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UMKC professor consecutively receives two awards

January 16th, 2012 | Add a Comment

Theodore Seligson, professor in the Department of Architecture, Urban Planning and Design, is also a Fellow of the American Institute of Architects (FAIA) emeritus. He was presented a Presidential Award on Dec. 6 by The American Institute of Architects – Kansas City Chapter, as well as a Lifetime Achievement Award on Dec. 7 by the Historic Kansas City Foundation, according to the UMKC Public Relations press release.

Along with these two awards, he has received more than 25 national, regional and local awards, along with a nomination for a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Smithsonian’s Cooper Hewitt, National Design Museum in 2010, for his projects.

“A self-professed student himself, he [Seligson] never stops imagining new solutions, new ideas and fresh ways of seeing,” said Joy Swallow, FAIA member and chair of Architecture, Urban Planning and Design. “Having a career that has spanned the last half of the 20th century has given him perspectives that act as a balance for his teaching methods.”

Seligson has a long work history attributing to his awards. Before establishing his own architectural, urban design and interior design firm here in Kansas City, where he was principal and designer for 40 years, he was head of design at Kivett & Myers, who designed Katz Hall, according to the press release.

One of his designs was displayed at an exhibit at The Museum of Modern Art in New York.

According to the press release, he has also served as president (1989), board member (1978-1994) and vice president (1988) of the Native Sons and Daughters of Kansas City, and was “instrumental in the designation of the first seven buildings in Kansas City, Mo. that were listed on the National Register of Historic Places.”

To honor Seligson’s contributions to architecture and design, a Seligson Fund has been established to provide financial backing for lectures, special events and other projects that support and advance the Architecture, Urban Planning and Design program.

khart@unews.com