Special exhibits, an art auction, classes taught by longtime professors,
a necktie parade and a Texas-style barbecue, are all part of the
College of Architecture’s April 2 Former Student Open House — a
very special event kicking off a yearlong Centennial Celebration
honoring 100 years of architectural education at Texas A&M
University.
“On Sept. 1, 1905, Texas’ first formal architectural education program
was established at what was then the Agricultural Mechanical College of Texas,” said
Tom Regan, dean of the College of Architecture. “In the ensuing century,
Aggie architects, landscape architects, urban planners, land developers, constructors
and visual designers have left an indelible mark on the world’s built and
virtual environments. The April 2 Former Student Open House,” he continued, “will
be the first for many public Centennial Celebration events scheduled throughout
the year to honor the myriad achievements of the College of Architecture’s
former students and faculty.”
The open house begins at 9 a.m. Saturday, April 2 at the Langford
Architecture Center on the Texas A&M campus. A $15 registration
fee covers all open house events and a barbecue lunch. Registration
forms are available online at: < http://archone.tamu.edu/college/centennial/ >.
“The open house will give former students an opportunity to get reacquainted
with their classmates and professors, tour the college, and learn about the many
marvelous developments that have ensued since their graduation,” Regan
said. “As a special treat, many of the college’s longtime professors
have agreed to lead short classes and studios especially tailored for former
students.”
The open house includes a special presentation by the Department of Architecture’s
Visualization Laboratory and exhibits of student work including an interactive
digital labyrinth, architectural documentations by the Historic Resources Imaging
Laboratory, and a photo and model exhibit featuring the Cambodian Land Mine Museum
project in Siem Reap, Cambodia.
Many former students will likely recall the significance of the necktie, which
at one time in the college’s history was required dress for students making
final presentations of their studio work. To commemorate this link to the past,
the college has distributed 100 white neckties to former students who have transformed
the ties into unique design statements. A tie parade featuring the fanciful and
sometimes humorous results of this project will highlight the open house event.
Additionally, more than 20 works of art donated by College of Architecture faculty
and students and nationally recognized artists and architects will be auctioned
in live and silent auctions during the open house. Proceeds from the auction
will benefit the student architecture lecture series and the Brazos Valley Arts
Center.
Coinciding with the open house is the biennial College of Architecture faculty
art exhibit at J. Wayne Stark Galleries in Texas A&M’s Memorial Student
Center.
“We have planned the Former Student Open House to be fun and informative,
and to kindle a sustained interest in the college’s yearlong Centennial
Celebration,” said Regan. “In the coming year, as we pay tribute
to those who’ve made us one of the preeminent design, planning and construction
schools in the world, we will also look to the future, examining the role Aggies
are yet to play in developing a sustainable, livable and aesthetically pleasing
tomorrow.”
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