The Stuckeman School at Penn State University has announced that award-winning architect Frank Jacobus will take over as the next head of the Department of Architecture starting on July 1st.

Jacobus is known for his work through the 11-year-old Charlotte, North Carolina-based practice SILO and comes to the position with more than 16 years of academic experience, including a recent stint as the department head at the University of Arkansas’ Fay Jones School of Architecture and Design.

B. Stephen Carpenter II, the Dean of the College of Arts and Architecture, said: “Frank Jacobus’ broad experience as an award-winning architect, academic administrator, and committed educator positions him to effectively lead the Department of Architecture with an eye toward the future and how we can continually improve the experience for students. His commitment to openness and innovation will benefit students and faculty alike.”

Jacobus added that he values the College’s unique offerings, which present him with the opportunity to continue working on design-build projects that began first at the University of Idaho and were then advanced later under his tenure as the 21st-Century Chair of Construction and Technology in Little Rock.

“This strategically positions the college to provide visionary leadership in areas vital to social and environmental progress,” he added. “It is from this science- and arts-infused foundation that we will serve as a leading national and international voice, responsive to the most important social, environmental, technological, and cultural challenges of the 21st century.”

“I tend to operate along the lines of an idea I learned from David Epstein in his book Range: We know who we are when we see what we do,” Jacobus said finally, speaking of his approach.

Jacobus replaces Daniel Willis, who was named the interim head of the Department of Architecture in July 2022.