![A fifth-year architecture student presents her thesis to a jury.](https://arts.psu.edu/assets/uploads/images/_1920xAUTO_fit_center-center_80_none/arch_2103_kossman.png)
Kossman Design Thesis Award and Lectures
The History
The Paul M. Kossman Endowment for Excellence was established by the late Paul Kossman, Kossman Development Corporation, and Paul’s wife, Agnes Kossman, to provide support for lectureships and student awards.
Paul Kossman earned his degree in architectural engineering from Penn State in 1949. As a proud alumnus, Kossman envisioned this award and lecture series to enrich the Architecture program at Penn State.
The endowment supports a thesis competition and lecture series in the Kossman name, which began in 1990 and has become a coveted award among fifth-year architecture students at Penn State.
![Excerpt from Thomas Leonard's 2020 Kossman Award-winning design.](https://arts.psu.edu/assets/uploads/images/_1280xAUTO_fit_center-center_80_none/arch_2105-thomas2-kossman-2020.png)
Kossman Senior Design Award
The Paul M. Kossman Senior Design Award in Architecture is presented to the most deserving fifth-year student for excellence in design based on their senior thesis and as recommended by the faculty and the jury to the head of the department.
Excerpts from past Kossman Award-winning projects
![Excerpt from Danielle Oriol's 2021 Kossman Award-winning design.](https://arts.psu.edu/assets/uploads/images/_680xAUTO_fit_center-center_80_none/arch_2105-oriol1-kossman-2021.png)
![Excerpt from Thomas Leonard's 2020 Kossman Award-winning design.](https://arts.psu.edu/assets/uploads/images/_680xAUTO_fit_center-center_80_none/arch_2105-thomas3-kossman-2020.png)
![Three side-by-side renderings of an architectural project showing the detailed design features.](https://arts.psu.edu/assets/uploads/images/_680xAUTO_fit_center-center_80_none/arch_2207_jin_detaildesign.png)
![Excerpt from Danielle Oriol's 2021 Kossman Award-winning design.](https://arts.psu.edu/assets/uploads/images/_680xAUTO_fit_center-center_80_none/arch_2105-oriol2-kossman-2021.png)
![Excerpt from Danielle Oriol's 2021 Kossman Award-winning design.](https://arts.psu.edu/assets/uploads/images/_680xAUTO_fit_center-center_80_none/arch_2105-oriol3-kossman-2021.png)
![Excerpt from Danielle Oriol's 2021 Kossman Award-winning design.](https://arts.psu.edu/assets/uploads/images/_680xAUTO_fit_center-center_80_none/arch_2105-oriol4-kossman-2021.png)
![Excerpt from Danielle Oriol's 2021 Kossman Award-winning design.](https://arts.psu.edu/assets/uploads/images/_680xAUTO_fit_center-center_80_none/arch_2105-oriol5-kossman-2021.png)
![Excerpt from Thomas Leonard's 2020 Kossman Award-winning design.](https://arts.psu.edu/assets/uploads/images/_680xAUTO_fit_center-center_80_none/arch_2105-thomas1-kossman-2020.png)
![Excerpt from Thomas Leonard's 2020 Kossman Award-winning design.](https://arts.psu.edu/assets/uploads/images/_680xAUTO_fit_center-center_80_none/arch_2005_leonard_kossman5.jpg)
![A musical score designed by Xi Jin for her 2022 Kossman Award-wining project.](https://arts.psu.edu/assets/uploads/images/_680xAUTO_fit_center-center_80_none/arch_2207_jin_musicscore.png)
![A page from Xi Jin's 2022 thesis showing her project proposal and the translation of architectural features into music.](https://arts.psu.edu/assets/uploads/images/_680xAUTO_fit_center-center_80_none/arch_2207_jin_translation_proposal.png)
![A fifth-year architecture student presents his thesis to a jury.](https://arts.psu.edu/assets/uploads/images/_680xAUTO_fit_center-center_80_none/arch_2103_kossman2.png)