Contact: Leah Barbour
Photo by: Beth Wynn
Harriet Mayor Fulbright, president of the J. William & Harriet Fulbright Center, visited Mississippi State on Friday to emphasize the importance of education to the university's graduating architects.
The widow of Sen. J. William Fulbright of Arkansas, Fulbright offered the endowed Dr. William L. and Jean Giles Memorial Lecture for the School of Architecture's annual Recognition Day.
"Mrs. Fulbright believes that education facilitates peace: That countries with good, universal education through the primary grades and beyond are significantly more peaceful," said Jane Britt Greenwood, associate professor of architecture and MSU Fulbright faculty representative. "Her own teaching experiences exemplify this."
Fulbright's address focused on her late husband's lifelong commitment to education, and her own, and the overall importance of international experience informing that learning.
"The sources of strength lie in learning -- in history, art, ecology, science, technology and business, just to name a few," she said. "Moral values, faith and knowledge should be gained only through a system of education that teaches understanding: training that gives every student the ability and the desire to complete their learning in our society."
Democracy relies upon an educated citizenry, Fulbright said, and worldwide peace results when we respect and embrace other cultures. To break down the barriers of prejudice, educators must lead the way to understanding and knowledge, she emphasized.
"We can and we must use our minds and our hearts to ensure that all youth are given the best education possible to ensure a peaceful and productive future for our nation and for the world," Fulbright said. "I certainly praise this university for doing the very best in that area."
Among Fulbright's many honors are the Maharishi Award for contributions to international understanding through education; El Orden de Manuel Amador Guerrero, Panama's highest civilian award; and Fulbright Award for Contribution to International Understanding.
Students and graduates receiving awards during Recognition Day included, by hometown:
ARAB, Ala. -- Samantha King, third-year architecture student and daughter of William Patrick King III and Yvonne Rockweiler, received the Brick Industry Association Traveling Fellowship Award and $1,000 for her semester-long, third-year studio project in the BIA Design Competition.
BILOXI -- Haley Whiteman, third-year architecture student and daughter of Glen and Diana Whiteman, received the Brick Industry Association Traveling Fellowship Award and $1,000 for her semester-long, third-year studio project in the BIA Design Competition.
CARTHAGE -- Joel Wasser, spring 2013 graduate and son of William Wasser and Jane Woods, received the Fifth-Year Jurists Award in recognition of his personal growth as a designer and his contribution to the fifth-year design studio.
GULFPORT -- Matt Robinson, spring 2013 graduate and son of Johnny and Cheryl Robinson, received the American Institute of Architects Henry Adams Medal, the top award presented to a graduating student. The medal marks general excellence in architecture throughout the course of study.
JACKSON -- Scott Penman, spring 2013 graduate and son of Alan and Anne Penman, received the Academic Achievement Award because he completed his architecture studies at MSU with the highest cumulative GPA in the class.
Penman also received the American Institute of Architects Henry Adams Certificate, the runner-up award for general excellence in architecture throughout the course of study.
Will Randolph, spring 2013 graduate and son of William Randolph and Julie Alexander, received the Creative Windows & Doors/Marvin Window Traveling Fellowship, a $4,000 traveling award.
Andrew Robertson, spring 2013 graduate and son of David and Faustina Robertson, received the Fifth-Year Jurists Award in recognition of his personal growth as a designer and his contribution to the fifth-year design studio.
PETAL -- Chelsea Pierce, fourth-year architecture student and daughter of Ronnie and Angela Pierce, received the Architectural Research Centers Consortium King Award in recognition of her innovation, integrity and scholarship in architectural and/or environmental design research.
STARKVILLE -- Dennis Daniels, spring 2013 graduate, received the Fifth-Year Jurists Award in recognition of his personal growth as a designer and his contribution to the fifth-year design studio. (Parent information not available.)
SUMMERDALE, Ala. -- Carolyn Lundemo, spring 2013 graduate and daughter of Dwain and Ellen Arterburn, received the Alpha Ro Chi medal, in recognition of her leadership, service and professional merit in MSU's School of Architecture.