Contact: Maridith Geuder
Mississippi State University architecture students regularly visit cities and towns in the Magnolia State to work with citizens wishing to preserve and improve their communities.
That commitment is earning a $15,000 scholarship from Architecture magazine, the American Institute of Architects publication distributed monthly to nearly 100,000 readers. Now in its third year, the scholarship recognizes architectural excellence in an academic curriculum.
Through research and design activities, the MSU School of Architecture's Small Town Center promotes municipal preservation and enhancement. Formed in 1979, the center has involved architecture students with more than 100 communities, said director Shannon Criss.
Tupelo, Madison, Ocean Springs, Booneville, Okolona, and Jonestown are among the cities and towns most recently visited. Joining Criss in coordinating the outreach efforts are faculty members Nils Gore, John Poros and Michelle Weaver-Jones.
"This recognition is a demonstration of the outstanding leadership within the center and the excellent work of faculty and students who are involved with communities across Mississippi," said school Dean John McRae.
Acting as architectural consultants, STC teams provide detailed analyses and recommend strategies to develop or restore buildings and neighborhoods. Most recently, students designed and helped build a small public area for the city of Okolona.
The center's work is featured in the April issue of Architecture. In the essay, Criss observes that, "When students, faculty and practicing architects engage a community, it increases the community's appreciation and awareness of their own place."
Last year, the American Institute of Architecture Students presented Criss with its Educator Honor Award while selecting the center to receive the Research Honor Award.