Creative portfolios. Active participation in student architecture-related organizations and community activities. Passion for architecture. Professional promise. Superb leadership qualities. Outstanding academic records. Commitment to professional licensure. Understanding of architecture based in citizenship.
These comments were among the Michigan Architectural Foundation’s (MAF) Scholarship Jury’s feedback regarding its 2020 scholarship winners. The jury recently awarded ten scholarships totaling $24,000 to Michigan college and university architecture students.
MAF awards the scholarships annually to students who are completing a Bachelor’s Degree program and who have been accepted or are currently enrolled in a professional program leading to a Master of Architecture degree. One scholarship, the Richard M. and Sydney K. Robinson Scholarship, is awarded annually to a student at the University of Michigan completing their first year of architecture studies.
MAF 2020 Scholarship Winners (l to r): Jessica Brethour, Ryan Johns, Taylor Kile, Angela Lazarte, Jacob Nugent, Alexander Sulek, and Anthony Vannoy.
MAF’s 2020 scholarship recipients (and their scholarships) are:
Jessica Brethour, Lawrence Technological University
Daniel W. Toshach & AIA Saginaw Valley Chapter Scholarship
Ryan Johns, Lawrence Technological University
American Institute of Architects Scholarship and the Katherine and John Banicki Scholarship
Taylor Kile, University of Detroit Mercy
AIA Michigan President’s Scholarship and the Professional Concepts Insurance Agency (PCIA) Scholarship
Angela Lazarte, University of Detroit Mercy
Leslie D. Tincknell Scholarship
Jacob Nugent, University of Michigan
Richard M. and Sidney K. Robinson Scholarship. The award is co-sponsored by the Huron Valley Chapter of the AIA.
Alexander Sulek, University of Michigan
Kenneth Neumann Design Scholarship. The award includes a summer internship at Neumann Smith Associates in Southfield. In addition, he was awarded the inaugural Paul Stachowiak & Integrated Design Solutions (IDS) Scholarship.
Anthony Vannoy, University of Detroit Mercy
HED Alvin Ernest Harley AIAS Graduate Scholarship
“In their applications and supporting materials, each of MAF’s 2020 scholarship winners not only demonstrated talent and promise for a career in architecture, but also commitment to moving the profession forward,” said Tim Casai, FAIA, MAF scholarship juror and 2020 MAF President. “These students represent the future of architecture, and the Michigan Architectural Foundation is pleased to help support them as they work towards completion of their architectural education.”
Scholarship applicants are required to submit a completed application form; a full college transcript; a personal statement describing their leadership, design, and community accomplishments and activities; a copy of their design portfolio; two letters of reference, and a personal budget. Each scholarship defines specific judging criteria, including financial need. Robinson Scholarship applicants must submit a completed application, college transcript, an essay on the topic of the architect as a Citizen/Artist, and a design portfolio. MAF scholarship recipients also are required to be residents of the state of Michigan.
Casai is one of five MAF board members who comprised the scholarship jury, along with Les Tincknell, FAIA; Gene Hopkins, FAIA; Chuck Lewis, AIA; and Norm Hammon, Jr., AIA. The jury was rounded out by Joel Smith, AIA and Ross Kaplan, Neumann Smith Associates; Katherine Banicki, FESD, TEC Inc.; Michael Cosgrove, Professional Concepts Insurance Agency; and Michael Cooper, PE, Harley Ellis Devereaux. A separate jury consisting of Casai and Hopkins, along with Sidney Robinson, AIA; Jan Culbertson, FAIA; and Damian Farrell, FAIA, reviewed the Robinson Scholarship applications.
MAF’s scholarship program began in 2001, with one scholarship. Since then, MAF scholarship awards have grown and been underwritten due to the generosity of MAF donors, and through the considerable time and efforts MAF board members dedicate to numerous fundraising activities to support the program, including MAF’s annual ‘Fore a Great Cause’ Golf Outing and Auction for Education events.
For more information on MAF’s Scholarship program, click here. Want to help support the academic goals of Michigan’s architecture students? Click here to donate to MAF’s scholarship program.