We’re excited to announce our 2020 Alumni Awards winners.

The CAP Executive Advisory Board annually recognizes alumni who demonstrate outstanding professional success or achievement in their field of endeavor. While we were unable to hold an awards dinner in the fall, we held a virtual presentation to honor our award recipients.

Watch the presentation here.

 

---

GET TO KNOW OUR WINNERS

Distinguished Alumni Award

Jim Andrew, Urban Planning, ’71

Jim represents the epitome of high achievement by a CAP alum in a non-traditional career arc.  After determining working as a planner for a government agency wasn’t for him, he pursued an entrepreneurial career in the building supply industry.  Jim bought Henry Poor Lumber and through all economic cycles has grown the business, expanded its offerings and products and implemented best of class management controls and processes.  He supports Ball State in many ways including having served as President of the Alumni Council.

Give 3 words that remind you of your time spent at CAP:  Networking, Endurance, Momentum

How did your time at CAP impact the work you do now? – Planning and Architecture were not combined in the late 60’s & early 70’s and Construction Management wasn’t offered. Our company develops residential subdivisions. I still draw on my BSU planning 101 principles to create attractive subdivisions with many amenities that increase lot sales with a good return on our investment. We have built credibility and good rapport with our Area Plan Commission and local officials. We get our projects to the finish line on time and usually on or under budget.

Advice to students:  I would recommend taking basic accounting, finance, budgeting and business classes. These can be applied to the understanding of how government and business function and being able to better deal with opportunities that you will encounter in the real world. Construction Management wasn’t offered at the time, but reviewing the basic requirements I feel the current program is geared to knowing and understanding what it takes to be a success in a design, construction or planning career. I have found in the 50 years since graduation, you don’t have to know the answers to the current questions; but know how and where to find them. The only thing that stays the same is that everything will continue to keep changing.

 

David A. Kroll, AAIA, Architecture + Historic Preservation, ’84

Currently Principal / Director of Preservation at RATIO, Dave’s responsibilities include marketing, communicating with clients, directing projects and guiding the preservation aspects of the firm. His role involves survey and analysis of existing building conditions, materials and components, development of appropriate preservation treatments, preparation of construction documents and observation during the construction phase. Concurrent with his professional practice, Dave has had the opportunity to serve as adjunct faculty for both the Architecture and Historic Preservation programs at Ball State. In November of 1999, he was one of three recipients to be presented with the first Mid-Career Alumni Preservation Awards from the Historic Preservation program at Ball State University. Dave was recognized for his leadership in developing the federal and state historic rehabilitation tax credit programs and his advocacy of appropriate rehabilitation techniques for historic properties. Dave is a charter member and current president of the Hendricks County Preservation Alliance. He is also a member of Indiana Landmarks, the Indiana Historical Society, the National Trust for Historic Preservation, Landmarks Illinois, Preservation North Carolina, and a founding member of the Ohio Valley Chapter of Association for Preservation Technology, International.

Give 3 words that remind you of your time spent at CAP:  Mentorship, Encouragement, Collaboration

How did your time at CAP impact the work you do now? – “Build a network of resources.  You don’t have to have all the answers yourself but by surrounding yourself with other creative minds, collectively you can solve almost any situation.”

Advice to students:  “Follow your passion, but remain flexible and resilient.  This past year aside, changes will always be coming and it is easier to withstand or recover if you are doing something you really enjoy and find personal satisfaction with.”

---

Outstanding Alumni Award

Tammy Butler,  Urban and Regional Planning, ’97

Tammy Butler is a proven leader with a strong background in housing and community development, expertise in public finance and management, and a deep commitment to improving communities and the lives of women in Indiana. As a Managing Principal with Engaging Solutions, she has successfully led and managed the company’s call center business and co-managed the firm’s planning and community outreach sector. Prior to that, Tammy spent over a decade in State government as a fiscal analyst for the Indiana House of Representatives Ways and Means Committee; Assistant Director of the Indiana State Budget Agency; Director of Claims Management for the Family and Social Services Agency; and Data Director for the Office of Medicaid Policy and Planning. Tammy’s passion for improving the lives of women and families in Indiana extends beyond her corporate life. She is pastor of The House of God Church in Indianapolis, leading a congregation whose members are among the most underserved and underrepresented populations in the state. Her problem-solving skills, knowledge, and experience engaging stakeholders in the community planning process have led to the creation of multiple programs that have changed lives. Tammy has a Master of Urban and Regional Planning from Ball State University as a HUD Fellow and a Bachelor of Arts in English/Cognate in Political Science from the University of South Carolina. She is also a Certified Training Consultant by Ball State University, Muncie, IN.

Give 3 words that remind you of your time spent at CAP: Charettes, Linda, Friendship

How did your time at CAP impact the work you do now? –My time at CAP has shaped the way I see people first and most, in any planning process. It brought out my unknown creative, resulting in storytelling and data mining to foster an inclusive community. The trip to Sandtown forever changed my concept of community development and the collective power of the least of these. Additionally, my internship leading “Project Green” reminded me that minority youth have dreams and are looking for a light to lead them to “better”.

Advice to students: The late Representative William Crawford (Indianapolis, HD 98) said “if you’re not at the table, you’re on the menu”. So remember, it’s imperative, to plan with people and not for them.

 

Edward A. Gerns, LEED-AP, RA, Architecture, ’86

After accepting a job at Wiss, Janney, Elstner Associates, Inc. (WJE) in Chicago as an Architect/Engineer, Edward was promoted to Senior Architect/Engineer in 1995, Associate Principal in 2001, Principal in 2007 and Senior Principal in 2020. Since the company’s founding in 1956, there have only been 38 Senior Principals at WJE. Over the past 30 years at WJE, he worked on numerous iconic buildings that challenge him to continue learning everyday. He has thrived in the unique culture of WJE which celebrates ‘out of the box problem solving’ as well as fostering an environment which encourages everyone to not be afraid to question the status quo. Edward has worked on buildings ranging from modest single-family homes to some of the most recognizable buildings in the United States. However; for the past 20 years his focus and passion has been historic preservation.

“Beginning around 2000, my passion became the evaluation and restoration of historic structures–particularly masonry structures. Having always been fascinated by how a buildings’ materials and construction systems throughout time responds to nature and environmental forces, I found that my passion was coincidentally returning to the core of my thesis at Ball State. My thesis focused on designing a children’s museum that responded to the environmental forces enabling those “forces” to create dynamic naturally occurring “events” within the space. Historic buildings similarly were empirically designed to respond the natural forces to provide natural light, thermal comfort and ventilation to occupants, but also to protect the building’s skin.  By working throughout the country, I was able to better understand how regional climates influenced historic buildings both in terms of deterioration and in materials themselves, including ornamentation and articulation. I have been fortunate to be heavily involved in the repair and restoration of many significant historic masonry buildings throughout the country.”

Give 3 words that remind you of your time spent at CAP:  Challenging, Creativity, Appreciation

How did your time at CAP impact the work you do now? – At CAP, we were taught to be problem solvers regardless of the problem under consideration. My education at CAP enabled me to begin to develop a process for the evaluation of a problem(s) and a methodology for developing appropriate and creative solutions.

Advice to students:  Architecture can be a difficult profession requiring long hours and hard work, but it can also be incredibly rewarding. So, work hard, maintain your integrity and don’t be afraid to reach for what may appear to be unachievable. You might surprise yourself.

 

Michael Johnson, PLA, ASLA, Landscape Architecture, ’04

Michael Johnson, PLA, ASLA, is a leading multidisciplinary specialist in urban design, campus planning and landscape architecture.A co-leader of SmithGroup’s Urban Design Practice, Michael’s experience spans a wide range of markets and geographies, from top U.S. research universities to major destinations in China, Puerto Rico, Bali and Cyprus. He has led high-profile projects in cities across the U.S., including Detroit, Cleveland, Denver, Las Vegas, Indianapolis, Omaha and El Paso. Recent notable work includes projects for the City of Detroit, Ford Motor Company, University of Indiana, and Ayia Napa Marina & Resort. Michael has received recognition as a finalist for international urban design competitions in Cleveland, British Columbia and Dallas. His greatest pride comes from the national award-winning master plan for the Indiana University-Bloomington campus.

Give 3 words that remind you of your time spent at CAP:  Empowering, Exhausting,Rewarding

How did your time at CAP impact the work you do now? – My time as a student at CAP helped reframe my entire world view and approach to learning.  Most notable impacts on my current career today include: learning to question everything, make the problem bigger, ensure we were solving the right problem, and work in cross-discipline ways to solve problems.  These skills have allowed me to be flexible, nimble and adjust to the current situations better than I could have anticipated.  I am forever grateful for the foundation I was able to build while at CAP.

Advice to students:  Our cities are changing rapidly, and the current moment requires us to think differently about who is at the table and how we live, work and move around than we ever have before.  We have an incredible opportunity right now to re-imagine a “new normal”, rooted in equity, resilience and health.  We need the next generation of CAP students to be ready to apply their problem solving skills to work directly with leaders and policymakers and be at the forefront of new ideas and policies that improve our cities and quality of life.

 

Gregory L. Klosowski, AR, Architecture + Environmental Design, ’94

After earning his degree at Ball State University, Greg moved to California where he worked as a project manager at Berger Detmer Architects and Zack de Vito Architecture, San Francisco, California, and as a part-time consultant at Gray Architecture / GHA, Oakland, California. In 2001, he founded his own Oakland-based architecture and design practice, ellipsis a + d. He earned local accolades for the Michelin rated Spruce and two San Francisco Prize awards while collaborating with Veronica Hinkley Reck (IA). Continuing this collaboration, he later earned acclaim as the Architect of Record and Principal-in-Charge of the award-winning Octavia Court, San Francisco, California, a modern affordable housing complex for the developmentally disabled, partially funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Greg returned to the Midwest, joining Pappageorge Haymes Partners (PH) in 2013 and continues to work on a variety of projects such as large residential complexes, parking and retail structures, and commercial spaces.

Give 3 words that remind you of your time spent at CAP:  Camaraderie, Enlightenment, Self-realization

How did your time at CAP impact the work you do now? – To this day, I continue to hold great reverence for my time at CAP, as it was the basis for my work ethic and perseverance, my talent tempered by humility, academic discourse balanced by my sense of humor, and my appreciation for the world and the remarkable people around me.

Advice to students:  Be observant and curious about the world around you, seek truth, work passionately and exhaustively while enjoying life, fight for what you’re worth, value personal relationships, be open to using your education in unexpected ways, and strive to be ethical, compassionate, and a positive contributor to our rich, collective existence.

 

Lindsey Peckinpaugh, LEED, RELi, Architecture + Environmental Design, ’99 

It is often heard that Lindsey is the most organized and responsive architect you will ever work with. For over twenty years, she has focused her career on specialized sports and recreation planning. She is known for her community engagement expertise and focus on inclusive design. Her practice is founded on client service and building consensus among diverse project stakeholders. Lindsey has contributed her leadership skills to more than $600M in sports and recreation facility design focusing on event venues, collegiate athletics, campus and community recreation. In her current role she directs Perkins and Will’s Sports, Recreation and Entertainment (SRE) practice leading strategic planning and business development, and serving as Principal in Charge of the Chicago office’s SRE work.

Give 3 words that remind you of your time spent at CAP: Formative, Intense, Nurturing

How did your time at CAP impact the work you do now? –My time at CAP formed my DNA as a servant leader. CAP students understand the tremendous responsibility we have to design for the well-being of our environment and our communities. We are capable of making an impact and great design has the power to enhance the communities we serve.

Advice to students: Learn to listen and value the diversity of perspectives around you.  This profession requires you to be a great communicator whether that’s through your sketches, your writing, your presentation skills, but most of all practice listening and giving space to other’s voices. Our clients and our communities need that from us.

 

John E. Urbahns, AICP, Urban Planning and Development, ’95

John is a respected community leader, trusted advisor and collaborator with a broad network of relationships, strong team building skills and expertise in management and economic development.  His career has been dedicated to making our community a place that has remarkable opportunities for our next generation to prosper. As the president/CEO of Greater Fort Wayne Inc. he has been very involved in the redevelopment and development of Fort Wayne, Indiana for the last 20+ years.  John has been involved in significant community planning processes and has lead many of the major redevelopment efforts in the community. These efforts have resulted in significant investment from the public sector and more importantly more than $700M in private sector development. He provides guidance and counsel to developers and community-based projects on development finance scenarios.  Along with engaging with community organizations and public and local businesses to present community vision and build community pride. John is a founding member of the board of directors of the Fort Wayne New Markets Revitalization Fund LLC and the Fort Wayne Downtown Development Trust.

Give 3 words that remind you of your time spent at CAP: Inspirational, Challenging, Fun

How did your time at CAP impact the work you do now? – The faculty, coursework, and studios instilled not just the principles of planning and design, but challenged our thought process, dedication, and critical thinking skills.  Without my CAP education, I would not have been prepared to have a substantial impact on the growth and development of my community.

Advice to students: Urban Planning is an ever-evolving profession, and you will need to be prepared to work with people of all disciplines and in all environments.  As our communities continue to transform, you will only be limited by your drive, imagination, creativity and openness.  Be the “change agent” that your community needs!

---

Graduates of the Last Decade Award (G.O.L.D.)

Elizabeth Boone, AIA, LEED BD+C, Architecture, ’10

Elizabeth Boone is a partner at Reynolds Ash & Associates in  Durango, Colorado and brings experience from a wide variety of project types including residential, hospitality, health clubs, commercial, retail, and mixed use high rise buildings. Elizabeth is a design architect involved in a range of the firm’s projects. Elizabeth is a licensed Architect with over 10 years experience in all facets of building design. Her most recent projects include the design and documentation of a 2,000,000 GSF, mixed use tower in Journal Square, NJ, and a 1,000,000 GSF 70 story tower in Hudson Yards on Manhattan’s West Side.

Give 3 words that remind you of your time spent at CAP: Innovative, Collaborative, Transformative

How did your time at CAP impact the work you do now? – CAP has been influential in launching me into my current career. The connections I fostered during my studies became an avenue to employment after graduation. In that role, I had the foundation to participate in a high level of complex design and computation, ultimately growing into a leadership position and joining the partnership that I am part of today.

Advice to students:

1. Work hard, it pays off
2. Speak up and participate, and get noticed
3. Have passion for your work, love what you do
4. Surround yourself with more talented individuals, find a mentor
5. Set goals
6. Always think conceptually
7. Express confidence, but also be critical of your own work
8. Stay inspired through travel and maintenance of a heathy lifestyle
9. Nurture personal connections
10. Efficiency = truth = beauty

 

Jake Dietrich, Urban Planning and Development, ’12

 

Daniel L. Liggett, PLA, LEED AP, ASLA, Urban Design + Landscape Architecture, ’11

Dan is an Associate at Rundell Ernstberger Associates (REA), his career is grounded in personal and professional excellence. Within REA’s team of LA’s, Dan has become a leader and a mentor to others. Dan’s multiple skills are central to REA’s success and diverse in their application. They regularly include facilitating client relations, overall project management, and technical direction on our most challenging commissions. Most recently, Dan managed the design, construction documentation, and construction observation for Lugar Plaza, winner of the 2019 Monumental Award in the City of Indianapolis. Simultaneously, he prepared BSU’s new bicycle Master Plan, a document destined to positively transform bike/ped circulation throughout the campus. In all manner, Dan’s contributions within the professional office setting are exemplary.

Give 3 words that remind you of your time spent at CAP: Family, Rewarding, Inventive

How did your time at CAP impact the work you do now? – CAP has let me see the world differently.  It offered me the opportunity to design places which will serve to hold memories and improve lives.

Advice to students: Learn to work together and collaborate.  Learn from your colleagues and other consultants in the field.  Nothing you do in future practice will be done on your own.

 

Emily McGowan, Assoc. AIA, LEED GA, Fine Arts, Visual Communications + Bachelor of Science in Architecture, ’11

 

Lauren Petersen, Urban Planning and Development, ’11

As the senior director of relationship management for TechPoint, Lauren Petersen is driven by her team’s mission to build a renowned ecosystem growth accelerator that makes Central Indiana the top tech hub in the Midwest and top in the nation among mid-sized cities. Lauren graduated summa cum laude from Ball State University where she was named the American Institute of Certified Planners Outstanding Student and the John R. Emens Outstanding Senior Scholar of her graduating class. Upon graduation, she received a Fulbright Scholarship to serve as a cultural ambassador teaching at a university in Poland. Lauren was recently named Ball State University’s 2018 Graduate of the Last Decade award winner.

Lauren has been recognized as a: 2013 IMPACT Award recipient, 2013 Indiana Emerging Leader, 2017 Make-A-Wish -Women Inspiring Strength and Hope Honoree, 2017 Junior Achievement of Central Indiana -Best & Brightest Finalist, 2017 inaugural Mitch Daniels Leadership Foundation Fellow and was appointed to participate in the Stanley K. Lacy Executive Leadership Series Class XLIII in 2018. Most recently, Lauren was recognized as a 2019 ELEVATE Award Winner for Board Member of the Year through the United Way of Central Indiana. She is a board member for Partners in Housing and the Indiana Repertory Theater, Ball State University’s Discovery Fund, and the alumni board of the Department of Urban Planning at Ball State.

Give 3 words that remind you of your time spent at CAP: Enlightening, Inspiring, Fun

How did your time at CAP impact the work you do now? – As VP, Stakeholder Engagement for TechPoint, I am driven by my team’s purposeful mission to promote and accelerate the growth of Indiana’s tech community, create a respected and beloved local brand and become a model for innovative economic development nationally. My time at the College of Architecture and Planning has instilled in me a commitment to create a strong and thriving tech landscape through a dual lense of placemaking and community engagement.

Advice to students: My personal philosophy regarding community service is “everybody, everywhere matters.” This philosophy begins with my long held desire to be a responsible global citizen, driven by an unquenchable curiosity that leads me on my pursuit to comprehend my relationship with the world. The CAP Urban Planning & Development family instilled this mantra of global citizenship so I would encourage current students to embrace this same approach to their course and studio work as well as to their professional aspirations.

 

Follow Us

        
@ballstateCAP

---

About the Alumni Awards

Through the CAP alumni awards program, the Executive Advisory Board and the College seek to recognize alumni who demonstrate outstanding professional success or achievement in their field of endeavor. Read more about our alumni awards and see previous winners…More

 

Get Involved

Whether you’re a recent graduate or a seasoned professional, your experience and expertise is valuable to our students as they prepare to become tomorrow’s designers, planners, and preservationists. We offer a variety of opportunities for you. Read More.