Advisory Council

The Advisory Council exists to provide a partnership between the architecture profession and the MSU School of Architecture (SoA). Members are alumni and friends of the SoA who possess an excitement and passion for the MSU School of Architecture and are associated with well-regarded firms and related industries across the country. Twice a year the council meets in Bozeman to foster engagement with the MSU and Bozeman communities while assisting with fundraising and the creation of endowment funds. Additionally, monthly meetings take place online.

The Advisory Council establishes a network of individuals, organizations, institutions and businesses that are capable of expanding opportunities in instruction, research and outreach programs for the School of Architecture; acts as a catalyst in bringing together individuals, organizations, institutions and businesses seeking greater understanding, college collaboration, and involvement in higher education; and provides financial support for the betterment of the School of Architecture

History
Advisory Council's Impact
Advisory Council Committees
How to Join
Members
Advisory Council By Laws

History

On April 17, 1998, the first Advisory Council (AC) meeting was held at MSU’s School of Architecture and included six alumni, Wayne Berg, Warren Dean, Bill Hoy, Larry Hurlbert, Jerrily Kress, and Keith Rupert, invited by the then Director of the school, Clark Llewellyn. Since that first meeting the School of Architecture has hosted meetings each year and built a membership of over 50 architects and professionals. The AC has moved forward to include industry professionals in its membership and includes emerging professionals to support the school's relationship with recent graduates.

Advisory Council's Impact

Over the years, the AC has provided a means of communication between the profession and academia on topics of curriculum, design, innovation and architectural trends. The council participates in fundraising activities, lectures, competitions, design studios, and foreign travel. With the help of the MSU Alumni Foundation, the AC established the Endowment for Excellence. This endowment will sustain the school into the future. In addition, alumni on the council have also been leaders in fundraising for the Visiting Professorship Endowment that was initiated when approval was given by the MUS Board of Regents for MSU to retroactively award Master of Architecture degrees to MSU graduates who received a Bachelor of Architecture degree prior to 1997. The Visiting Professor Endowment allows the school to invite a visiting scholar to teach in the school every year.

In 2014, the professional architecture program, Master of Architecture, received an eight-year term of continuing accreditation from the National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB). Of note, the NAAB accreditation team highlighted the advisory council in the visiting team report. "...It [Advisory Council] has been instrumental in establishing and funding a number of endowments. The council is active in advising students, conducting lectures and studio critiques, and providing internships." The team also noted that "The SoA has a very strong connection with the alumni...and with...professionals.... These professionals also help students prepare their resumes, mock-interviews and provide employment." The MSU Master of Architecture program is scheduled for its next accreditation visit in 2023.

Advisory Council Committees

Each Advisory Council member sits on one of three working committees designed to provide support to the School of Architecture across a spectrum of areas. These committees are:

Knowledge Committee

Provide communication and liaison between the profession and the School of Architecture. Areas of responsibility will include but not be limited to:

Assist the lecture and exhibits committees of the School in identifying, contacting and bringing to lectures and exhibits to the School of Architecture
Maintaining the mentoring program
Studio support by participating and identifying professionals to sit on studio reviews in School of Architecture.

Faculty contact: Zuzanna Karczewska

Advisory Council Co-chairs: Laura Dornberger, Jesse Graden, Sid Scott, and Sam Ankeny.

Advocacy Committee

Engage the alumni of the School of Architecture in support of the School. Areas of responsibility will include but not be limited to:

Promoting, among firms, the School of Architecture Internship Program for fourth-year undergraduate students and graduate students, and supporting students in their pursuit of internships
Promoting and managing Advisory Council membership and annual giving
Identifying and leading fund-raising campaigns in support of the School of Architecture.

Faculty contact: Michael Everts.

Advisory Council Co-chairs: Mitch Conner, Steve Kwok, and Lauri Moffet-Fehlberg.

Student Engagement Committee

Support the School of Architecture and the profession’s aspiration to increase the social, cultural and economic diversity of students seeking an architectural education. Areas of responsibility will include but not be limited to:

Support the School of Architecture’s recruitment strategies through contact and engagement with high schools, community and tribal colleges and students
Identify strategies to support recruitment visits to the School of Architecture for students who’s social, cultural and economic circumstances would otherwise prevent travel to Bozeman, Montana
Identify strategies and seek funding within the profession and allied professions in support of scholarships and mentorship to increase the social, cultural and economic diversity of students and their success in the School of Architecture.

Faculty contact: Christopher Livingston.

Advisory Council contact: Whitney Ward, Kurt Fehlberg, Sean Shearer, and Levi Wilson.

How to Join the Advisory Council

The Advisory Council fo the School of Architecture invites our alumni, industry professionals and friends of the school to consider joining the Advisory Council. The membership process begins with an invitation to one of the Advisory Council's meetings so that potential members can see and hear the work on the Advisory Council in the School. For those interested in joining the Advisory Council please contact the Director of the School of Architecture at architect@montana.edu.

Advisory Council Members

Across the nation, council members act as a conduit and “cheerleaders” for our school within the profession. They express their pride in the numerous awards the students, faculty and staff have received, in the quality of our graduates and in the continuous innovation that the school has demonstrated.

Every AC member has an individual story to tell of why they attended MSU or why they have joined forces with the school. They take pride in being graduates of MSU and express their gratitude through their membership, generosity and participation in school events. The industry professionals who serve on the council work to connect allied professions to the School of Architecture. This alliance provides students and faculty with an awareness and understanding of industry trends while linking professionals with future architects. Council members range from principles in a firm to allied businesses to emerging professionals. The members offer advice to students based on their experiences in professional practice. AC members' presentations and workshops respond to students' questions about life after graduation and address issues of work schedule, firm differences, salary, licensure, professional expectations, and employment opportunities.

Join us as we begin the next leg of the School's journey that began many years ago!

Advisory Council Officers

President

Lynn McBride

Partner, Mithun

Secretary

Jason Egeline

Vice President, CWG Architects

President-Elect

Whitney Ward

Principal, VCBO Architecture

Past President

Jim Beal

Principal, Cushing Terrell

Current Members

Advisory Council Members 2023-2024