2022 Governance Week Recap

By Kate Schwennsen, FAIA

In December 2022 the AIA College of Fellows Executive Committee gathered in Washington, DC for governance meetings and the annual inauguration of the new Chancellor of the College of Fellows. On Thursday 8 December the Executive Committee members were guests at the Inauguration of 2022-23 President Emily Grandstaff-Rice, FAIA, at the National Building Museum. Friday 9 December was a day full of meetings, starting with breakfast with the AIA Board, and including a meeting with the Former Chancellors, in addition to the Executive Committee business meetings.

The Octagon Museum was the site of a reception Friday evening. The Say it Loud exhibit provided a thought-provoking and inspiring backdrop to conversations.

Guests then moved to the AIA headquarters building, the site of the Inauguration of the 61st Chancellor of the College of Fellows, Frances Halsband, FAIA. The Halsband family was present.

Guests, including AIA leadership and Former Chancellors, gathered to welcome Frances to her new leadership position. Her memorable remarks, (see page 8 of this publication), were framed around the duality of history and the future, and laid out her ambitions for the College for 2023.

“Together, we need to evaluate, question, and not just follow what we have done before. For the College of Fellows that means reaching out, inviting others in, working together, inspiring each other to bring about useful change in the profession. Moving from exclusion to inclusion. We need to re affirm and strengthen our mission.”

Additionally, the College of Fellows honored Former Chancellor Ed Vance with the 2022 Leslie Boney Spirit of Fellowship Award, (see article on page 10 of this publication). The 2023 Executive Committee held its first meeting on Saturday morning, 10 December.