Curious about what your classmates have been up to? Our alumni are creative, innovative and engaging. See how our alums are designing the built world around them.
Erleen Hatfield
At least three Huskers played a role in Super Bowl LIII in Atlanta; most memorably, Rex Burkhead, whose overtime touchdown run in the AFC Championship game sealed the New England Patriots’ berth in the Super Bowl held at the new Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
But a less prominent Husker was partially responsible for the Mercedes-Benz Stadium itself being there at all. Erleen Hatfield, a 1991 and 1996 graduate of Nebraska’s architecture and engineering schools, was the structural engineer of record for the $1.6 billion stadium.
That means Hatfield was ultimately responsible for every mathematical calculation that went into making sure the 2-million-square-foot stadium would stand flush and plumb, that its 728-foot roof trusses would bear the load of a 2,000-ton scoreboard hung from the roof and that the structure, which includes a 16-story window, would withstand any amount of wind and rain — plus the mini earthquakes generated by up to 75,000 rabid fans.
Phuong Nguyen
Since she was young, Phuong Nguyen has been passionate about design and the spaces around her. After coming to Nebraska from Ha Long, Vietnam, she immersed herself in interior design and architecture, earning a B.S. in interior design in 2014 and an M.S. in architecture in 2017. Today, she’s an architect at BVH Architecture — where she’s worked on projects that uplift communities — and a mentor for international students in the College of Architecture and those interested in design, architecture, engineering and more.
I came from Vietnam. I am Vietnamese. I left my home in Vietnam 11 years ago to come to America, with the hope for a better education and a brighter future. I went to school at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln because I heard they have good architecture and interior design programs. So I got a bachelor's in interior design and a Master's in architecture. I graduated in 2017 and was offered a job in Omaha so I decided to move here.
Austin Arens
Valentine’s Main Street looks a little different lately. In summer 2019, the Nebraska Department of Transportation began repaving Highway 83, which runs through Valentine’s business district, and the Sandhills city got to work revitalizing its downtown streetscape. From revamping parking to installing greenspace, the town of 2,700 is creating a place where visitors feel welcome and residents feel at home. And it’s all been aided by a University of Nebraska–Lincoln alumnus, Austin Arens.
Davielle Phillips
Growing up on the southeast side of Chicago sparked an interest in architecture for Davielle Phillips. After graduating from Lane Technical College Prep High School, he headed to the University of Nebraska–Lincoln with his sights set on making an impact in his community through design. Now an Architectural Designer at Holland Basham Architects, he’s doing just that—and with a Master of Architecture and a Master of Business Administration from the university under his belt, he’s using what he knows to mentor future Husker graduates.
Charyl McAfee-Duncan
The College of Architecture is pleased to announce Charyl F. McAfee-Duncan, FAIA has been selected as this year’s Alumni Master. Charyl is a licensed architect and president and principal of the Dallas office of McAfee3 Architecture and Design. She is the first African American woman fellow of the American Institute of Architects in Dallas and the second in Texas, serving on various Dallas AIA committees. She has led significant projects in the areas of college campus facilities, recreational facilities, transportation and healthcare.
Charles F. McAfee
Charles F. McAfee, FAIA, is a longtime advocate of socioeconomic parity, designer of affordable housing, and the recipient of the distinguished 1999 Whitney Young Award from the American Institute of Architects (AIA).
McAfee’s work has been constantly rooted in social responsibility, even before it became a common term, drawing his design approach from his life experiences of discrimination and segregation, culminating with the development of an affordable housing design and manufacturing plant.
Douglas Bisson
Douglas Bisson is the Community Planning and Urban Design Lead at HDR, a global engineering, architecture, and planning firm, where he specializes in urban design and redevelopment. He is an expert in bringing together key city leaders, business owners, and residents to stimulate economic development and neighborhood revitalization using environmentally friendly, pedestrian-oriented, mixed-use development practices. He was the Project Manager for several notable initiatives in the region, including Aksarben Village, River’s Edge, and the Downtown Omaha 2030 Master Plan. He and his wife Liz live in Omaha.
Tatiana Height
We had the pleasure of visiting with Tatiana Height as she shared her experience as a student and a professional planner with a informal Q & A.
Sherri Privitera
Sherri (Arnold) Privitera, RA, ’94, ’96 Announced as the 2019 Alumni Master.
The College of Architecture is excited to announce Sherri Privitera, RA, as the 2019 Alumni Master. Privitera has dedicated more than 20 years to collegiate sports projects in the sports architecture industry. Her involvement in more than 65 projects at 50 universities, including the $266 million McLane Stadium at Baylor University, has made her one of the leading architects in sports facilities. As both a mother and the senior principal at the Kansas City-based architecture firm Populous, Privitera has become well versed at what she calls work-life integration.
Jeff Monzu
The College of Architecture is pleased to announce alum and Professional Advisory Council member Jeff Monzu of LEO A DALY, AIA, has been named the winner of Healthcare Design’s HCD 10 award in the category of Architect. The annual award honors healthcare professionals in 10 categories, highlighting a broad spectrum of industry leaders and their accomplishments over the last year.
Kristine Dorn
Kristine Dorn, IIDA, Associate AIA, '05
Education Design Director for
Kristine Dorn is the Education Design Director at Hollis + Miller Architects. Previously, Dorn worked as a president of BVH Architecture, an architectural firm engaged in the design and preservation of the built environment. After a career in retail marketing, Kristine found her true passion in interior design and began her career at BVH in 2005. Solid instincts and an ability to clearly see the heart of the problem and quickly find solutions have led her to find success across numerous projects in the religious, education, and business sectors. Dorn’s ability to hone and define clear messages and strategies has also led her and her colleagues to contribute to many cultural and historic projects across the Midwest, including award-winning projects like the Stuhr Museum of the Prairie Pioneer and Rangeland Laboratory at Chadron State College.
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