Fellowship recognizes those who have made significant contributions to architecture and society on a national level. It is among the Institute’s highest honors and one that only about 3% of the membership of AIA ever achieve. Last Friday I was most honored to have been named to the 2019 class of the College of Fellows of the American Institute of Architects, a distinction I truly never expected.
Many thanks to my sponsor, Marcel Quimby, FAIA, who first suggested I could be a candidate for Fellowship and for guiding/helping/pushing me through the process. Also thanks to Fellowship Committee co-chairs Zaida Basora, FAIA, who in 2016 awarded me the chapter’s President’s Medal, a local honor that started the Fellowship ball rolling for me, and Thomas Wurtz, FAIA, for his leadership and constant encouragement. And thanks to Killis Almond, FAIA, who has led an eerily parallel existence to mine except in San Antonio, and who also planted the idea early on that Fellowship for me was within reach. There were many others who have had a tangible role in this achievement and with whom I shall personally share my appreciation.
With recognition comes responsibility, so now I happily accept the responsibility to continue to seek to advance the profession and society, and to assist my colleagues in that quest.
It’s really just all about family. My Team.