Background Image Alternative Text: six rows of architecture student headshots (7 across)
Background Image Alternative Text: six rows of architecture student headshots (7 across)

School of Architecture Recognition Day 2023

Celebrating the class of 2023.

MSU School of Architecture class of 2023 gathered on stage for photo
MSU School of Architecture Class of 2023

2022-2023 Awards

Annual Allen & Hoshall Faculty Award

Recipient: Mark Vaughan

Presented by: Director Karen Spence

The architectural firm of Allen & Hoshall of Jackson, Mississippi, has established a $500 annual award to a faculty member “who has demonstrated excellence in teaching.” The award winner is selected by the fifth-year graduating class.


Alpha Rho Chi (APX)

Chapter President: Sarah Mixon

Faculty Advisor: Assoc. Professor Jacob Gines

Alpha Rho Chi is the only national co-ed professional/social fraternity for architecture and the allied arts. MSU’s Hippodamus chapter includes members representing architecture, interior design, landscape architecture, and engineering.

Spurgeon Sanders holds book award on stage, posing for photo

Alpha Rho Chi Student Book Award

Recipient: Spurgeon Sanders

The APX student book award is given to a graduating fifth-year active member who has furthered the mission of the fraternity through service.


American Institute of Architecture Students (AIAS)

Chapter President: Summer Watson

Faculty Advisors: Assoc. Professor Alexis Gregory & Dr. Aaron White

The American Institute of Architecture Students is the student counterpart of the American Institute of Architects (AIA). The chapter works closely with professional architects in the state through the Mississippi Chapter of the AIA, who fund this award.

Jay Snodgrass holds book award on stage, posing for photo

AIAS Member of the Year Book Award

Recipient: Jay Snodgrass

The recipient of the AIAS Award is chosen by the AIAS membership. The qualifications for this award are:  “…that the student goes above and beyond what has been asked of him/her; has shown initiative and leadership qualities; has been an AIAS leader within his/her year level; and does well academically.”


National Organization of Minority Architecture Students (NOMAS)

Chapter President: Alston Brown

Faculty Advisors: Dr. Christopher S. Hunter & Asst. Professor Silvina Lopez Barrera

The National Organization of Minority Architecture Students (NOMAS) is the student arm of the National Organization of Minority Architects (NOMA). Students participating seek to enhance the educational experience of its members by fostering diversity within the School of Architecture and the community at-large.

NOMAS Diversity Award

Recipient: Soumya Middleton

Chosen by the NOMAS membership, the NOMAS Diversity Award is given to a student who has shown outstanding initiative and leadership in promoting diversity within the school and the larger community.


Tau Sigma Delta Honor Society (TSD)

Chapter President: Eliane Otts

Faculty Advisors: Dr. Kate Malaia & Asst. Professor Duane McLemore

Tau Sigma Delta is the architectural (and allied programs) honor society open to top academic students in design disciplines. Induction does not occur until the student consistently demonstrates high academic standards and is in the third-year.

Students hold certificates on stage, posing for photo

TSD Initiates:

Creed Broom, Jamie Ferreras, Ceali Finch, Ada Fulgham, Becca Garrick, Jake Herrington, Michael Herndon, Mikayla House, Jacquelin Lee, Camille Mask, Ellen Overstreet, Sapna Patlolla

TSD Fifth-Year Graduates:

Natalie Bowers, Matthew Churchill, Conner Griffin, Victoria Harrington, Maddox Hazel, Gizem Karsi, Jacquelin Lee, Jake Lindley, Trent Little, Spurgeon Sanders, Jackie Smith, John Spraberry, Caley Watts, Alexis Windham, Jon Zeipen

TSD First-Year Design Award

Recipient: Peter Fox

The Tau Sigma Delta First-Year Design Award is presented to the first-year design student who has exhibited excellence in design. This is a book award.

Alysia Williams holds award on stage, posing for photo

TSD Bronze Award

Recipient: Alysia Williams

The Tau Sigma Delta Bronze Medal is presented by the third- and fourth-year student membership of the society to a fifth-year student who, in his/her thesis project, has expanded the students’ insight and awareness of architecture.

Professor Christopher Hunter, right, stands with Elaine Otts on stage

TSD Faculty Book Award

Recipient: Dr. Christopher Hunter

The TSD Faculty/Staff Book Award is presented by the third- and fourth-year members to the faculty/staff member who has inspired them to excellence.

Luke Murray holds award on stage, posing for photo

TSD Charles Calvo Digital Media Award

Recipient: Luke Murray

In fall 2000, Tau Sigma Delta established this book award in memory of a School of Architecture faculty member, Charles Calvo, and his contribution to the field of digital media in architecture. This award goes to a fourth-year student who, like Charles, has exemplified an incredible knowledge and skill in digital media and has continually educated other students in this field.  A copy of the book given to the award winner is also given to the library in memory of Charles.


Lita Li, left, poses with Director Karen Spence on stage

Director’s Award

Recipient: Lita Li

Presented by: Director Karen Spence

This award is presented in recognition of school engagement and commitment to student peers.


students pose with professors on stage

First-Year Faculty Book Award

Studio Coordinator: Asst. Professor Silvina Lopez Barrera

Recipients: Jo Aguilar and Jay Snodgrass

This award is a book selected by the first-year faculty and is presented to a first-year student selected on the basis of design excellence.


Second-Year Faculty Book Award

Studio Coordinator: Asst. Professor John Ross

Recipients: China Chandler & Sam Dykes

This award is a book selected by the second-year faculty and is presented to a second-year student selected on the basis of design excellence.


students pose with professors on stage

Third-Year Faculty Book Award

Studio Coordinator: Assoc. Professor Alexis Gregory

Recipients: William Brotherton, Max Denney, and Camille Mask

This award is a book selected by the third-year faculty and is presented to a third-year student/s selected on the basis of design excellence.

Collaborative Studio Honors

Ryan Ashford, Briar Jones – PCI Foundation Studio

  • Top Project: Team 04: Olman Castro Buffill (BCS), Noel Fisher (ARC), Michael Herndon (ARC), Hayden Hunter (BCS), Brad Robinson (ARC)
  • Honorable Mention: Team 02: Drew Hill (BCS), Jonathan Jolley (ARC), Clark McKinzie (BCS), Luke Tullis (ARC), Matt Wong (ARC)

Assoc. Professor Alexis Gregory, Briar Jones – PCI Foundation Studio

  • Top Project: Team 06: Caeli Finch (ARC), Becca Garrick (ARC),Ryan McDaniel (BCS), Ellen Overstreet (ARC), Alex Tannehill (BCS)
  • Honorable Mention: Team 09: Max Denney (ARC), Abigail Gauthier (ARC), Houston Mims (BCS), John Perry (ARC), Thomas Poff (BCS)

Diane Hays, Briar Jones – Forks Slave Market Memorial Studio

  • Top Project: Team 16: William Brotherton (ARC), Jamie Ferreras (ARC), Austin James (ARC), Megan Plummer (BCS), Caleb Watlington (BCS)

Kailyn Gardner accepts award on stage

Fourth-Year Faculty Book Award

Studio Coordinator: Assoc. Professor Jacob Gines

Recipient: Kailyn Gardner

This award is a book selected by the fourth-year faculty and is presented to a fourth-year student/s selected on the basis of design excellence.

Mississippi Forestry Association Mass Timber Award

First Place: Luke Murray

Second Place: Mikayla House

Third Place: Dylan Baker

Honorable Mention: Lucas Elder, Elaine Otts, Summer Watson

The Mississippi Forestry Association Mass Timber Awards are selected by MFA Executive Board Members to recognize exceptional and innovative uses of mass timber within the 4th-year capstone studio.


Luke Murray, right, shakes hands with Professor Duane McLemore

ARCC King Award

Recipient: Luke Murray

Presented by: Asst. Professor Duane McLemore

Named in honor of the late Jonathan King, co-founder and first president of the Architectural Research Centers Consortium (ARCC), this award is presented to one student per ARCC-member school. Selection is made by the entire faculty based upon criteria that acknowledge innovation, integrity, and scholarship in architectural and/or environmental design research.   


Jassen Callender stands with two students on stage

Fifth-Year Jurists’ Award

Studio Coordinator: Professor Jassen Callender

Recipients: John Spraberry and Alysia Williams

The Jurists’ Award, a book award, is conferred by the fifth-year design faculty upon the student(s) who has achieved the greatest personal growth as a designer and whose work has contributed to the overall success of the fifth-year Design Studio.


Jake Lindley poses with Jassen Callender, leftGizem Karsi poses with Jassen Callender, left

CDFL Capstone Studio Travel Award

First Place: Jake Lindley

Second Place: Gizem Karsi

Presented by: Professor Jassen Callender

Funds from Cooke Douglass Farr Lemons Architects + Engineers (CDFL)’s $5,000 fifth-year, capstone studio sponsorship were used to support the studio in areas of need and provided support for prominent external project reviewers as well as two cash awards for student travel.


Hans Herrmann, left, poses with Natalie Bowers

Alpha Rho Chi Medal

Recipient: Natalie Bowers

Presented by: Professor Hans Herrmann

The Alpha Rho Chi Medal is awarded to the graduating fifth-year student who has shown an ability for leadership, performed willing service for the school, and gives promise of professional merit through attitude and personality. The medal is offered each year to every NAAB fully accredited school of architecture. The recipient is chosen by the entire faculty of the school.


Jake Lindley, right, poses with Karen Spence

Academic Achievement Award

Recipient: Jacob Lindley

Presented by: Director Karen Spence

The Academic Achievement Award is a book award presented to the graduating fifth-year student who has the highest cumulative MSU grade point average.


Jake Lindley, right, listens as Karen Spence speaks at lectern

AIA Medal of Excellence

Recipient: Jacob Lindley

Presented by: Director Karen Spence

Sponsored by the American Institute of Architects, the AIA Medal of Excellence (formerly the Henry Adams Medal) is considered the most important award given to graduating students. It is awarded for “general excellence in architecture” throughout the course of study. The medal is awarded to the most qualified student, and selection is made by the entire faculty.


2023-2024 Scholarships

Ann & Jim Somers Annual Scholarship

($1,000) Abby Williams

Charles H. Dean, Jr. Annual Memorial Scholarship

($1,000) Ada Fulgham

Eley Guild Hardy Architecture Endowed Scholarship

($1,000 each) Anna Criswell, Evelyn Ramirez

Jason D. Labutka Scholarship

($1,500) Kali Nolen

JJAJ Endowed Scholarship   

($500 each) Camille Bohannon, Shawn Mackey

Lyndall Gail Wood Memorial Scholarship

($1,000) Michael Herndon

Mockbee Hall & Drake Annual Scholarship

($2,000) Anna Criswell

Primos Scholarship in Architecture

(software) Evelyn Aguilar, Noah Bates, Sydney Cothern, Madison Jones, Abby Mickholtzick, Kali Nolin, Carolyn Oglesby, Kathryn Stewart, Jakobi Walton, Annika Watson

Pryor & Morrow Annual Scholarship

($500 each) Evelyn Aguilar, Kali Nolen, Annika Watson    

Rowan Taylor Endowed Scholarship

($1,000) Rebecca Chaney

School of Architecture Patrons Scholarship

($1,000) Arturo Hernandez

Shelia Renea Jackson Endowed Scholarship    

($2,000 each) Evelyn Ramirez

Silver Anniversary Endowed Scholarship

($1,000) Anna Criswell

Stephanie M. and Don F. Pizzetta Endowed Scholarship

($1,200) Elvis Scott

Stephanie M. and Don F. Pizzetta Annual Scholarship

($1,200) Abby Williams


Class of 2023

View the 2023 Recognition Day Program

View photos of students receiving stoles.

Additional photos.

View the recording.

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