As a department, we thank all of you who have reached out with calls, texts, prayers, or visits in the wake of the deaths of our two seniors. Dallas Colburn and Nathanael Madison were set to graduate from our architecture program in just two weeks, when a terrible car accident took their lives suddenly and without warning. The whole campus is grieving together, and God is showing up in astounding ways. We do not know why they are gone, but we know Dallas and Nate are in the presence of God now.

So many of you have asked how you can help. Certainly, continue to pray for our students, staff, and faculty as we grieve and struggle through the last weeks of an already difficult semester. Pray for the families affected and for our two students who survived the crash. One is still in the hospital, though his injuries are manageable. If you wish to send a card to the families, please call our departmental office.

If you are inclined to give financially, generous donors have created a fund in memory of Dallas Colburn and Nathanael Madison to establish scholarships for Architecture students. To give online visit the scholarship giving page: bit.ly/2PbFfVG. You will need to generate a login to access the site.

Information on memorial services will be posted as it becomes available. We plan to honor Nathanael and Dallas during our online awards ceremony during finals week. Thank you for your prayers for Judson’s students and their families during this difficult time.

“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit” (Psalm 34:18).

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Student Awards

Architecture and Interior Design

Academic Year 2019-2020

Congratulations to all Department of Architecture and Interior Design students who graduated in 2020. Despite unprecedented adversity, you finished your coursework with courage and aplomb. We pause now to reflect on a few students whose achievements warrant additional praise for their excellence in academics, creativity, leadership, and service. Join me in congratulating this elite group of learners who demonstrate the best of what our programs aspire to be. To God be the glory, for great things is He doing in the lives of our graduates.

AIA Henry Adams Medal and Certificate

The American Institute of Architects issues the Henry Adams Medal and the Henry Adams Certificate. The former awarded to the graduating Master of Architecture candidate with the highest cumulative grade point average, and the latter to the graduating undergraduate candidate in architecture with the highest cumulative GPA. It is important to point out that, in a discipline like architecture, GPA, measures much more than ‘book smarts”.

Medal:  Lacey Wells

The 2019-2020 recipient of the Henry Adams Medal for academic excellence is Lacey Wells. Throughout her undergraduate and graduate career at Judson University, Lacey has consistently excelled in her studies, engaging all of her coursework with diligence and tenacity.

Certificate:  Maxwell Starcevich

The 2019-2020 recipient of the Henry Adams Certificate for academic excellence is Maxwell Starcevich. Max has demonstrated a consistent, high level of academic and creative performance that has earned him this high honor.

Alpha Rho Chi Medal

Since 1931, the Alpha Rho Chi Medal has recognized graduating architecture students for leadership and service toward the future of the profession. The medal, cast in bronze, is awarded annually to a graduating senior at each accredited school of architecture in the United States and Canada. Judged by the faculty of each school, the medal is presented to the graduating senior who has demonstrated leadership, performed willing service to his or her school or department, and gives promise of real professional merit.

Medal & Certificate:  Elizabeth Van Bruggen

The architecture faculty of Judson University has unanimously selected Elizabeth Van Bruggen as the 2019-2020 recipient of this award.  Elizabeth has displayed a heart of servant-leadership in her activities on campus and off. She has modeled a selfless service to the Department of Architecture and to her fellow students, always with a smile. Her dedication to her studies and her success in the classroom has been exemplary and has placed her in good stead to serve and to excel in the profession of architecture.

ALA Student Merit Award

The Association of Licensed Architects annually recognizes top graduates, regionally, for academic excellence in architecture. This year they have recognized one UG and one graduate student. Each student will receive a Lucite plaque and an annual membership to the ALA.

Graduate:  Kate Davenport

UG:  Caleb Rutter

Tau Sigma Delta Honor Society Bronze Medal

Tau Sigma Delta is the national honor society in architecture and the allied arts. The Tau Sigma Delta Bronze Medal is awarded by the campus chapters of Tau Sigma Delta to a student who has distinguished him/herself in design in the field of architecture, landscape architecture, or the  allied arts. The selection of the recipient is made by the student membership of each chapter.

Medal & Certificate:  Maxwell Starcevich

The Tau Sigma Delta Bronze Medal is awarded by individual chapters of Tau Sigma Delta to students who have distinguished themselves in design in the field of architecture, landscape architecture, or the allied arts. The selection of the recipient is made by the student and alumni membership of each chapter. The Bronze Medal recipient for 2020 is Maxwell Starcevich. Max was selected by his peers for this award on the basis of his portfolio and an essay submission on the topic of “shelter”.

Outstanding Performance in Fourth Year Design

The fourth year undergraduate Architectural Design studio, which just culminated a few days ago, is a critical component to accredited architectural education, and it is a heroic pursuit to design and deliver a technically integrated building idea. Each year, the teaching faculty recognize a short list of students for outstanding performance in balancing the design and technical considerations required by this studio.

Emmaline Okesson

Adam Wise

Chairs Award for Professional Promise

Creighton North

Chair’s Award for High Distinction

Jarod Pletcher

The Chair’s Award for High Distinction in Service to Judson University is sponsored by the Chair of the Department of Architecture at Judson University and is presented to the graduating senior student who exemplifies leadership in service to the University. The 2019-2020 recipient of the Chair’s Award for High Distinction in Service is Jarod Pletcher. Jarod has performed at the highest levels academically while giving much of his time and talent to serving the Judson community. His commitment to University service is a model for the entire campus, students, staff, and faculty alike. 

Award of High Distinction and Outstanding Performance in Interior Design

The Award of High Distinction and Outstanding Performance in Interior Design recognizes graduating students for academic excellence and exemplary application of interior design principles embodied in both individual / team studio projects and the capstone senior thesis project identification, preparation, and execution.

Olivia Marshall

Christyanne Wheeler

Architectural Study Tour Fellow

Elise Elliot

The Architectural Study Tour Fellowship is a distinctive honor for a highly qualified Judson graduate student, recognizing academic excellence, leadership capacity, and spiritual/personal maturity. This Fellowship is a competitive award, granted to a current Judson University Master of Architecture student, to serve as a graduate assistant for the ARC 381 Architectural Study Tour. The Fellowship includes all travel and accommodations in addition to a $1000 stipend. The 2019-20 recipient of the Architecture Study Tour Fellowship is Elise Elliott. Elise has consistently demonstrated her service and commitment to excellence in the architecture department at Judson University. Since the summer 2020 Study Tour was cancelled due to the pandemic, Elise will fulfill her Fellowship duties on the 2021 Study Tour. 

Tau Sigma Delta Honor Society Stoles Presentation

The Tau Sigma Delta Honor Society was established in 1913 to acknowledge outstanding upper-division undergraduate and graduate students who rank in the top 20% of their class. The following graduating seniors join an outstanding group of individuals and active professionals nationwide who have demonstrated excellence in your professional degree program.

Jennifer Iverson

Olivia Marshall

Brooke Nickell

Jarod Pletcher

Maxwell Starcevich

Elizabeth Van Bruggen

Taylor Wills

Adam Wise

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As many of you are aware, Judson is shifting all coursework to online/distance format for the remainder of the semester. This includes architecture and interior design. Students will receive additional instruction from studio professors this afternoon on how each course will proceed. There are no exceptions for architecture or ID students to stay in the dorms, except if they are international students or athletes. Most students need to clear out of the studio and their residence halls as if it were the end of the semester.
The Weber Center, like many campus buildings, will remain open even as students are away. Faculty and staff will continue to work, though some instructors may choose to work from home as appropriate. Local students are welcome to utilize the studio, wood shop, and possibly the digital fabrication lab on an individual basis.

For general updates from Judson University, visit: https://www.judsonu.edu/coronavirus/

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Prospective students and families are invited to the spring preview events scheduled for February 19-20 and March 31. More information can be found by clicking here. Join us in our exploration of the intersection of Christian faith and architecture.

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