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Kossman Design Thesis Award + 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.

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.

As a proud alumnus, Kossman envisioned this award and lecture series to enrich the Architecture program at Penn State.

A fifth-year architecture student presents her thesis to a jury.

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
A fifth-year architecture student presents his thesis to a jury.

Winners

Kossman Digital Archives

2022-23

  • Holly Zimmerman

2021-22

  • Xi Jin
  • Sierra Hogan, Sydney Yakowenko – Honorable Mentions

2020-21

  • Danielle Oriol
  • Sarah Felter, Michael Hafer – Honorable Mentions

2019-20

  • Thomas Leonard
  • Audrey Buck – Honorable Mention

2018-19

  • Stephanie Bass

2017-18

  • Alexia Cavazos, Miranda Esposito
  • John Shinogle – Honorable Mention

2016-17

  • Alice Stewart Castner
  • Selby Niumataiwalu – Honorable Mention

2015-16

  • Hannah Lasota, Janahvi Ramakrishnan (research)

2014-15

  • Laurie Ann Mendez
  • Julia Brooks – Honorable Mention

2013-14

  • Dustin Julius, Veronica Patrick
  • Beresford Pratt, Theodore Wilson – Honorable Mentions

2012-13

  • Justin Konicek, Michael Stonikinis
  • Will Bunk, Lily Meier, Aaron Wertman, Kyle Schillaci – Honorable Mentions

2011-12

  • George Gard, Matthew Graham

2010-11

  • Gloria Leung, Miriam Lott

2009-10

  • Joseph Bevins, Adam Logenbach

2008-09

  • Danielle Rivera, Vanessa Dela Torre, Emily Jockel

2007-08

  • Brian Mangan

2006-07

  • David Maple

2005-06

  • Andrew Blaydon

2004-05

  • Thomas Schmitt

2003-04

  • Bethan Llewellyn

2002-03

  • Julia Haus

2001-02

  • Peter Olshavsky, Jennifer Reese

2000-01

  • Richard Danicic

1999-2000

  • Jennifer Dubas, Bradford Watson

1998-99

  • Jeffrey Owen, Michael Panachyda

1997-98

  • Katherine Speicher

1996-97

  • Stephen Milletto

1993-94

  • Steven Shaffer
  • Jodi La Coe – Honorable Mention

1991-92

  • Ken Roscioli

1989-90

  • Ashton Richards

1988-89

  • James O’Toole

1986-87

  • John T. Machovec

1985-86

  • Eric J. Mullendore

Lecturers

2021-22

  • Marshall Brown, Associate Professor of Architecture, Princeton University School of Architecture and Principal, Marshall Brown Projects, Inc. (rescheduled from 2019-20 due to COVID-19 pandemic)
  • Hilary Sample, IDC Professor of Housing Design and Sequence Director of the Core Architecture Studios, Columbia University Graduate School of Design and co-founder of MOS

2020-21

  • Cem S. Kayatekin, Assistant Professor, IE School of Architecture and Design (Segovia, Spain) and Co-founder, Blue Dot Studio

2018-19

  • Craig Buckley, Assistant Professor, History of Art, Modern and Contemporary Architecture, Department of the History of Art, Yale University

2016-17

  • Peggy Deamer, Professor of Architecture, Yale and Principal, Deamer, Architects

2014-15

  • Sheila Kennedy, Principal, Kennedy & Violich Architecture, Ltd.

2013-14

  • Kyna Leski, Professor of Architecture, Rhode Island School of Design and Principal, 3-six-0 Architects

2009-10

  • Laura Hartman, Partner, Fernau & Hartman Architects

2008-09

  • David Leatherbarrow, Professor of Architecture and Chair of the Graduate Group in Architecture, University of Pennsylvania School of Design
  • Alberto Pérez Gómez, Saidye Rosner Bronfman Professor in History and Theory of Architecture, McGill University School of Design

1990-91

  • Francesco Dal’Co, Visiting Professor, Yale University and Director, Architecture Section, Venice Biennale