2024 was a year powered by boundless energy of creativity, collaboration, and community. From exploring global design perspectives to celebrating the achievements of our talented students and alumni, every moment was a testament to the dynamic spirit that drives the College of Architecture and Design.
As we look back, we honor the energy that has propelled us forward, inspiring innovation, connection, and resilience in everything we do.
January
The School of Interior Architecture led its first winter mini-term program abroad to Cambodia, Thailand, and Vietnam. Led by Assistant Professor Hojung Kim and Professor David Matthews, 23 students experienced an immersive look into the history of arts and crafts techniques.
February
Surrounded by alumni, friends and industry partners, Dean Jason Young announced the college’s launch as a part of the University of Tennessee, Knoxville’s It Takes A Volunteer campaign.
During the celebration, Young announced the college’s $25 million goal and introduced campaign co-chairs Marc (‘85) and Ruth Ann Rowland (‘86) and Matthew (’97) and Stephanie (’97, ’99) Boomhower.
Throughout the campaign, the college seeks to make design education as vivid as possible through hands on exploration, a robust research culture, cutting-edge facilities and technology, and global connections and engagement opportunities.
March
Graphic Design and Interior Architecture students were recognized by industry magazines as top graduates across the country.GDUSA named Lauren Favier and Jaiden Kasaval amongst more than 100 students from across 60 of America’s leading art and design schools and programs. METROPOLIS recognized Anna Shoemaker and Kathryn Webb as two of the top 100 architecture and interior design students in the nation.
April
Sandy Attia, principal and co-founder of Modus Architects, shared her innovative approaches to sustainable design as the 2024 General Shale Lecture speaker. Her lecture highlighted her firm’s globally recognized projects, which blend environmental sensitivity with functional beauty, inspiring students to pursue meaningful and impactful careers in architecture. Attia’s work exemplifies how sustainable design principles can elevate architecture and positively impact communities.
May
Cofounder and CEO of archimania Barry Alan Yoakum, FAIA (’78) delivered the commencement address, motivating our spring graduates with his story of resilience, innovation, and the importance of serving communities through design.
Prior to the ceremony, Yoakum was recognized by the UT chapter of Tau Sigma Delta Honors Society with the Silver Medal, an honor which celebrates a professional with a distinction in design in architecture, landscape architecture or the allied arts.
June
Gensler announced rising fourth-year interior architecture students Kate O’Neil and Cecilia Torres-Panzera as two of three recipients of the 2024 Gensler Brinkmann Scholarship, an annual program that celebrates design excellence and innovative thinking. The pair mark the sixth and seventh award recipients in the past ten years in the college.
July
The School of Architecture and the School of Interior Architecture’s study abroad programs open up transformative opportunities for students to explore the world through the lens of design. From the tranquil forests of Finland to the bustling cities of Japan, students immerse themselves in new cultures, architectural traditions, and diverse perspectives. These experiences cultivate a deeper understanding of global design practices, sparking innovation and expanding their creative boundaries. Whether navigating the minimalist beauty of Finnish architecture or drawing inspiration from Japan’s harmonious blend of the historic and modern, our students engage with design in ways that go far beyond the classroom.
Caroline Robertson and Beshoy Daniel, fourth-year architecture students in the Finland program, describe how the serene Nordic landscapes shaped their understanding of sustainable design and simplicity. In Japan, fourth-year interior architecture students Michelle Chen and Kate Stähli found inspiration in the juxtaposition of ancient temples and cutting-edge urbanism. They shared that studying abroad enriched their education not only by teaching them about architecture and design but also by challenging them to grow personally and professionally.
August
The university welcomed the largest in-state population for first-year students in the university history and set a new record for retention.
The college hosted its annual Welcome (Back) event following the first week of classes.
September
The families of the University of Tennessee, Knoxville’s Architecture Class of 2027 established the Jeff and Marla Gerber Honorary Scholarship Endowment to recognize the couple’s extraordinary generosity. In 2023, the Gerbers gave a $5.2 million gift to cover tuition and fees for all 78 students in the class, transforming their educational journeys. Inspired by this unprecedented act of philanthropy, the families joined together to create an endowment that will support a third-year architecture student annually, ensuring the Gerbers’ legacy continues to shape the college and its students for years to come.
October
The School of Landscape Architecture ‘s Scottie McDaniels and School of Architecture’s Marshall Prado exhibited collaborative research as a part of the Wormfarm Institute’s tenth iteration of Farm/Art DTOUR. The 12 feet tall, the installation, “Rural Construct,” was built using technologies such as robotics, cnc milling, digital scanning, computational modeling and other advanced tools to discuss how traditional hunting structures that hold deep significance in rural communities.
More than 20 architecture, interior architecture, and landscape architecture studios held final reviews ahead of the Thanksgiving break. More than 70 reviewers from across the country and throughout of college provided critical and insightful feedback to our students.
December
The college celebrated more than 20 architecture and interior architecture graduates during the university’s commencement ceremony.
