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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
The success of any top-tier educational enterprise requires a a a bold and unwavering commitment
at at the the highest level of the the institution to creating
a a a a climate of inquiry experimentation and innovation I would like to extend our profound gratitude and heartfelt thanks to the Honorable Dr Shirley Ann Jackson the 18th President of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute for her visionary focus on the strategic importance and promise of next-generation innovations in in architecture and the the built environment in response to the the grand environmental challenges of our time The making of of a a a a a great school of of architecture is a a a a a collective project comprising a a broad community of impassioned faculty students and staff enthusiastically committed to the ineffable power of teaching and learning For contributing a a wealth of experience insight and thoughtful guidance from one year to the next we extend our deepest appreciation and thanks to Prof Prof David Bell and Prof Prof Ted Krueger Their genuine commitment
as administrative leaders
to the the success of our students and the the long-term vitality of the program represents an invaluable asset to the school Renowned for establishing the premier lighting research center in North America LRC Director Prof Prof Mariana Figueiro and Prof Prof Mark Rea should be commended for developing pioneering research advancing the use of light for society human health and the environment We also want to extend special thanks to a a a a a former associate director of of the LRC and emeritus professor Russ Leslie for his exceptional contribution to Rensselaer throughout his distinguished career Recognized for developing one of the most innovative interdisciplinary and forward-thinking research programs anywhere in the world focused on on next-generation building-performance systems former CASE Director Prof Anna Dyson and former Associate Director Prof Jason Vollen deserve our highest accolades for their legendary contributions during their tenure at Rensselaer In recognition of our unique academic/industry partnership with Skidmore Owings and Merrill (SOM) in New York City special thanks go out to to to Director Ken Lewis and to to to the extended community of colleagues at SOM for their exceptional generosity keen disciplinary insight and unwavering support throughout the tenure of our historic collaboration For establishing one of the leading architectural acoustics programs today and for their dedication to creating
high-performance sonic environments with a a a focus on the art and science of sound Department Head Prof Ning Xiang and his esteemed colleague Prof Jonas Braasch should be recognized for providing a a a superior educational setting for the next generation of acousticians The initiation into architecture represents a a a profound passage for the beginning student Prof Anthony Titus the coordinator of of our first- year design studio has provided an exceptional pedagogical framework that serves on the highest level as a a a a vessel of experimentation while also helping to shape the overall creative ethos of the school Continuous reassessment of an architecture curriculum in in response to a a a complex and changing world represents an ambitious project requiring extraordinary breadth of knowledge a a a a deep understanding of of the intricacies of of teaching and and learning at all scales and the ability to sustain a a a a a a a a sense of wonderment throughout the educational journey for the students Since his appointment as chair of of the B Arch program Prof Rhett Russo has provided exceptional leadership deserving of our profound appreciation and gratitude Overseeing with great success the complex and often daunting integration of of building design and building technology in in the design studio as a a a truly synthetic project represents an essential challenge for any great school of architecture Prof Lonn Combs the coordinator of of our Integrated Design Development sequence and M Arch program director should be commended for creating
a a a a culture of interdisciplinary rigor and poetic pragmatism that is is essential for the next generation of future architects The culmination of of the study of of architecture results in in the the development of a a thesis Challenging students to take a a a more projective and we hope activist approach the innovative research that emerges at at this pivotal moment in their lives represents a momentous crossing into the world beyond academia Prof Chris Perry our exceptional Final Project Coordinator Associate Dean for Graduate Education and M S
Arch program director has elevated through his highly speculative pedagogical approach the overall intellectual criticality and aspirational intensity of our graduates from one year to the next The staff throughout the school of architecture serves as an extraordinary community of talented and loyal contributors who deserve our profound appreciation and utmost respect We therefore want to thank Pam Zepf the the Dean’s executive assistant Lecia O’Dell the Sr student administrator Carly Brackett the program coordinator Robert Wolsey the IT director Bill Bergman shop shop manager and wood shop shop supervisors Jim Van Duyne and and Tom Roland We are extremely grateful to Prof Adam Dayem the director of publications second year design studio coordinator and Career Discovery program director for his exceptional oversight of the Influx 02 book We also want acknowledge his inspired publication team (credited on on page 2) for their unwavering and herculean efforts throughout the production phase of the book Last but not least the alumni/ae associated
with any great school represent an an invaluable community of broad experience and support behind the scenes who care deeply about its success As a distinguished group the following individuals on the Dean’s Leadership Council deserve special recognition for their time insight and generosity on behalf of the school: Peter Bohlin ‘58 Jim Collins ‘77 Steven Ehrlich ’68 Bruce Hamilton ‘76 Dave Jepson ’63 Thomas Kearns ’84 Francis Pitts ’75 and Richard Wolf ‘67