Architecture School Gains Recognition from Magazine

The Fay Jones School of Architecture at the University of Arkansas garnered recognition on several fronts in the November/December issue of DesignIntelligence.

Based on interviews by the design industry publication’s editors and a survey conducted by the Design Futures Council, the Fay Jones School tied for No. 1 in the nation in the Top for Regional Respect and Admiration category. California Polytechnic State University and the University of Oregon shared in that award.

The UA school also tied for first place in the Best Small School Design Program category, along with Rice University and the University of Wisconsin at Milwaukee.

The design council ranked the Fay Jones School 19th among the nation’s 20 best architecture and design schools, and eighth-best program among public universities. Jeff Shannon, the school’s dean, said the recognition “is a clear indication of the quality of our faculty, staff and students, and of the great work they do.”

Also, architecture professor David Buege was selected as one of the 30 most-admired educators for 2013. After gathering input from design professionals, academic leaders and students, the magazine’s staff wrote that Buege “brings a clarity and consistency of rigor, focus and exploration to his work with faculty, administration and students. He has become well known for high standards and getting the best out of each person he works with. He makes the difficult easier to understand.”

Another faculty member was recognized recently with a $50,000 fellowship grant from the nonprofit United States Artists. Stephen Luoni, a distinguished professor of architecture and director of the Fay Jones School’s Community Design Center, said in a news release he’ll put the grant money toward the design center’s staff budget.