Spirograph
graduates throw their caps in front of the College of Fine Arts

AIA Medal for Academic Excellence

B.Arch & M.Arch Student Award

Carnegie Mellon Architecture graduates throw their caps in celebration on the lawn of the College of Fine Arts building. Credit: Long Q Hong

The AIA Medal for Academic Excellence is awarded to the top graduating students in NAAB-accredited degrees, including Carnegie Mellon Architecture's Bachelor of Architecture and Master of Architecture programs.

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Graduating students in the Bachelor of Architecture program and the Master of Architecture program are eligible for the AIA Medal for Academic Excellence. Carnegie Mellon Architecture selects the candidates based on the guidelines provided by the AIA national organization.

Mission

the AIA Medal for Academic Excellence with a blue ribbon
The AIA Medal for Academic Excellence. Credit: AIA

Since 1914, AIA has provided a medal of excellence to the top graduating students in National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB) accredited degrees, including the Bachelor of Architecture and Master of Architecture. The award recognizes graduates who display "general excellence" throughout their academic career. 

Eligibility & Schedule

Graduating students in the Bachelor of Architecture program and the Master of Architecture program are eligible for the AIA Medal for Academic Excellence. Carnegie Mellon Architecture selects the candidates based on the guidelines provided by the AIA national organization. The winner is announced at the annual diploma ceremony.

Award Recipients

  • 2024: Rebecca Cunningham (B.Arch '24) & Rachel Ruscigno (M.Arch '24)
  • 2023: Nicholas Coppula (B.Arch '23), Madeline Cotton (B.Arch '23) & Xinyi Wang (M.Arch '23)
  • 2022: Xiaotian He (B.Arch '22) & Kashmala Imtiaz (M.Arch '22)
  • 2021: Christoph Eckrich (B.Arch '21) & Sharleen Devjani (M.Arch '21)
  • 2020: Cotey Anderegg (B.Arch '20) 
  • 2019: Gunn Chaiyapatranun (B.Arch '19)
  • 2018: Sinan Goral (B.Arch '18)
  • 2017: Chandler Archbell (B.Arch '17)
  • 2016: Laura Gonzalez (B.Arch '16)
  • 2015: not awarded
  • 2014: not awarded
  • 2013: Talia Perry (B.Arch '13) & Medha Singh (B.Arch '13)
  • 2012: Sam Faller (B.Arch '12) & Grace Ding (B.Arch '12) 
  • 2011: Karen Branick (B.Arch '11)
  • 2010: Craig Rosman (B.Arch '10)
  • 2009: Xianghu Wu (B.Arch '09)

The AIA previously awarded the Henry Adams AIA Certificate to the second-ranking Bachelor of Architecture graduate; however, this award is now discontinued.

  • 2018: Rachel Muse (B.Arch '18)
  • 2017: Carolina Tamayo (B.Arch '17)
  • 2016: Gloriana Gonzalez Herrero (B.Arch '16)
  • 2015: not awarded
  • 2014: not awarded
  • 2013: Jessica Wang (B.Arch '13) & Leto Karatsolis-Chanikian (B.Arch '13)
  • 2012: Joey Koon (B.Arch '12) & Annemarie Malbon (B.Arch '12)
  • 2011: Matthew Huber (B.Arch '11)
  • 2010: Jared Friedman (B.Arch '10)
  • 2009: Blake Lam (B.Arch '09)