The Estopinal College of Architecture and Planning Executive Advisory Board annually recognizes alumni who demonstrate outstanding professional success or achievement in their field of endeavor. We are pleased to announce the 2025 winners.

DISTINGUISHED ALUMNI AWARD WINNERS

Peter Fritz, FAICP, PLA
Bachelor of Landscape Architecture, ’84
Healthy Communities Planner, Indiana State Department of Health
Pete Fritz veered off the traditional career path for landscape architecture early in his career, first blending his landscape architecture background with planning, and later being on the forefront of a new movement embracing public health to improve the vibrancy and wellbeing of communities. Pete has not only been successful with his work as the Healthy Communities Planner for the State of Indiana but was also a pioneer of this emerging practice at the national level. He also serves on a Transportation Research Board review panel, for the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine researching the institutionalization of active transportation initiatives.

Debra Kunce, FAIA, AIA
Bachelor of Architecture, ’93
Senior Vice President, JS Held, LLC
Debra Kunce is a trailblazing non-traditional Architect, AIA leader, and cultivator of emerging professionals. Debra is a supporter for emerging professionals and was the first one elected as the Regional Director to the AIA National Board. She was instrumental in securing emerging professionals’ representation on boards and committees at all levels of the AIA.  She also mentors 6 young females in the design industry and actively hires interns.

Jason Larrison, AIA
Bachelor of Architecture, ’00
Vice President, J S Held
As the architect for the Soldiers and Sailors Monument, the War Memorial and its connected parks, and the Indiana Statehouse and grounds, Jason engaged with the public while collaborating with top local and state decision-makers. These experiences allowed Jason to pioneer a professional path rarely taken by architects. He was elected to the City-County Council, a role rarely held by an architect. As an elected official, he promoted quality of life and sustainability initiative, worked to reduce bureaucracy and improve communications between architects and state government, and established policies that allowed placemaking to flourish.

 

OUTSTANDING ALUMNI AWARD WINNERS

Jan Behounek, AIA
Bachelor of Architecture, ’96
Vice President and Principal, Director of Higher Education, FGMArchitects
Early in Jan’s career her focus was management and operations and over the years has broadened to thought leadership, firm management, and leadership roles. Her true passions lie in people and process—whether overseeing operations at FGM Architects, serving as President of the Chicago Building Congress, mentoring and advocating for women in the field, or promoting neurodiversity awareness. Through each experience, she has shaped culture and created environments with lasting impact.

Ron Dick, AIA
Bachelor of Architecture, ’82
Registered Architect, Partner, Co-founder, Design Collaborative
Ron Dick is a community leader award-winning designer, empathetic mentor, and entrepreneur. Ron has made a lasting impact as a cofounder of Design Collaborative (DC). He has led transformational projects for nonprofits like the Fort Wayne Rescue Mission, Turnstone, and Artlink, as well as health care, education, and civic developments in 14 states.

Michael Egan, AIA, AFRAA
Bachelor of Architecture, ’82
Principle -Faith Based Leader, Browning Day
As an Architect and Liturgical Consultant, Michael has worked in alignment with his professional mission, to lead ecclesiastical communities to achieve their vision, to create meaningful environments, and to create spaces that inspire worship, fellowship, and education while simultaneously offering guidance and counsel to the religious leaders to pursue noble and appropriate aspirations. He has been recognized through multiple design and service awards, affirming the quality of his renovations and designs of ecclesiastical structures.

Erin Jennings, IIDA, AIAI, NCIDQ, NCARB
Bachelor of Architecture and Interior Design, ’06
National Market Leader – Architect, Registered Interior Designer, Luminat
Erin developed a strong passion for directly influencing positive human behavior and enhancing the learning experience, shaping her nearly 20-year career dedicated to education and public library environments. She gained experience in advocacy and industry impact through leadership roles with IIDA Indiana, AIA National, and the Council for Interior Design Qualification (CIDQ). Her deep-rooted passion is mentoring young professionals, and teaching students in the collegiate setting. One of her objectives is to bridge the disciplines of architecture and interior design,  to advocate the value-add when the two work in harmony with one another.

Pamela Lamaster-Millett, AIA, NCARB
Bachelor of Architecture, ’98
Principal, Searl Lamaster Howe
Pam’s work strikes a balance between creative vision and practical exploration, focusing on craftsmanship over trends. With years of experience, she has designed and managed a diverse range of architectural and interior projects, from residences to schools, group homes, offices, showrooms, restaurants, and government buildings. Committed to improving office practices, she also completed the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses program.

Evan Menk, LEED AP
Bachelor of Architecture, ’96
Director of Design and Principal, Legat Architects
After college, Evan focused on the technical aspects of architecture, immersing himself in understanding how buildings and materials come together, realizing true expertise lies in mastering construction and detailing. His deep technical knowledge became the foundation for his design growth, allowing him to rigorously craft and detail multiple award-winning projects. Today, as part of the leadership team, he embraces the opportunity to shape not just buildings, but the firm itself—creating a people-centric culture of teaching, learning, curiosity, and rigor. Committed to supporting colleagues, clients, and the planet.

Doug Sheets, AIA
Bachelor of Architecture, ’01
Principal, Lever Architecture
Doug has led the design of a majority of LEVER’s projects, including significant projects in Southern California for Disney Animation and NBC Universal Studios as well as affordable housing and institutional work in Portland. Promoted to Principal in 2020, he has been part of the leadership of the firm that has grown from two to over thirty architects working across the United States.  He has worked with clients of various sizes to help envision their new work environments and how they interface with the public such as the Nature Conservancy and Artists Repertory Theatre, Meyer Memorial Trust, and the Albina Library and Jefferson High School.

Kevin Shelley, AIA, LEED AP
Bachelor of Architecture, ’90
Chief Operations Officer, Principal, Schmidt Associates
With over 35 years at Schmidt Associates, Kevin has contributed to more than 800 projects, shaping environments that inspire learning and connection—from preschools to major school transformations like Plainfield Community Schools. His work includes reimagining five residence halls at Ball State University, creating vibrant living-learning communities. Driven by the belief that architecture has the power to transform, he is dedicated to designing spaces that leave a lasting impact on individuals and communities alike.

 

G.O.L.D AWARD WINNERS (Graduate of the Last Decade)

Jeb Reece
Bachelor of Urban Planning, ’20
Associate Director ,  Landbanking & Strategic Planning, Intend Indiana
Jeb has devoted his professional career to preserving and creating homeownership while improving quality of life in Indiana communities. Graduating during the height of the COVID-19, Jeb quickly began navigating a tumultuous economic and political environment. Leveraging his background in urban planning, he applied his knowledge in real estate and planning to meaningfully lead and implement neighborhood revitalization strategies. Among many projects, Jeb managed a 20-unit owner-occupied repair-program and the implementation of a tactical urbanism project in Richmond, Indiana. His grant writing and real estate development has raised over $30million in state, federal, local, and philanthropic funds for affordable housing development and financing.

Kevin Sweetland, AIA, INASLA
Master of Urban Design, ’16
Associate / Urban Designer, Rundell Ernstberger Associates, Inc.
From the start of Kevin’s career, he has honed expertise in urban design, transportation planning, and visual communication. At REA, he has grown professionally under the mentorship of Kevin Osburn and contributed to the firm’s award-winning projects. He joined Osburn in opposing a major interstate expansion threatening historic Indianapolis neighborhoods, leading to the formation of the Rethink Coalition. As its primary urban design advisor, he has helped shape a more city-focused approach to urban interstate design.

 

CHARLES M. SAPPENFIELD AWARD OF EXCELLENCE

Lohren Deeg, ARCH ’04
Associate Professor of Urban Planning
Beyond the studio or classroom, the opportunity for field study has been at the core of Lohren Deeg’s teaching experience, leading local interpretive walks and bicycle tours in Muncie Indiana, and participating in over 60 community and immersive neighborhood design charrettes. He believes that teaching is a two-way exchange, learning as much from his students as he imparts to them. His approach centers on balancing values and skills with consistency, care, and a student-first mindset—much like the transformative power of heat and pressure. This philosophy is not only the foundation of his teaching but also a core part of who he is. He looks forward to continuing this journey of teaching and learning for years to come.

Chris Palladino, UP ’95
Assistant Director for Capital Planning and Real Estate Management
Before joining Ball State in 2009, Chris spent 15 years as a private real estate developer. At Ball State, he has led master planning, facilities planning, and real estate initiatives while also restructuring the real estate development minor and certificate programs to enhance accessibility and real-world relevance. His latest endeavor is directing the public-private revitalization of The Village, a transformative project that will bring nearly $200 million in new investment across five sites. He has led students in the NAIOP University Challenge in Indianapolis, a commercial real estate trade organization.