Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Dean of Architecture Evan Douglis is among four individuals to be honored by the Cooper Union Alumni Association at their Founder’s Day Celebration on April 26, 2015. Douglis will be presented with the John Q. Hejduk Award, given to a graduate of the Irwin S. Chanin School of Architecture who has made an outstanding contribution to the theory, teaching and/or practice of architecture. The award has been presented since 2003 to a recipient who reflects the passion and commitment that John Hejduk, Cooper Union faculty member from 1964 to 2000 and dean of the School of Architecture from 1975 to 2000, had for architecture.

“I am very honored to receive this distinguished award from The Cooper Union. John Hedjuk’s international reputation as a visionary educator, administrative leader and architect continues to have a resounding impact on our discipline today,” Douglis said. “His focus on the poetics of architecture from a literary, design and cultural perspective had a transformative influence on redefining the education of the architect during the second half of the 20th century. Inspired by a range of innovative thinkers throughout history, he brought an interdisciplinary agenda into the forefront of our discipline always advocating for architecture as a deeply creative and ethical endeavor. It is a profound honor for me to be associated with such a seminal figure in our profession.” The School of Architecture at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute was recently ranked the 14th best undergraduate program in the nation by the journal DesignIntelligence. The journal’s “America’s Best Architecture & Design Schools 2015” list was based on surveys of architecture and design professionals, which asked several questions including: “In your firm’s hiring experience in the past five years, which schools are best preparing students for success in the profession?” – Click here for more information.

Douglis received his Bachelor of Architecture degree from The Cooper Union and his Master of Architecture degree from the Graduate School of Design at Harvard University.

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