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.
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.
Past Winners
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
- Hannah Lasota, Janahvi Ramakrishnan (research)
2014-15
- Laurie Ann Mendez
- Julia Brooks – Honorable Mention
- 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
- 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
- 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
Past 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