by Frank E. Dittenhafer II, FAIA, LEED AP
Chair, Central PA Architects Foundation Advisory Committee
The Central PA Architects Foundation Fund (CPAFF) Architecture Scholarship has been awarded to Hannah Bahney, a fourth year Architecture student attending Tulane University in New Orleans, Louisiana. Hannah Bahney is the fifth recipient of the annual CPAFF Architecture Scholarship and has received a $1,000 award. Hannah was the unanimous selection of the Foundation Advisory Committee as the 2015 recipient after their review and evaluation of an impressive group of scholarship applications received during spring/summer 2015. Financial need, community involvement, volunteer activities, and examples of design work are considerations in the scholarship recipient selection process. The Foundation Advisory Committee is comprised of Past-Presidents of the AIA Central Pennsylvania Chapter.
The Committee was particularly impressed with Hannah’s inspiring perspectives about architecture and commitment to community engagement which became apparent while attending Tulane University in New Orleans during Hurricane Katrina. In Hannah’s own words as stated in her CPAFF Scholarship Application: “I want to feel that I am part of every community in which I design a project. Community engagement is essential in New Orleans, especially after the devastating effects of Hurricane Katrina. Witnessing firsthand the effects of rebuilding an entire city has made me fully understand the need for engagement of the community in everything we create. As architects we must do whatever we can to preserve and honor their culture, while not losing sight of our own designs.”
To be eligible for the CPAFF scholarship, student applicants must be currently enrolled in an architecture degree program: two year or four year undergraduate program, five year professional program, or graduate program leading to a Masters degree. Present or former residency is required from one of the thirteen counties within the AIA Central Pennsylvania Chapter Region. Hannah is a resident of Myerstown, Pennsylvania in Lebanon County.
Hannah spent the Fall 2015 semester in Spain studying Architecture - and was unable to attend the AIA Central PA Expo and Design Awards Program on November 2, 2015, when her selection as the CPAFF scholarship recipient was announced.
The Central PA Architects Foundation Architecture Scholarship was established as a permanent restricted scholarship fund in conjunction with The Foundation for Enhancing Communities (TFEC), headquartered in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, which administers the Fund. Annual fundraising efforts by the Foundation Advisory Committee and AIA Central PA Chapter continue to preserve and grow the endowment, and increase the annual award. Tax deductible donations may be made online through the AIA Central PA website link to TFEC.
The 2016 Scholarship Application Forms may be submitted by eligible students anytime after April 1, 2016 and prior to June 30, 2016 – with the award determination made by the CPAF Advisory Committee no later than August 15, 2016. Architecture Scholarship Application Forms will be available in 2016 through the TFEC and AIA Central PA Chapter websites.