Congratulations to the Class of 2024
On Saturday, May 11, The University of Texas at Austin School of Architecture recognized its 2024 graduates at its 111th commencement ceremony. The celebratory occasion took place in the newly renovated Hogg Memorial Auditorium and featured a commencement address by the architect and historian Luis E. Carranza. In his address, Carranza encouraged graduates to live in the present, embrace the journey, and to consider momentous occasions and small moments alike as stops and waylays along the path of a bigger story.
As he concluded: “Do not live in the past or in regret of a future that could have been. Live to grow old, beautifully and transcendentally. Live intensely, totally and eternally in the present. This present. Every present. Because it is only you, dear graduate, dear class of 2024, who can define your future. Our possible futures.”
Congratulations to all our graduates – We cannot wait to see what your future’s hold and all the ways you will go on to change the world!
Below is the list of students, faculty, and staff, who were recognized with awards as part of the ceremony. To watch the entire commencement ceremony, including Dean Heather Woofter’s remarks and Carranza’s full address, visit the School of Architecture’s YouTube channel.
STUDENT AWARDS
AIA MEDAL FOR ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE
The AIA Medal for Excellence recognizes the top graduating students with a Bachelor of Architecture, Master of Architecture, or Doctor of Architecture from schools accredited by NAAB or CACB
Jenna Hussain
BRONZE ALPHA RHO CHI MEDAL
Judged by the faculty of the school, this medal is presented to one graduate who has shown ability for leadership, performed willing service for the school, and who has promise of real professional merit through their attitude and personality.
Stephen Patrick McCann
OBLESBY PRIZE
Nominated and chosen by the faculty, the Oglesby Prize is awarded to a Bachelor of Architecture or Mater of Architecture student based on merit in architectural design.
Stephen Patrick McCann
PETER O. COLTMAN BOOK PRIZE IN ARCHITECTURE AND PLANNING
Recognizes students from the Architecture and Community and Regional Planning Programs for their exemplification of diligent scholarship and high regard for the role of design and planning in environmental sustainability and civic responsibility.
Janice Hagerman, Master of Community and Regional Planning
Hannah Hill, Master of Architecture
Amy Vaughan, Bachelor of Architecture
AMERICAN INSTITUTE OF CERTIFIED PLANNERS AWARD FOR OUTSTANDING STUDENT
Recognizes exceptional attainment in the study of planning by a student graduating from a Planning Accreditation Board-accredited program.
Abigail Valentine Jackson
AMERICAN PLANNING ASSOCIATON AWARD FOR OUTSTANDING THESIS OR PROFESSIONAL REPORT IN COMMUNITY AND REGIONAL PLANNING
Awarded by the Central Texas Chapter of the American Planning Association in recognition of achievement in the study of planning.
Shawn Lee
COMMUNITY AND REGIONAL PLANNING ENGAGED PRACTICE
Decolonial Planning Class | Instructor: Bjorn Sletto
Luciana Barretto Lemos
Samira Binte Bashar
Noah Cohen
Joseph El Habr
Reeana Keenen
Rodrigo Leal
Rami Mannan
Sergio Morales
Katherine Perez Quinones
Seth Allen Pilger
Evan Mathis Waring
COMMUNITY AND REGIONAL PLANNING COMMUNITY DESIGN
Environmental Justice Practicum | Instructor: Miriam Solis
Lama Ab Shama
Noah Coehn
Janice Hagerman
Freddie Kirk
Shawn Lee
Kathleen Lu
Jamie Davian Mandujano
Adrian Montoya
Sergio Morales
Katherine Perez Quinones
OUTSTANDING DISSERTATION IN COMMUNITY AND REGIONAL PLANNING
“We Are Not Planning for Equity: An Analysis of Contemporary Comprehensive Plans”
Adam Ogusky
OUTSTANDING RESEARCH PAPER IN ARCHITECTURAL HISTORY
“Khufu’s Men: Defining Meaning of the Logbook of Merer”
Clinton G. Ilenstein III
ASID CERTIFICATE OF HONOR AND MERIT
The American Society of Interior Designers present a Certificate of Honor and a Certificate of Merit to graduating students in interior design.
Hattie Zapalac, Honor Award
Madeleine Wilson, Honor Award
ASLA AWARD OF HONOR AND MERIT
The American Society of Landscape Architects presents an Award of Honor and an Award of Merit to graduating students in landscape architecture. Faculty nominate candidates based on overall preparation to enter the profession, and selections are determined by a jury of members from the central Texas ASLA.
Hayley Brant, Honor Award
Kesari Fleury, Merit Award
FACULTY RECOGNITION PRIZE FOR ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE IN LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE
Awarded to a graduating Master of Landscape Architecture student in recognition of academic excellence.
Kesari Fleury
FACULTY RECOGNITION PRIZE FOR DESIGN EXCELLENCE IN LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE
Awarded to a graduating Master of Landscape Architecture students in recognition of sustained excellence in design.
Elizabeth Geer
OUTSTANDING DISSERTATION IN SUSTAINABLE DESIGN
“Investigation of Sustainability and Community Participation in the Urban Design of UT Austin’s West Campus”
Katherine Claire Alston
ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE IN URBAN DESIGN
Awarded to a graduating urban design student in recognition of academic excellence.
Sukriti Gandhi
URBAN DESIGN ACADEMIC COUNCIL AWARD FOR ADVOCACY IN URBAN DESIGN
Awarded to a student who has exhibited strong agency and potential for leadership in the field of urban design.
Vatsal Bhavesh Shah
STUDENT EMPLOYEE, FACULTY AND STAFF AWARDS
OUTSTANDING TEACHING ASSISTANT
Melanie Ball
OUTSTANDING GRADUATE RESEARCH ASSISTANT
Maeve McHugh
OUTSTANDING STUDENT EMPLOYEE
Nick Payne
OUTSTANDING SCHOLARSHIP
Charles L. Davis II
Professor
OUTSTANDING SERVICE
Elizabeth Danze
Professor
OUTSTANDING TEACHER [LECTURE]
Larry Speck
Professor
OUTSTANDING TEACHER [STUDIO]
Liang Wang
Assistant Professor
OUTSTANDING STAFF
Sarah Wu
Assistant Director of Research
DEAN'S COMMENDATION
Kelsey Stine
Communications Coordinator