Architecture student chapter takes highest honors

For the second time in the 20-year history of the School of Architecture, the student organization has received the AIAS National Honor Chapter Award.

Competing with more than 100 accredited architecture programs, the 85-member group was recognized for its activities, expanded membership, spirit, and leadership. The chapter previously won the top honor in the early 1980s.

Faculty adviser Robert Ford said the "spirit and enthusiasm" of the entire membership were major factors in the chapter's ranking.

"As examples, I would point to the large number of students who gave up their Thanksgiving vacation to attend the national student convention," he said. "Also, there were the services of Melanie Hartwig and Paul Matheny as national (AIAS) directors during the academic year."

In June, Mississippi State students took four of the top five honors in a national all-computer design competition also sponsored by the AIAS. Last year, the architecture school became the first in the nation to require the use of laptop computers for all courses, including the design studio.