Lecturer Frank Ordia Receives Historic Preservation Award

Frank E. Ordia, lecturer in the College of Architecture, has received the 2023 Great Commoner Award, presented by the Preservation Association of Lincoln (PAL). Among eight awards presented annually by PAL, the Great Commoner Award recognizes outstanding efforts in preservation education. Ordia was honored with the award at PAL’s Annual Meeting, Awards Ceremony & 30th Birthday Celebration. The event was held at Assemblage, a privately-owned gallery in downtown Lincoln.

Frank Ordia teaches a course in historic preservation in the Community and Regional Planning Program in the College of Architecture. Ordia, who serves on the Board of Directors of PAL, has successfully encouraged UNL students to become PAL members and actively participate in the organization’s historic preservation efforts and events.

PAL’s Great Commoner Award takes its name from the moniker of William Jennings Bryan, born in 1860. Bryan came to Nebraska in 1887 and soon thereafter was elected to Congress. He was a gifted orator and was a nominee/candidate and runner-up in three U.S. presidential elections (1896, 1900, and 1908).

Students, faculty and staff are welcome and encouraged to join PAL to advance the cause of historic preservation in Lincoln! For further information about PAL and online membership enrollment, go to https://www.preservelincoln.org/