AIA Nebraska Recognizes Day with Inaugural Award and Honors Two Students

AIA Nebraska honors the College of Architecture with three awards at this year’s 2020 Honor and Awards Ceremony held November 4. At the ceremony, AIA presented Professor Jeffrey L. Day, FAIA with the very first Architectural Design | Education award; fourth year, architecture student Geneva Sinkula with the AIAS Undergraduate Award; and first year, master of architecture student Quinn McFadden with the AIAS Graduate Award.

According to AIA Nebraska, the Architectural | Design Education Award recognizes a living person of esteemed character who has rendered distinguished service to the profession of architecture design or to the arts science in a Nebraska institution of higher learning.

“I am honored and humbled to receive this award in the first year given,” said Day. “I am heartened that AIA Nebraska has initiated an honor like this to draw attention to the importance of architectural education for our profession. Not only is academic experience a critical phase in the education of an architect, the academy is, in my view, the research and development wing of the discipline of architecture. The schools of architecture are safe places for the design experimentation – the “basic science” of architecture. I hope that this award signals increased collaboration between the academy and the profession in Nebraska.”

The student awards recognize two members of the American Institute of Architects Students (AIAS), one undergraduate and one graduate, who have shown exceptional leadership and made significant contributions to their academic community at the University of Nebraska College of Architecture.

“I am profoundly grateful for the recognition. AIA Nebraska has always been a great resource,” said Sinkula. “Not only are they committed to the students at the College of Architecture, its members also lead by example in engagement and design. I look up to them and the work they do. AIA Nebraska has acted as a phenomenal bridge between academia and practice in my past four years of school.”

“Receiving the AIAS Graduate Student Honor Award from AIA Nebraska lets me know that what I am doing is being seen and is helping make a difference,” said McFadden.

College of Architecture Dean Katherine Ankerson says these awards are a testament to the caliber of work performed by the college’s faculty and students.

“I’ve watched Quinn and Geneva blossom over the years as leaders and designers, and I couldn’t be prouder of their accomplishments,” said Ankerson. “And Jeff is more than deserving of this prestigious Architectural | Design Education Award. In his 20 years at UNL, Jeff has exemplified a highly successful career that transcends the realms of academy and practice through each of the University missions – teaching, creative activity and service. His work has gained national and international prominence and distinction not only in his creative work, but in teaching as well.”

AIA Nebraska is the state chapter of the American Institute of Architects, the largest professional association for architects, interns and those directly involved in the practice of architecture. AIA NE strives to meet the needs and interests of Nebraska architects and the public they serve by developing public awareness of the value of architecture and the importance of good design.