New study abroad funding program established in honor of architecture alumnus Richard Peters

LAWRENCE — Students in the University of Kansas School of Architecture & Design may now benefit from a fund that’s been established to help them study abroad. The Richard C. Peters Architecture Study Abroad Student Support Fund is designed to provide $1,000 in financial support to a student who is studying in a country outside of the United States. 

The fund was established through KU Endowment by a gift of the family of Richard Peters. Peters was a 1954 graduate of the KU Department of Architecture and a lifelong supporter of KU. The fund may be used to support teaching or research assistantships, fellowships or any other use as designated by the dean of the architecture & design school.  

Peters, who died Dec. 30, 2020, spent most of his life in Kansas. He served in the U.S. Army, which helped him earn his Bachelor of Science in Architecture from KU. He started his own Lawrence-based firm in 1957 and was responsible for such projects as Deerfield Elementary School, Babcock Senior Apartments, Haworth Hall and Child Development Center, Lawrence City Hall, Lawrence Public Library, Alvamar and Lawrence country clubs, the Golf Course Superintendents headquarters, First Baptist Church and West Side Presbyterian Church. He also designed his family’s home in Lawrence. 

Peters and his wife were avid travelers, which is one of the reasons the family chose to honor their father with a study abroad fund. 

“Our hope is this will encourage people to enjoy travel for its own sake and to learn about different people and cultures as well as their architecture,” said Peters’ son, Dr. Chris Peters.  

In addition to the Richard C. Peters Architecture Study Abroad Student Support Fund, the family also established the Richard C. and M. Kathleen Peters Fund at the Lied Center.