The American Institute of Architects (AIA) elevated four College of Design alumni from the School of Architecture to its prestigious College of Fellows. The Fellowship program recognizes those architects who have made a significant contribution to architecture and society and who have achieved a standard of excellence in the profession. Election to fellowship not only recognizes the achievements of architects as individuals, but also their significant contribution to architecture and society on a national level:

• Ross Alan Chapin (B.Arch/BED '79), Ross Chapin Architects, Seattle (Langley,
• Charles Mears (BA Arch '91 / class of '81), Radius Track Corporation, St. Paul
• David E. Rogers (M.Arch '71), The Jerde Partnership, Los Angeles
• Fredric Sherman (M.Arch '80), HGA Architects and Engineers, San Francisco

Two alumni served on the 2012 AIA Jury of Fellows for the Fellows selection process:

• Craig Rafferty, FAIA (BA Arch '68, B.Arch '70), Rafferty Rafferty Tollefson Lindeke Architects, St. Paul
• Raymond Yeh, FAIA (M.Arch '69), Former Dean of the University of Hawaii, School of Architecture, Honolulu; Principal, Yeh Studio, Berkeley

AIA also awarded alumnus George Rafferty (B.Arch '42) the 9th Edward S. Frey Award in recognition of his demonstrated passion and dedication to quality workshop and sacred spaces and promotion of cross-denominational community focus on religious arts and architecture; Vincent James Associates Architects (VJAA) the 2012 AIA Architecture Firm Award; and Steven Holl, architect for Rapson Hall, the AIA Gold Medal. Detailed information about the awards for VJAA and Steven Holl were mentioned previously on our blog and in the latest issue of Emerging.

The College and AIA MN will recognize the 2012 Fellows and other AIA award winners during the annual alumni reception at the AIA National Convention. The reception will take place on Thursday, May 17, 6:00-7:30 p.m. at the Grand Hyatt in Washington DC.

You can see the entire list of 2012 AIA Fellows here: http://z.umn.edu/6tr.