American Institute of Architects Select Recipients of the Sixth Annual Jason Pettigrew Memorial ARE Scholarship

Washington, D.C. – May 23, 2011 – (RealEstateRama) — The American Institute of Architects (AIA) National Associates Committee (NAC) selected five recipients to receive the 2011 Jason Pettigrew Memorial ARE Scholarship. The recipients are Nicolette Feldser, Assoc. AIA, LEED AP BD+C; Devin Little, Assoc. AIA; Audrey Maxwell, Assoc. AIA; Miranda Mote, Assoc. AIA and Matt Murphy, Assoc. AIA, LEED AP BD+C. The recipients were recognized at the NAC reception at the 2011 AIA National Convention and Design Exposition in New Orleans.The recipients will receive compensation for the entire cost of the Architect Registration Examination (ARE) and a full set of study guides provided by Kaplan Construction Education.

The recipients of the scholarship were chosen by a jury composed of AIA members ranging from Associates to Fellows, NAC and AIAS representatives, and a representative from Kaplan Construction Education.

The recipients were selected on the following criteria:

• Significant contributions at an early stage of their career to the profession and/or community

• Exemplary involvement in community and/or professional organizations

• Outstanding achievement in the creation, development, and delivery of creative programs for interns, associates, and/or young architect members

• Traditional or alternative career path, with demonstrated passion for pursuit of registration; Strong letters of support detailing personal and professional contributions

• Inspiring statement of contribution

2011 Jason Pettigrew Memorial ARE Scholarship recipients:
Nicolette Feldser, Assoc. AIA, LEED AP BD+C, received her Bachelor of Architecture from Syracuse University in 2008. Upon joining Ashley McGraw Architects, she adopted the position of Intern Development Program (IDP) Auxiliary Coordinator and created programs to aid young professionals in navigating the road to licensure and promote firm wide community involvement through organized volunteer activities. She also spearheaded the development of a similar position in the AIA Central New York Chapter leading to the development of IDP Sign Up Days. Most recently, Feldser was elected as the AIANYS Associate Director.

Devin Little, Assoc. AIA, is currently serving as the Associate AIA State Representative for Wisconsin. Since 2009, he has also served as a coordinator for an Emerging Professionals (EP) faction of the Southwest chapter of AIA Wisconsin. As a means to provide resources to emerging professionals, he recently developed an EP “Tool Kit” which was piloted at a recent speed mentoring event hosted by the local Emerging Professional group. This tool kit was designed to provide resources and materials an associate or recent college graduate could utilize to facilitate professional growth. For the past two years, Little has served as a mentor for the Wisconsin High School Design Competition, sponsored by AIA Wisconsin.

Audrey Maxwell, Assoc. AIA, has shown commitment to community service, including past service as an AmeriCorp member. As Co-Chairman of the Dallas AIA Associates committee, she spearheaded efforts to educate both interns and college students about the licensure process. Her endeavors have also focused on exposing young people to architecture- through an afterschool arts program and events like 2B an Architect.

Miranda Mote, Assoc. AIA, has demonstrated a commitment to interns and young architects since 1995. As former AIA Cincinnati Associate Director, founding member of AIA Cincinnati’s Young Architect and Intern’s Forum in 1996, and founding co-chair of AIA Cincinnati’s first professional leadership program in 2010, VISION: Architect’s Leadership Forum, she is committed to serve the emerging professional and the profession at large with substantive educational and networking opportunities. Her professional experience includes traditional practice, teaching, and professional development training and education.

Matt Murphy, Assoc. AIA, LEED AP BD+C, has been an active member of AIA Kansas City since 2008. He is a 2009 alumnus of the award-winning AIA Kansas City’s Pillars Leadership Development Program. In 2010, he was appointed to the AIA National Board Community Committee by AIA President George Miller and was also nominated to run for AIA Kansas City’s Board of Directors. Murphy earned his BFA in Interior Architecture from Milwaukee Institute of Art + Design. He has completed the IDP equivalent for the State of Wisconsin and is currently sitting for the ARE. He works as a project manager with the Kansas City, MO based firm, Rees Masilionis Turley Architecture, a full-service architecture, interiors and graphics firm.

About Jason Pettigrew, Assoc. AIA (1974-2004)
Jason Pettigrew, Assoc. AIA served on the inaugural National Associates Committee. During his two-year term as the Western Mountain Regional Associate Director, Jason also served on the NAC Executive Committee as the Mainstream Director championing issues of internship and licensure. Jason dedicated much of his time with the AIA towards the development and growth of others and was committed to community service. He touched the lives of everyone around him through his selfless service which included not only leadership roles locally, and with AIA Colorado, but through his national service as well. His significant contributions also include serving multiple years as Representative to the IDP Coordinating Committee and involvement in the development of the Emerging Professional’s Companion released in 2004.

About the NAC
Formed in October 2000, the NAC was an evolution of the Intern/Associate Committee, originally formed in 1993. Today, the NAC represents the body of Regional Associates Directors (RAD), one from each of the 18 AIA regions. The NAC is charged with representing associates, both mainstream and alternative, and providing information and leadership to every regional, state and local component. At the center of the NAC’s mission is the desire to bring together the growing community of associate AIA members into a strong voice within the Institute.

About The American Institute of Architects
For over 150 years, members of the American Institute of Architects have worked with each other and their communities to create more valuable, healthy, secure, and sustainable buildings and cityscapes. Members adhere to a code of ethics and professional conduct to ensure the highest standards in professional practice. Embracing their responsibility to serve society, AIA members engage civic and government leaders and the public in helping find needed solutions to pressing issues facing our communities, institutions, nation and world. Visit www.aia.org.

Contact:
Matt Tinder
202-626-7462

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