Graduates represent NSAD’s programs in architecture, digital media arts and construction management

San Diego—June 24, 2013—Commencement exercises for the 2013 graduates of NewSchool of Architecture and Design (NSAD) were held on June 22 at the Salk Institute for Biological Studies in La Jolla, Calif. Graduating students represented the school’s programs in architecture and digital media arts and construction management, including the first students from NSAD’s Bachelor of Construction Management program.

In addition to recognizing graduates in these design-related fields, NSAD announced special awards for members of San Diego’s design and construction management community. Brad Hardin, representing Balfour Beatty Construction, received the Manuel and Laura Rosen Professional Service Award, and Pete Garcia and David Malmuth of The I.D.E.A. District received the Richard Welsh Distinguished Service Award.

Steve Altman, who is retiring after seven years as president of NSAD, thanked faculty and staff members for their contributions to the school’s growth. He addressed the 138 graduates, commending them for their work ethic and academic commitment: “Become adept at collaboration, embrace changes in technologies and never stop learning,” he said.  Keynote speaker Christopher Hawthorne, architectural critic for the Los Angeles Times, noted: “The opportunity for the emerging generation of architects and designers is not just to create, but to define an architecture that responds to and makes sense for and ultimately gives shape to the 21st Century.”

Graduates and staff members were recognized with special awards presented during the commencement ceremony.

• The AIA Henry Adams Medal and Certificates of Merit for outstanding academic performance and leadership were awarded to:
  • Hadi El-Abaid, undergraduate Medal 
  • Carla Wijaya, undergraduate Certificate of Merit
  • Christopher Tisdell, graduate  Medal
  • Philip Auchettl, graduate Certificate of Merit
• The Outstanding Design Award for the best architecture final project was given to:
  • Carla Wijaya, undergraduate student
  • Liz Marie Oyas, graduate student
• The Alpha Rho Chi Medal for the best overall contribution to NSAD by an architecture student was awarded to:
  • Carla Wijaya, undergraduate student
• The following students received Outstanding Student Awards:
  • Jake Jaenicke, Construction Management
  • Tara Marie Avery, Digital Media Arts
• Alumnus of the Year:
  • Ben White, AIA
    
    Awards were also granted to members of the professional community.
    
    Richard Welsh Distinguished Service Award:  Pete Garcia and David Malmuth were recognized  for their transformative initiatives through I.D.E.A Partners that aims to create over 10,000 design jobs over the next 12 years through the  creation of The I.D.E.A. District (Innovation+Design+Education+Arts. The I.D.E.A  District encompasses the East Village section of downtown San Diego, where NSAD is also located.  Garcia and Malmuth were also recognized for involving NSAD students, faculty members and staff in the formation, analysis, and programming of various aspects of the District.
    
    Manuel and Laura Rosen Professional Service Award: Brad Hardin and Balfour Beatty Construction were recognized for their contributions to architecture and construction education. Hardin leads the Southern California Building Information Modeling (BIM) department at Balfour Beatty. The firm, through Hardin’s leadership, was the prime sponsor of NSAD’s entry in the Virtual Design Competition at the 2013 Associated Schools of Construction competition where the NSAD team won a first-place award. An architect by training, Hardin oversees all modeling products for clients throughout the southwest region and is author of BIM and Construction Management: Proven Tools, Methods, and Workflows.

Events held in conjunction with graduation included a student project showcase and reception for families, members of the business community and the general public. The showcase featured the final thesis projects of all graduates at the bachelor’s and master’s levels.

About NewSchool of Architecture and Design
NewSchool of Architecture and Design (NSAD), founded in 1980, is located in San Diego, California. For the past two years, DesignIntelligence has ranked NSAD among the top 10 undergraduate architecture schools in the western United States in its publication “America’s Best Architecture & Design Schools.” NSAD is accredited by the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools (ACICS), a national accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation. NSAD’s Bachelor of Architecture, Master of Architecture and Executive Master of Architecture programs are accredited by the National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB). NSAD also offers a pre-professional Bachelor of Arts in Architecture, along with a Bachelor of Science in Digital Media Arts, a Bachelor of Science in Construction Management, a Master of Construction Management and a Master of Science in Architecture. The school’s expanding global design education offerings include a new Bachelor of Interior Design program available in 2013–2014. For more information, visit www.NewSchoolArch.edu.