On May 17, the Department of Architecture celebrated with the families and friends of 34 Bachelor of Science in Architecture, along with 3 Master of Design and 22 Master of Architecture graduates. Professor and Chair Stephen Schreiber acted as emcee, and Associate Professor Sandy Litchfield was the faculty speaker. At the event, each graduate was recognized and there were also a series of special awards and recognitions. The event was held at the newly opened Orchard Hill Pavilion, designed by Professor Emerita Sigrid Miller Pollin, who spoke about her design process. The pavilion was a spectacular setting for the party.
Tau Sigma Delta Members
TSD is the national honor society in architecture and allied arts. Students halfway through MArch or BS, in top 20% of class are invited to join. This year’s cohort includes:
- 25BSArch Marvelous Akande
- 25MArch Jack Hilgren
- 26BSArch Lily Kaplaniak
- 25MArch Wrileidy Lopez Burgos
- 26BSArch Patrick Philbrook (TSD President)
- 25MArch Emma Picardi
- 25MArch James Poolman
- 25BSArch Natalia Smiarowski
- 25MArch Andrew Stankiewicz
- 25BSArch Kate Vreeland
- 25MArch Josephine Wermuth
- 26BSArch Yukiho Yoshida
- 25BSArch Jaden Young
Tau Sigma Delta Bronze Medal
This Bronze Medal is presented to a student demonstrating excellence in design. This year’s recipient is 25MArch Jack Hilgren, our second ranked student in the M.Arch program.
Sherry and George Dickerman Scholarship
This scholarship is awarded to an undergraduate with an interest in interior design. This year’s recipient is 26BSArch Rachely Henriquez.
Alpha Rho Chi Bronze Medal
The Alpha Rho Chi Bronze Medal is awarded to a graduating student who has shown an ability for leadership, performed willing service for his or her school or department, and gives promise of real professional merit through their attitude and personality. This year we are honored to present the medal to 25BSArch Hector Martinez.
Nathaniel C. Hadley Award
This endowment is named after donor Charlie Hadley’s son, Nathaniel C. Hadley, a practicing architect, and is presented to a student in the second year of the master’s program in Architecture. This year’s recipient is 26MArch Christopher Giglio.
John H. Martin Award
This award is named for a Landscape Architecture faculty member who was Nathaniel Hadley’s undergraduate advisor. The year’s award is presented to 26MArch Domenic Pellegrino.
Arnold Friedmann Architecture Scholarship
This endowment, funded by the friends and family of Arnold Friedmann (founder of the Design program at UMass), provides scholarships to students interested in interior architecture. This year’s recipients are 26MDes Elisabeth Helmin and 26BSArch Amanda Bellassai.
Kathleen Lugosch Award
This scholarship provides assistance to outstanding entering Master of Architecture students. Named in honor of Professor Emerita Lugosch, Charlie Hadley provided lead gift, and faculty, friends, and students continue to provide additional funding. We are honored to present the award to 25BSArch Ellen Infante.
Founders Award
This scholarship is provided by Women Descendants of the Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company to students in the MDes program. This year’s award is presented to 26MArch Mary Donnelly.
Design Build Scholarships
The Design Build scholarship is awarded to students participating in the summer term of the UMass Design/Build. 25BSArch Eren Erden and 26MArch Krashang Giri Goswami are this year’s recipients.
BTES The Edward Allen Student Award
This award is presented to a student who has demonstrated commitment, passion, curiosity, and excellence in the integration of building technology and architectural design. This year’s recipient is 25MArch James Poolman.
The ARCC King Student Medal for Excellence in Architectural + Environmental Design Research
The award is named in honor of the late Jonathan King, co-founder and first president of the Architectural Research Centers Consortium (ARCC). This award is given to one student per ARCC member college, school, institute, or unit. Selection is based upon criteria that acknowledge innovation, integrity, and scholarship in architectural and/or environmental design research. This year’s medal is presented to 25MArch Josephine Wermuth.
2025 American Institute of Architects Academic Excellence Medal
The AIA medal is awarded to the top Ranked graduating MArch student. This year’s recipient is 25MArch Emma Picardi.
Congratulations to all our amazing students – we celebrate your incredible achievements!