George Swan Jr. (BArch, 1943) has passed. After serving in the US Army 1944-46, Swan returned to Minneapolis, spending the next 15 years working for various local architecture firms. In 1950, Swan and his wife built their home on Christmas Lake, just south of Lake Minnetonka. The home was featured in Better Homes and Gardens, 1954. During his professional architecture career Swan focused on schools, hospitals, and medical office buildings. In his private practice he frequently experimented with passive solar and other energy efficient design concepts.

George Swan Jr. home featured in Better Homes and Gardens, 1954.

Posted by Michael Fraase at 11:45 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Norman Haines (B Land Arch, 1980) passed away last year at his home in Rockville, MD. Haines "came to the University as a qualified surveyor and quickly established himself as a wise, no-nonsense presence in the studio," remembers classmate Jerry de Gryse (B Land Arch, 1979). "Norman knew how things worked and made them happen -- he was the first to attack any problem, organizing classmates and sharing what he knew, helping all to succeed while achieving exceptional results in his own right. Many of his classmates endured a winter's day or two as his survey field assistant, work that helped us to fund our educations and gave us a practical experience that has helped us all be better professionals in times since," continued de Gryse.

After graduation, Haines returned to his home in Maryland where he established Haines Land Design, providing landscape design and land use planning services. He developed a highly regarded expertise in wetland assessment, impact mitigation, and restoration, and acted as an expert witness in a number of major planning decisions.

Posted by Michael Fraase at 3:40 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Barbara Johnson Schnelle (BS DHA, related arts, with distinction '50) died in Edina, MN of natural causes on March 13, 2009. Schnelle was a student of the Goldstein sisters and donated a number of garments and accessories to the Goldstein Museum of Design. She was employed at Dayton's and Donaldson's department stores.

Posted by Laura Weber at 5:03 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Jaroslav (Jerry) Korsunsky (BArch '54), died March 30 in Minneapolis. He was 83.

Korsunsky worked as an architect at Ellerbe Becket before branching out and starting his own firm in his basement recreation room in 1964. He later teamed up with classmates Ron Krank and Ron Erickson to form KKE, an architectural firm that designed many nursing homes, schools and community centers, as well as the Mall of America.

• Jaroslav Korsunsky obituary (Star Tribune)

Posted by Laura Weber at 10:15 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

James McBurney (Architecture; B.A. Arch. 1953) died last month. McBurney worked as an architect, specializing mainly in architectural illustration and, for a time, worked in the office of Ralph Rapson.

• Star Tribune obituary

Posted by Michael Fraase at 10:16 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Gloria Cherne Hogan, one of the founders of the Friends of the Goldstein has died. Hogan's founding interest and association with the Goldstein over the museum's 25 year history has included roles as past president and active board member of the Friends of the Goldstein. A guest curator and donor of fashion garments to the gallery, her interest centers on the Goldstein's ever-growing costume collection, which she believes will reach national prominence. She was co-owner of Siegel-Hogan Enterprises (SHE) the first all-women public relations company in Minneapolis. Hogan was former Twin Cities bureau chief of Fairchild Publications for 25 years and winner of their business writing award and was also a business columnist for the Minneapolis Star and a fashion/business writer for Corporate Report, Twin Cities Woman, Minneapolis-St. Paul Magazine, Skyway News, and Real Estate Journal. She authored several books, including a biography of Elizabeth Quinlan.

• Gloria Cherne Hogan obituary (Star Tribune)

Posted by Michael Fraase at 10:40 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Long-time Friend of the Goldstein Mrs. Marion Winzen died of cancer in late September 2008. In addition to her participation on the Friends of the Goldstein board of directors, Winzen donated several pieces of designer clothing to the Goldstein. Donations in memory of Marion Winzen can be made to the Goldstein Museum of Design.

Posted by Michael Fraase at 4:37 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Nikos Bakirtzis joins the School of Architecture as a Cass Gilbert visiting professor for the year. Bakirtzis recently graduated with his Ph.D. in Art History and Archeology from Princeton. He brings a wealth of expertise on the Mediaeval Mediterranean and Byzantine studies. He has experience both in the classrooms of Columbia University and on site at various archeological surveys in Greece and Cyprus.

Posted by Michael Fraase at 10:51 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Laura Lee of Carnegie Mellon's School of Architecture, joins the School of Architecture as a Cass Gilbert visiting professor this year. Lee is the recipient of numerous honors, including Carnegie Mellon's Ryan Award, it's highest teaching honor, as well as the AIAS National Educator Award, a fellowship in the AIA (FAIA) and the Henry van de Velde Institute Award for Architecture Education. She will help develop a new professional practice course, taught by Renee Cheng and Vincent James, as well as assisting with curricular development in practice education.

Posted by Michael Fraase at 10:51 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Kathleen Virginia Dietrick (B.S. Home Economics, 1948) has died of natural causes in Falls Church, VA. Dietrick was a student of Harriet and Vetta Goldstein, namesakes of the Goldstein Museum of Design.

Donations in the memory of Dietrick can be made to the Goldstein Museum of Design.

Posted by Michael Fraase at 9:59 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Trenton Frick (B.A. Architecture 1997, M.Arch. 2000) died of a malignant brain tumor on August 8, 2008. Frick was serving as an intern architect level 3 and had completed his intern development program (IDP) with RNL Design in Denver, an international architecture, engineering, and planning firm.

Posted by Michael Fraase at 4:48 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Gregory Donofrio has accepted the new position of assistant professor in Heritage Preservation and Conservation. Donofrio has a background in the history of science and technology, a master's degree in Historic Preservation Planning from Cornell University, and is completing a Ph.D. at the same institution. In addition to teaching at Cornell, he has worked for the New York State Historic Preservation Office, consulted on many projects, and served as Historic Sites Restoration Coordinator for New York City. With interests ranging from agricultural landscapes to historic urban food markets here and abroad, he comes to the college with a particular strength in the economics of historic preservation and neighborhood revitalization.

Posted by Michael Fraase at 9:48 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Ignacio San Martin, currently at the University of Arizona, has joined the College of Design as director of the Metropolitan Design Center. San Martin will also join the School of Architecture as a professor.

His work bridges architecture, landscape architecture, and planning, and he is highly regarded not only in the U.S., but in Latin America and Europe as well. "Professor San Martin's numerous outreach efforts in Arizona have prepared him well for the community based work of the Metropolitan Design Center," said Dean Tom Fisher in a statement. "He is also a very experienced and skilled educator, which will help us move the Metropolitan Design certificate program forward."

Posted by Michael Fraase at 2:03 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

John Koepke (Landscape Architecture) has stepped down as the head of the department after 13 years. Lance Neckar (Landscape Architecture) replaced him effective June 9.

A celebration of Koepke's tenure as department head was held at Spill the Wine on June 4; here are some images from that event.

Continue reading "Koepke celebration at Spill the Wine" »

Posted by Michael Fraase at 11:11 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Dave Bowers (formerly of Digital Collections and Archives) has transferred to the Imaging Lab, where he will be senior photographer.

Posted by Michael Fraase at 1:24 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Melissa Collins (formerly personnel specialist) is the College of Design's new research and outreach administrator, effective Monday, May 19, 2008.

Posted by Michael Fraase at 10:56 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Rapson Hall
Monday, April 21, 2008

Continue reading "Images from Ralph Rapson memorial" »

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The Guthrie Theater, Minneapolis
April 21, 2008

When the Rapson family asked me to speak today about Ralph's architectural legacy I was honored and eager to do so. I approached the task with confidence because more than once in the past I had addressed a large group of people about the significance of Ralph's work and career. But each of those times, the object of my remarks, my friend Ralph Rapson, was in attendance. It generally worked like this: Ralph would enter the room, trailed by a swarm of colleagues, friends and admirers. He would eventually take a seat in the front row of the audience, cross his legs, prop his cane against his chair, give the sign we could begin, listen politely -- and nod in agreement -- as I described the highlights of his remarkable architectural journey. When I completed my part, Ralph -- who was something of a celebrity -- would rise to the podium, make a self-effacing remark like "Jane knows more about me than I do," and proceed to delight the audience with choice -- and occasionally risque -- anecdotes of the famous and infamous encounters of his rich and fascinating life. Although I may have provided the history, dates, and details of his legendary career, my contribution was just string of words until Ralph stood up. Just by being there, in the simple fact of his physical presence, Ralph conveyed -- as words could not -- seven decades architectural accomplishment and a life well lived. Ralph was the stuff of legend -- and very charming to boot. But today it's different because Ralph is not in the front row and I must go it alone. I have to tell you it's much harder to do -- and will certainly be less entertaining -- without Ralph, the rock star of Minnesota architecture, as the main event.

Ralph was not the first modern architect to practice in the state, but he would become Minnesota's most influential proponent of cutting-edge modernism by nature of his dual role as practitioner and head of the School of Architecture at the University. When he arrived in the state in 1954 at the age of 40, Ralph already possessed a dazzling resume.

Continue reading "Jane King Hession remarks at Ralph Rapson memorial service" »

Posted by Michael Fraase at 10:28 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Ralph Rapson, head of the School of Architecture for 30 years -- from 1954-1984 -- has died at the age of 93.

Rapson's legacy as an architect and architectural educator will long be remembered. The School of Architecture proudly bears the mark of his leadership through the generations of students who were shaped by his teaching. His legacy is sustained through Rapson Hall, through his inclusion on the University's Wall of Discovery, and through a memorial fund in the college named in his honor.

One of the oldest, and most prolific, practicing architects Rapson worked mostly in the modernist style.

Dean Tom Fisher recalls Ralph Rapson as the "Dean of Minnesota's architectural community and the last of the second generation of modernists in America still practicing. His passing ends an era in American architecture as well as in the history of the School of Architecture, and he will be very much missed by the thousands of people he influenced."

Share your memories of Ralph Rapson in the comments.

Memorial service

The Ralph Rapson Memorial Service has been scheduled to take place at the new Guthrie Theater on Monday, April 21 at 10 a.m.

The Guthrie's thrust stage was an innovation of Rapson's and was incorporated in what was one of his most renowned buildings. Although the original Guthrie was torn down in 2006, the new Guthrie, designed by Jean Nouvel, recreated this type of stage, where the memorial will be held.

Reception

A reception will follow at 11:30 a.m. at the Rapson Hall courtyard. Arrangements are being made for shuttle buses from the Guthrie to Rapson Hall and back. The reception is co-sponsored by the College of Design and the American Institute of Architects Minnesota (AIA-MN).

Memorials
The family has suggested that memorials go to the Rapson Traveling Fellowship (Minnesota Architectural Foundation) and/or the Ralph Rapson Fund, a permanent endowment in the College of Design, School of Architecture. The fund, a testament to Ralph Rapson's integrity and long teaching career, supports students enrolled in the M.Arch program through annual scholarships.

Gifts may be made online. Designate your gift to the Ralph Rapson fund in the "special instructions" text box. Checks should be made payable to the University of Minnesota Fund; designate that it is for the Ralph Rapson Fund in the College of Design. For questions about giving to this or other funds please contact Sue Danielson Bretheim in the College of Design at danie002@umn.edu, 612-624-1386.

Related links:

• A storied career: Ralph Rapson (University of Minnesota Alumni Association profile)


• Ralph Rapson, architect of the original Guthrie, has died (Minnesota Public Radio feature)


• Ralph Rapson (Wikipedia profile)


• Architect Ralph Rapson at 91 (Minnesota Public Radio 2005 profile)


• Blu Dot to make Rapson chair (Star Tribune February 2008 feature)


• Former head of architecture school dies (Minnesota Daily notice)


• Ralph Rapson dies at age 93 (The Bridge notice)


• Ralph Rapson dies (Todd Melby's Building Minnesota notice)


• Architect of original Guthrie was an icon and an innovator (Star Tribune obituary)


• Architect's legacy: Twin Cities landmarks, decades of students (Pioneer Press obituary)


• Rapson remembered (Linda Mack's MinnPost profile)


• Ralph Rapson, former head of the school of architecture, dies at 93 (University News Service release)


• Remembering Ralph Rapson (MPR Midday feature)


• Ralph Rapson, 93; modernist architect (Claire Noland's Los Angeles Times profile)


• Ralph Rapson, Modernist Architect, Is Dead at 93 (Robin Pogrebin's New York Times profile)


• By wrecking Ralph Rapson's Pillsbury house, Bill Cooper left state poorer (Chris Steller's opinion of the razing of Rapson's Pillsbury house)


• A final curtain call for the Guthrie's architect (Mary Abbe's Star Tribune coverage of the Rapson memorial)


• Jane King Hession remarks at Ralph Rapson memorial service


• Dean Tom Fisher remarks at Ralph Rapson memorial service


• Images from Ralph Rapson memorial, Rapson Hall, Monday, April 21, 2008


• Rip Rapson remarks at Ralph Rapson memorial service


• Podcast from Ralph Rapson memorial, Rapson Hall, Monday, April 21, 2008

Posted by Michael Fraase at 10:37 AM | Permalink | Comments (3)

Becky Yust, department head of Design, Housing, and Apparel announces two new faculty members have accepted positions in the retail merchandising program and will begin fall semester.

Hye-Young Kim is currently an assistant professor at Washington State University. She received her Ph.D. in retail and consumer sciences with a minor in statistics from the University of Tennessee. Her Master's is from the University of North Texas and her Bachelor's from Hong-Ik University in Seoul.

Juanjuan Wu is an assistant professor at State University of New York—Oneonta. Her Ph.D. is from the University of Minnesota, her Master's from China Textile University, and she has a Bachelor's from Shanghai University of Engineering Science.

Posted by Michael Fraase at 11:28 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Lucy Dunne has joined the DHA faculty as an assistant professor in clothing design/wearable technology and will begin her appointment fall semester. Dunne has a PhD in computer science from University College Dublin, an MA in apparel design, a BS in textiles and clothing from Cornell University, and an AAS in electronics and computer systems from Tompkins Cortland Community College.

Posted by Michael Fraase at 4:15 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Eunice Haugen has been appointed to the new position of registrar/materials library coordinator for the Goldstein Museum of Design (GMD), beginning December 17th. Haugen comes to GMD from the Minnesota Museum of American Art (MMAA) where she was registrar /exhibition coordinator for 17 years and active in museum professional organizations. While at the MMAA, she developed an off-site collection storage area, managed the archival packing and move of the collection, coordinated the installation of over 100 exhibitions, and managed the national tour of two exhibitions. As registrar/materials library coordinator, Haugen will be responsible for the management of GMD's collections storage and database, coordinate exhibition installations in McNeal Hall and for developing the foundation for a future college materials library.

Posted by Michael Fraase at 10:02 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Jean McElvain has been appointed assistant curator for the Goldstein Museum of Design. McElvain is a Ph.D. candidate with an apparel emphasis, and has an M.Arch. and a B.S. in costume design, both from the University of Minnesota. She brings to the position five year's professional experience with Twin Cities architects and experience as a Goldstein Museum graduate assistant where she assisted with object study, collections management, and exhibition coordination. Recently she served as James Boyd-Brent's research assistant for Here by Design III: Process and Prototype researching the history of design process and its relationship to the impact of new technologies on design process.

As assistant curator, McElvain will be responsible for developing learning opportunities with the museum's collection, working with faculty and scholars to research and develop a comprehensive collections plan, working with guest curators on exhibition development, and enriching the museum's outreach to the community.

Posted by Michael Fraase at 1:57 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Hilary Gebauer has joined the college's student services department as an administrative fellow. Gebauer is a first-year Master of Public Health student and will work on degree progress and data as well as web and communications projects.

Posted by Michael Fraase at 10:05 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Clay Kimber has joined the College of Design IT staff as a systems administrator. Kimber, with 10 years of IT experience, will also be working with and supporting the college's desktop computing environment.

Posted by Michael Fraase at 3:12 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Nancy Miller has been appointed associate director of the Center for World Heritage Studies (CWHS). Miller is an architectural historian with an M.Arch. from the University of Minnesota and a Ph.D. from the University of Pennsylvania. She brings to the position her experience in historic preservation research and advocacy; teaching architectural history and urban design in our School of Architecture; and research, outreach, and curriculum and Web development for the Design Center for American Urban Landscape (now the Metropolitan Design Center). Recently, she worked at the intersection of American and UNESCO preservation policy and criteria when she developed the UNESCO World Heritage Site nomination for Cranbrook.

As Associate Director of the CWHS, Miller will be working with the center's director, Arthur Chen, to establish the program in heritage studies and historic preservation (a concentration in Architecture's MS program) and begin recruiting for Fall 2008, build institutional relationships within the University and the Twin Cities, raise funds, and enrich the center's programs. In addition to her CWHS project, Miller is also working on a book on the history of the University of Minnesota's architecture and landscape, to be published by the University of Minnesota Press.

Posted by Michael Fraase at 6:32 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Carl Leeper (Rapson Hall computer labs) has accepted a position with the architectural firm Ellerbe Becket's San Francisco office. Leeper's new position will draw on his extensive experience in digital representation as well as his degree in Architecture from our college. Leeper's last day will be August 8. A farewell gathering in his honor will be held August 7 in 225 Rapson at 3 p.m.

Posted by Michael Fraase at 11:23 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Study abroad plays an important role in the student experience and the college is committed to sustaining and increasing these programs. We are pleased to announce that, effective July 30, for the 2007-08 academic year David Lowe will be providing support to the college’s study abroad efforts. This is a 50% assignment, with Lowe dividing his effort between study abroad and administrative support to the Metropolitan Design Center.

We are very pleased that Lowe agreed to assume this important role. Over the next few weeks, he will be meeting with some of you to become oriented to the college’s study abroad programs and participants. He will also be working with the Learning Abroad Center and our finance staff to develop and streamline systems and processes to better serve the faculty. While Lowe won’t be able to provide support for all of the college’s study abroad activities, at 50%-time, we are confident he will be able to contribute significantly to many critical aspects.

Please stop by and introduce your self to David. He is located at the front desk of the Metropolitan Design Center, 1 Rapson Hall.

Posted by Michael Fraase at 11:40 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

To prepare for implementation of new Enterprise Financial System (EFS) in July 2008, a staff reorganization in the Budget & Financial Services Office is underway.

First, a new dedicated data analyst position is being created. The University controller’s office is recommending that this position be added to collegiate accounting clusters because the EFS reports will not be fully developed for some time after implementation and it is unclear at this point how the PeopleSoft financials “canned� reports will meet the needs of PIs and other managers. This position will support financial reporting needs across the entire college. Funding for a new position is not available; therefore, Jill Bezecny has agreed to take on this responsibility.

Bezecny’s experience as team-lead for the Minneapolis financial services team, accountant with CALA, and strong accounting background, give her the skills and expertise to take on this responsibility. Bezecny is already transitioning into this new role. Her new duties officially begin August 15, 2007. Her office will be in 32 McNeal, St. Paul campus. In her new position Bezecny will provide service to the college in the area of grants oversight and reporting for all sponsored and non-sponsored grant funding. She will also provide oversight in the management of gift funds at the Foundation, specifically in the area of forecasting available funding and will also coordinate withdrawals. Bezecny will be in charge of college-wide financial reporting. I encourage you to meet with her to make sure your reporting requirements are being met now and in the new system.

Arlene Jones-Swenson will become supervisor of both the Minneapolis and St. Paul financial services teams on August 15. Her current experience as team lead of the St. Paul financial services team and previous experience supervising the DHA accounting team give her the expertise to take on this broader role. To ensure continued accessible service, Jones-Swenson will have office space on both campuses and will split her time between the two. Monday and Tuesday she plans to be in 32 McNeal Hall, Wednesday and Thursday she will be in 109 Rapson Hall. Fridays will alternate but in the beginning will most likely be in Minneapolis. Jones-Swenson will provide management of non-grant funding, specifically O&M, external sales, and other unrestricted activity. She will also supervise the payroll functions of the college. Jones-Swenson will directly supervise David Howe, and Bethany Frappier on the Minneapolis campus and Pat Wright, Karen Greeder, and Nancy Galas on the St. Paul campus. Both Bezecny and Jones-Swenson will continue to report directly to Rose Blixt.

The goal in implementing these changes prior to the EFS go-live date is to ensure that Bezecny and Jones-Swenson have the time to build relationships with department and research center personnel, acquire the training they will need to effectively perform their work, and gain the confidence of college constituencies.

The new financial system will provide new challenges and we ask your continued support and patience as we become a cohesive team well-prepared to serve the college.

Please don’t hesitate to call or e-mail Rose Blixt <rblixt@umn.edu> if you have specific questions or concerns regarding the shift in personnel.

Posted by Michael Fraase at 11:12 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)