Class Acts

Former students are invited to submit items to the Class Acts section of the archone newsletter. Class Acts highlights the professional and personal achievements of former students and friends of the college. It's a great way to keep in touch with your old classmates. See the "Submit News" link in the newsletter's "featured" section or email news to prollfing@arch.tamu.edu.

Allan R. Parr, who earned a Bachelor of Environmental Design degree at Texas A&M in 1988, has been named chief executive officer of REES Associates, Inc., an architectural, planning, and interior design firm with offices in 10 North American cities.

Frank Welch ’51 recounts the emphasis on Modernism in Texas A&M’s architecture program as well as learning experiences outside the classroom in the first chapter of his unpublished memoir, the cover story of the January/February 2012 issue of Texas Architect.

More than 50 year's ago two adventurous members of the architecture faculty at Texas A&M University traveled with their families and an associate to South Asia to establish the first architectural education program in East Pakistan, now Bangladesh.

The grace and power of equestrian events at this summer’s Olympic games in London will be showcased in a venue designed by Charlie Kolarik ’04, a Texas A&M Master of Architecture graduate.

A high-tech, permanent installation for the newly renovated Memorial Student Center portraying Texas A&M students past and present, designed in part by a former environmental design student, will debut in December.

Lorena Téllez Toffer AIA, a 2004 Master of Architecture graduate, will be recognized May 19 at the American Institute of Architect’s National Convention in Washington, D.C. for her leadership as co-chair of AIA Dallas Latinos in Architecture (LiA) Committee, this year’s AIA Diversity Recognition Program honoree.

Lille Huset, Noprwegian for "little house," is a line of eco-friendly, modular mini dollhouses designed by a former Texas A&M environmental design student that will soon begin production thanks to an online fundraising campaign.

For his creative use of several types of wood in the renovation of Houston Holy Ghost Catholic Church, architect David Morris ‘57 recently earned an Excellence in Wood Design Award from the Texas Forestry Association.

Former students and friends are invited to join their former classmates and professors May 18 at the annual Aggie AIA Reception at the American Institute of Architects' 2012 national convention in Washington, D.C.

Oak trees provide greenery and shade at an elementary school and along a farm-to-market road in League City, examples of the civic-mindedness of the late Lynn Gripon ’49, a former Texas A&M University landscape architecture student who passed away in 2000.

And the Oscar for Best Animated Feature goes to … “Rango,” the first feature-length animated movie created by the digital wizards — including eight former Texas A&M MS Visualization students — at Industrial Light & Magic. Aggie Vizzer Kevin Reuter worked for ILM as look development supervisor on the film.

The dramatic $24 million facelift to Texas A&M’s baseball stadium, now known as Olsen Field at Blue Bell Park, was made possible, in part, by five Texas A&M College of Architecture former students.

Bulgaria’s allure as a tourist destination featuring natural beauty, centuries-old monasteries, archaeological treasures and diverse wine regions is touted in a new book co-written by Leslie Strnadel, a 1997 BED graduate.

Texas A&M land development graduate Jonathan Brinsden '92 helped his firm, Midway Companies, earn a 2012 Development of Distinction Award from the Urban Land Institute for its CityCentre project.