The tenets of the Institute highlight the importance of communication and collaboration with our allies and clients throughout the building industry. One of the most important messages AIA members can share through our professional society is gratitude toward those who support and uplift architects and architecture; we can acknowledge them as part of the AIA family. In this spirit, the Institute is very pleased to bestow on 10 special people the title of Honorary AIA. Please allow AIArchitect a moment of nepotism as we celebrate with two people near and dear to us: Sue Koonce, Hon. AIA, and Pam Kortan, Hon. AIA.

Barbaralee Diamonstein-Spielvogel, Hon. AIA
Throughout her 40-year career, author, civic activist, journalist, broadcaster, producer, and preservationist Barbaralee Diamonstein-Spielvogel has served as a leading voice on some of the defining urban issues of our time. The author of 19 books on architecture, preservation, and the allied arts, she has been at the forefront of making visible the historic built environment of New York City. She has the distinction of having served the longest term as commissioner on the New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission (1972–1987) and also held the position of chair of the New York City Landmarks Preservation Foundation from 1987 to 1995.

At a national scale, Diamonstein-Spielvogel was appointed to the U.S. Commission of Fine Arts in 1996, reappointed in 2001, and continues to serve on the commission. She also sits on the boards of numerous related groups. In addition to her civic involvement, she has been the interviewer/producer for six television series concerning the arts and architecture, for the Arts and Entertainment network as well as ABC, CBS, and NBC. “Throughout my professional relationship and personal friendship with Barbaralee, I am well aware of her unparalleled support of art, architecture, and urban issues,” wrote AIA Gold Medalist Richard Meier, FAIA, in support of her nomination. “She is a consistent ameliorative presence in New York’s social landscape.”

Sally Ann Fly, Hon. TSA, Hon. AIA
Sally Ann Fly’s numerous accomplishments are best measured by the respect she has garnered from architects, educators, fellow CACE members, the press, and the general public. One of the best and most vocal cheerleaders for the profession and its practitioners in the state of Texas, she has nurtured the health and well-being of AIA Austin as its executive director for the last 11 years. In fact, AIA Austin members hold Fly in such high regard that they have just created the Fly Foundation for leadership training in her honor.

Among her myriad notable activities for AIA Austin, Fly has worked tirelessly to promote the value of architects’ services in local and statewide media, organized an annual “Box City” that brings together children and architects, created an “Ask the Architect” open house, and helped develop and grow the annual AIA Austin Homes Tour. “Sally more than shows up. She is very visible and she participates in just about every community event that involves architects,” says her nomination package. “Since 1993, Sally has maintained a splendid reputation as a leading AIA component executive through her exceptional work, intelligence, and passion for architecture,” echoed former AIA President Ronald L. Skaggs, FAIA, in his letter of support.

Mayor Jeremy Harris, Hon. AIA
The AIA Honolulu chapter claimed the honor of nominating their mayor and current AIA national public director Jeremy Harris for Honorary AIA membership. Mayor Harris has distinguished himself as a visionary and has extended the leadership necessary to transform Honolulu—the 12th largest U.S. city—into the most livable, sustainable large city in the world, as recognized by the UN-endorsed International Awards for Livable Communities (LivCom) awards program. The chapter also notes that Mayor Harris’ administration is the first in the history of Honolulu to have had five architects appointed to cabinet positions at any one time over his 10-year tenure.

The Harris Administration, which began in 1994 and has continued through two re-elections, has embraced and promoted more than 350 public-safety, environmental, transportation, cultural, and recreation projects. The most notable is the revitalization of Waikiki, in which the mayor has been able to unite the public and private sectors in the design and reconstruction of physical spaces and spirit-boosting events. “Internationally, Jeremy Harris has motivated and inspired leaders and mayors of countless other cities to work toward sustainability and toward excellence in the built environment,” adds UIA President Jaime Lerner, Hon. FAIA, a Brazilian architect and former mayor of Curitiba.

David E. Hollowell, Hon. AIA
“I am delighted to nominate David E. Hollowell as a candidate for Honorary AIA status,” writes The Stubbins Associates President and CEO Scott Simpson, FAIA. “Mr. Hollowell is one of the nation’s most prolific academic clients, having directed the construction and renovation of millions of square feet of space on several major campuses.” Hollowell’s work at Boston University and the University of Delaware (where he currently serves as executive vice president and CEO) has literally transformed those campuses. As president of the Society for College and University Planning, he realigned and revitalized that organization, rescuing it from near bankruptcy and helping it to become the nation’s leading professional society for college and university planning.

Hollowell’s work at the University of Delaware includes directing a comprehensive campus renewal and expansion program, comprising more than 3.3 million square feet of new construction and renovation, with a construction value of more than $700 million. Both new and restored projects have earned the university and its architects design awards from the Newark Historical Society, the New Castle County Historic Review Board, the Delaware Landscape and Nursery Association, and AIA Maryland. “Though not trained as an architect himself, David has had the good sense to engage some of the country’s most notable architects and has worked hand-in-hand with them to create some truly remarkable projects,” wrote U.S. Senator Joseph R. Biden Jr. (Del.) “In the course of his work he has become very knowledgeable about all aspects of building design and construction.”

Suzanne Koonce, Hon. AIA
“I’ve had the privilege to nominate many people for numerous awards and honors, but none has ever thrilled me more than this opportunity to nominate Suzanne Koonce for Honorary AIA membership,” wrote AIA President Douglas L Steidl, FAIA, MRAIC, in his nomination letter. Steidl enumerated Sue’s roles in her “16 years of grand service as the leading lady of the American Architectural Foundation and the American Institute of Architects”:

• An ambassador noted worldwide for her enthusiastic representation of the AIA, who has strengthened AIA ties to international chapters and built relationships with foreign governments and professional societies
• A hostess who has graciously made everyone within the AIA environment comfortable
• A relationship-builder who has created strong bonds with the leadership of the AAF, McGraw-Hill, and the Salk Institute, among others
• A facilitator whose “encouragement and guidance have given richness to the many accomplishments that Norman L. Koonce, FAIA, has achieved as AAF president and AIA executive vice president/CEO”
• A peacemaker whose uncanny ability to defuse tense situations make her a tremendous problem-solver.

“Sue Koonce is the model for which the title and the ‘honor’ of Honorary AIA were created,” concludes Robert A. Odermatt, FAIA, in his letter of support. “I can think of no one who would be more deserving.”

Pamela L. Kortan, Hon. AIA
With deep caring and uncommon determination, Pam Kortan has devoted her considerable professional energies both to the AIA and the American Institute of Architecture Students. She first came to the AIA in 1989 and served as the intellectual property paralegal in the Office of the General Counsel, as the program manager, public outreach in the Public Affairs department, and as the executive assistant to the Executive Vice President/CEO. In 1998, she was appointed director of the AIAS at a time when the organization was in shambles, recalls her nominator, Thomas R. Mathison, FAIA. Its debt to the AIA was growing, its membership was shrinking, and no previous director had lasted more than a year. “During her four-year tenure, she guided the early repayment of the debt to the AIA, restored the AIAS’s reserves . . . and left the AIAS with a renewed appearance of positive morale.”

After her AIAS service, Kortan returned to the AIA, where she continues to serve as director of Governance Administration, where “she has provided the organizational glue that underpins the workings of the Board,” states her nomination. “One must have great and genuine caring for an organization to do what Pam has done for the last 15 years,” writes former AIA National President L. William Chapin II, FAIA, in his letter of support. “Now, by bestowing the title of Honorary AIA upon her, we have an opportunity to demonstrate how fortunate we are to have her among us.”

Ulrich M. Lindner, Hon. AIA
Trained as an engineer, Ulrich Lindner’s 40 years of service on an international basis have earned him great admiration for his skills as a practitioner in programming, planning, design, and documenting laboratory buildings. His influence in the field is unprecedented, writes Jack A. Carpenter, principal of Larson Carter Architects, San Diego, and Lindner’s nominator. “If he had done nothing else in his career, he would have served our profession and my community in an exceptional way by being a key participant in the design of the Salk Institute for Biological Studies . . . His ability to lead the architect toward a comprehensive solution that articulates the requirements of the building program while enhancing the human experience.”

Equally known for his work as an educator, Lindner has taught and published for the benefit of facility owners, managers, architects, scientists, and students. From 1983 to 1998, Lindner taught a short course in laboratory design with the University of Wisconsin-Madison College of Engineering. Held in different locations around the country, the course reached hundreds of architects and their clients from coast to coast. “On every project that I’ve been involved with him, Ulrich has run a ‘school’ of laboratory planning and design, challenging both users and designers to achieve more by looking beyond the present,” writes Cambridge Seven Principal Charles Redmon, FAIA. “Working with him is truly 1 + 1 = 3.”

Lynn J. Osmond, Hon. AIA
During her eight-year tenure as president and CEO of the Chicago Architecture Foundation (CAF), Lynn Osmond has fostered an enduring relationship with AIA community organizations and cultural institutions in celebrating Chicago’s rich architectural heritage. Osmond shows her belief in hands-on involvement in administering multiple CAF programs by participating as a tour docent, joining more than 400 CAF volunteers in leading architectural tours of Chicago that serve 170,000 patrons each year. She also administers programs that include weekly lectures on architecturally relevant topics, adult education programs on architecture and design, and study tours of significant architecture in U.S. cities and abroad.

Osmond also shows her interest and commitment to expanding the CAF youth education program, serving Chicago public school children and teachers in grades K–12. Workshops, special tours, and written materials included in the program highlight the history and development of Chicago architecture. “Lynn’s involvement with the community goes much beyond her work at the Chicago Architecture Foundation, writes Linda Searl, FAIA, principal of Searl and Associates. “As a member of the Mayor’s Design Initiative, appointed by Mayor Daley, Lynn was a proactive and valuable member of the committee. Her efforts to improve the city resulted in some very specific changes to the new Chicago Zoning Ordinance to help improve the potential reuse of landmark buildings.”

Richard L. Tomasetti, PE, Hon. AIA
The AIA New York and Long Island chapters say they are privileged to nominate Richard Tomasetti for Honorary membership. Throughout his distinguished career, Tomasetti and his firm, Thornton-Tomasetti Group Inc., have served as role models in the building industry for their outstanding accomplishments, contribution to the allied professions, and dedication to mentoring and training the next generation of architects and engineers. Richard is passionate about architecture and the power of design to enhance the built environment. “He has collaborated with the AIA New York Chapter on numerous outreach projects and led many industry organizations,” write his nominators: 2004 AIA New York Chapter President Mark E. Ginsberg, AIA, and AIA Long Island Executive Director Ann LaMonte, Hon. AIA/NYS. “Richard is the liaison between the New York engineering community and architects and serves on the Center for Architecture Advisory Board, guiding the home of the AIA New York Chapter and the New York Foundation for Architecture.”

Tomasetti’s immense respect throughout the architecture community comes also in part for his disaster response work in Umbria, Italy, and most notably his search, rescue, and recovery efforts at Ground Zero after the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. “New York City’s Department of Buildings tapped Richard to help coordinate the efforts of hundreds of engineers and architects from the private sector who were volunteering their help,” explains Engineering News-Record Editor-in-Chief Janice Tuchman in her letter of support. “He also helped allay public fears of additional collapses by reassuring the media that reports they had received were inaccurate . . . Richard and his firm have a strong reputation for problem solving. As a client once said, ‘They don’t moan and groan, they just jump in and go to work.’”

Richard S. Vosko, Hon. AIA
For more than 30 years, Richard “Dick” Vosko, a Catholic priest, has rendered distinguished service to the profession of architecture as a nationally known consultant for worship spaces. As an influential advocate for design excellence in religious architecture, he inspires architects, as well as their clients, to achieve the very best. Father Vosko’s teachings and public speaking, his many awards, and his numerous publications all serve as testimony to his contributions to the profession. For instance, he has been a frequent speaker for many Interfaith Forum on Religion, Art & Architecture (IFRAA) sponsored events and is a frequent contributor to scholarly journals, explains IFRAA Advisory Group Chair and nominator Michael Berkowicz.

Vosko’s work as a priest has included service as a liturgical consultant for more than 350 different congregations in the U.S. and Canada. He has been associated with such projects as the San Fernando Cathedral, San Antonio, which just won a 2004 AIA Minnesota Honor Award; the Cathedral of St. John, Milwaukee; and St. James Cathedral, Seattle. He also is an active participant in a variety of not-for-profit art- and architecture-related organizations. A great believer in the power of architecture, he insists a licensed architect be a part of every professional design team in which Vosko takes part. “Dick was at the core of the intelligent and far-reaching decisions that had to be made to reach [the highest] level of quality,” writes Ann M. Beha, FAIA, Ann Beha Architects. “He is a coach, a mentor, a thinker, and a visionary.”

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