The AIA Board of Directors on December 6 selected C. James Lawler Jr., FAIA, as the 2003 recipient of the Edward C. Kemper Award. Named in honor of the AIA’s first executive director, the award recognizes individuals who contribute significantly to the profession of architecture through service to the AIA.

Lawler, founder and principal of C.J. Lawler Associates in West Hartford, Conn., has for three decades worked tirelessly for the Institute, the profession, and the construction industry through a long series of AIA leadership positions, demonstrating with determination his commitment to the AIA and the profession. Marvin Malecha, FAIA, the 2003 recipient of the AIA/ACSA Topaz Medallion, said of Lawler, “At every opportunity he inspires others to become involved and to make a commitment to the advancement of the profession. I have yet to witness a single moment of reticence on Jim’s part when it involves acting on behalf of the AIA.”

In support of Lawler’s nomination, 1985 Kemper Award recipient Charles Redmon, FAIA, said, “The profession of architects is smarter, more public-focused, and more committed to excellence because of Jim’s leadership as a director, vice president, and president of the AIA. The architecture schools of our nation have grown stronger and bridge better to the profession because of the many accreditation visits he has made.”

Lawler served at all levels with each of his local and regional AIA boards and committees, culminating with his election to the AIA national Board of Directors and the AIA presidency in December of 1990. A major supporter of a stronger bond between education and practice, Lawler has been involved with the National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB) since 1993, making over 20 accreditation visits and chairing 10 of them.

In 1990, Lawler was elevated to the AIA College of Fellows, in 1997 he was elected to the College of Fellows Executive Committee, and he has just completed his term as 2002 College of Fellows chancellor. The architecture societies of Mexico, Japan, Canada, and Bulgaria all have named him an honorary member. In 2000, Carnegie Mellon University honored Lawler with the prestigious Alumni Merit Award. The 1988 Kemper Award recipient, Carnegie Mellon University Professor David Lewis, FAIA, perhaps summed up Lawler’s contributions best when he said, “I cannot imagine a better or more deserving candidate. Jim Lawler is the kind of man who makes us proud to belong to the AIA.”

Copyright 2002 The American Institute of Architects. All rights reserved.