515-294-7272, tnagelspinner@foundation.iastate.edu
Heather Sauer, Director of Strategic Communications, College of Design, 515-294-9289, hsauer@iastate.edu
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