UDC Architecture Chair, Student Win NOMA Awards

The Washington, DC Chapter of the National Organization of Minority Architects (DCNOMA) hosted the 8th Annual Lankford-Giles-Vaughn (LGV) Minority Architect Awards on February 25, 2016, at the University of the District of Columbia’s (UDC) new Student Center. With a theme of "Celebrating the Journey" the event honored five individuals in the fields of architecture, development, scholastic excellence, architectural education, and community service. Dr. Susan Kliman, chairperson, UDC Department of Architecture and Urban Sustainability, and UDC student Karl Griffin were among the award recipients. Philip Freelon, FAIA, NOMA, Director of Design with Perkins Will and Architect of Record for the Smithsonian National Museum of African-American History and Culture, delivered the keynote address.

Named for three African-American architects who worked in the city in the early 1900’s and helped to shape the District of Columbia through their designs, the awards recognize collective works and not a particular design or project. UDC architecture student, Karl Griffin, was named Student of the Year, while Dr. Susan Kliman received the Barbara G. Laurie Educator of the Year Award. 

“I am very humbled to have been honored by the DC Chapter of the National Organization of Minority Architect as the 2016 Barbara G. Laurie Professor of Architecture of the Year," said Dr. Kliman. "What an honor to be recognized for simply doing a job that I love.”

Founded in 1971 to champion diversity within the design professions by promoting the excellence, community engagement, and professional development of its members, NOMA and its chapters have been instrumental in supporting minority architects and students throughout their careers. DCNOMA serves and promotes the interests of underrepresented groups within the design profession and community at large through professional education programs, public advocacy, community service projects, partnership with allied organizations, student support, and promotion of the design profession to the youth of today. Proceeds will benefit the DCNOMA Scholarship fund and to support other educational programs like the East of the River Career Exposure Camp, part of NOMA's Project Pipeline initiative. UDC Distinguished Professor of Architecture Clarence Pearson, FAIA, has previously been named Professor of Architecture of the Year.

The UDC Department of Architecture and Urban Sustainability educates the next generation of architects with an emphasis on preparing them to make a significant impact on the sustainable infrastructure and urban sustainability initiatives of the District of Columbia and urban areas around the world; stressing the importance of design as a tool for creating sustainable urban environments through research-based academic collaboration with partners in the health professions, nutrition science, environmental studies, water resource management and  agriculture. For more information, visit www.udc.edu/architecture.

For more information on DCNOMA visit www.dcnoma.org.