Lifetime Achievement Award

David Bell

David Bell (Industrial Design, 1960) has practiced industrial design in one of the profession's most specialized fields for over 50 years: private aircraft interiors. Following his graduation from the University of Kansas, he began his career at Beechcraft in Wichita before serving in the armed forces and continuing his professional work in California with Pacific Airmotive, AiResearch, and World Airways. In the early 1970s, Bell founded Bell Design, a consultancy dedicated exclusively to private aircraft interiors.

Among his most notable commissions was the custom interior design for a Boeing 720 later known as The Starship. Completed in 1973, the aircraft became an iconic fixture in popular culture, transporting many of the era's most prominent musicians and performers. Bell's career reflects decades of innovation, craftsmanship, and leadership in a highly specialized area of industrial design. 

Dr. Steve Kirk 

Dr. Steve Kirk (Architecture, 1973; Master of Architecture, 1975) is CEO and president of Kirk Associates, an architecture consulting firm serving national and international government agencies and private-sector clients. Throughout his career, he has contributed to more than 500 major projects for organizations including the National Park Service, U.S. Department of State, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, U.S. General Services Administration, universities, General Motors, Dow, and international corporations.

A recognized authority in value-based design and life-cycle costing, Kirk has authored 11 books and taught architecture-related subjects at five universities, including service as a Senior Fulbright Scholar. He earned Bachelor of Architecture and Master of Architecture degrees from the University of Kansas and completed a Doctor of Architecture degree at the University of Michigan. His career exemplifies professional achievement, scholarship, and service to the discipline of architecture. 

John Wyant 

John Wyant (Graphic Design,1962) is an inventor and product development leader whose career helped shape the school and office products industry. Over a 36-year career with the Mead Corporation, he served as Director of New Product Development and led the creation of innovative products that generated more than $1 billion in sales.

Holder of 42 patents, Wyant advanced new approaches to manufacturing materials, product functionality, and consumer-focused design. A graduate of the University of Kansas with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Graphic Design, he also served as a design instructor early in his career. His contributions demonstrate the power of design-driven innovation and sustained professional leadership. 

Late-Career Achievement Award

Marcus Carter 

Marcus Carter (Architecture, 2000) is co-founder of OBJECT TERRITORIES, a design practice based in Hong Kong and New York that operates at the intersection of architecture, landscape, and urbanism. The firm develops projects ranging from architectural interventions to regional master plans, emphasizing innovative approaches to public space, materiality, and social engagement.

OBJECT TERRITORIES has exhibited internationally at venues including the Center for Architecture in New York, the Center for Architecture + Design in San Francisco, the Yale School of Architecture, Governors Island, and the Erie Canal Museum. Carter's professional experience includes work with Robert A.M. Stern Architects, Kohn Pedersen Fox, and Steven Holl Architects. He currently serves as an assistant professor at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, where he continues to explore the relationship between architecture, landscape, and urban environments.

Scott Cole 

Scott Cole (Industrial Design) has established himself over a career spanning more than 35 years as a leading figure in international yacht design. Founder of Ardeo Design, he has been commissioned to create more than two dozen highly customized superyachts that have earned widespread recognition throughout the industry.

Cole's work is distinguished by its craftsmanship, innovation, and client-centered approach. His designs have been featured in leading international publications, including Boat International, Superyacht Magazine, and Luxe Interiors + Design. Through decades of professional excellence, he has helped define contemporary standards for luxury yacht design while extending the University of Kansas design tradition to a global audience. 

Phil Dougherty 

Phil Dougherty (Architecture, 1987), vice president at Slaggie Architects in Kansas City, has built a distinguished career marked by design excellence, professional leadership, and dedicated service to the architecture profession. Over nearly four decades, he has contributed to major sports and institutional projects across the country, including facilities at the University of Kansas and other prominent collegiate athletic programs.

In addition to his professional accomplishments, Dougherty has been a committed educator, mentor, and advocate for the next generation of architects. He has served as a lecturer at the University of Kansas and as a member of the KU Architecture and Design Professional Advisory Board. His impact is especially evident through his leadership as co-founder and former president of the National Organization of Minority Architects Kansas City Chapter (NOMAKC), advancing opportunities and representation within the profession. 

Thomas Trenolone 

Thomas Trenolone (Master of Architecture, 2000) serves as senior vice president and design director at HDR, where he has played a transformative role in elevating design excellence and cultivating a culture of innovation. Throughout his career, he has received more than 100 design awards, including five national AIA awards, and his work has been widely recognized in prominent architectural publications.

A recipient of the AIA National Young Architect Award and a member of the AIA College of Fellows, Trenolone is also known for advancing design discourse through initiatives including Opacity and Design Alliance Omaha. His collaborative research project, Rural Resolve: Saving Main Street, received international recognition for its impact on community revitalization. Through design leadership, mentorship, and public engagement, he has influenced both the profession and the communities it serves. 

Mid-Career Achievement Award

Brian Giebink 

Brian Giebink (Master of Architecture, 2010) is a healthcare planner at HDR and serves as director of the firm's Behavioral Health Design Studio. His career has focused on advancing innovative, research-based design solutions that improve experiences and outcomes in behavioral and mental health environments.

Giebink's leadership in the field emerged through groundbreaking project work and continued research into evidence-based behavioral healthcare design. He frequently shares his expertise through publications, conferences, and professional forums, helping advance best practices across the industry. His work has established him as a respected advocate for environments that support patient well-being and effective care delivery. 

Brandon Kent 

Brandon Kent (Architecture, 2005) serves as managing director of the San Francisco studio of Perkins&Will, where he provides strategic leadership for the firm's Bay Area practice. He oversees complex architectural projects while fostering collaboration, design excellence, and a strong studio culture.

Recognized for his relationship-driven leadership style, Kent works closely with clients and project teams to align vision, performance, and innovation. He is deeply committed to advancing sustainability, equity, and design excellence while guiding continued growth and impact across the firm's regional and national practice. 

Andrew Mass 

Andrew Mass (Architecture, 2002) has spent more than two decades helping shape the growth and success of BRR Architecture. As chief operating officer, he combines operational leadership with architectural expertise, guiding teams across multiple offices while developing the firm's next generation of leaders.

Mass played a key role in establishing BRR's San Francisco and Philadelphia offices and has overseen significant organizational growth and record financial performance. He continues to lead major retail and grocery projects nationwide, including the acclaimed Whole Foods Market at One Wall Street in New York City. His career reflects a sustained commitment to strategic leadership, design quality, and organizational excellence. 

Anthony Treu 

Anthony Treu (Architecture, 2005) is principal and healthcare practice leader at Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM), where he has built an internationally recognized portfolio of healthcare projects. Through visionary leadership, he has played a central role in rebuilding and expanding SOM's healthcare practice while advancing new possibilities for healthcare design.

His work includes major medical and cancer-care facilities across the United States, Asia, the Middle East, and Central Asia. Treu's projects demonstrate a consistent commitment to innovation, design excellence, and the transformative role architecture can play in improving health outcomes. His influence on healthcare architecture has earned national recognition and established him as a leading voice in the field.

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