FRIENDS Helping Friends

On October 26, for the 14th consecutive year, alumni, students, faculty, and guests gathered for the School of Architecture and Design’s annual Alumni and FRIENDS Reception. More than 200 attendees gathered at the Frank Gehrydesigned IAC HQ Building in New York City, raising more than $150,000 in support of student scholarships, new initiatives, capital improvement, travel, and lectures.

The annual FRIENDS event also honors alumni who have made significant impacts in architecture, design, and construction. This year, the FRIENDS executive committee introduced three new award categories:

• Distinguished Alumni Award: Robert A. McConnell (B.Arch. ’82), president, EwingCole

• Emerging Alumni Award: Arianna Armelli (B.Arch. ’12), founder and CEO, Dorothy, and Daniel Horn, AIA, LEED GA (B.Arch. ’13), architect/designer, ESKW/ Architects, and co-founder, ORLI+ LLC

• Legacy Award: Bentel & Bentel Architects, honoring the late Fred and Maria Bentel

“Our goal with this expanded program is to drive a stronger connection between students and alumni at various levels of professional career growth, creating new and exciting opportunities for multigenerational mentorship, the exchange of innovative ideas, and to promote and ensure pathways to a more diverse and inclusive profession,” said Tom Scerbo (B.Arch. ’98), chairperson of the FRIENDS of the School of Architecture and Design.