In recognition of a lifetime of distinguished leadership and dedication in architecture, Ronald L. Skaggs ’65, a Texas A&M University College of Architecture Outstanding Alumnus, received the 2007 Medal for Lifetime Achievement in Honor of Llewellyn Pitts, FAIA from the Texas Society of Architects.
Skaggs, chairman of HKS Inc. and a fellow in the American Institute of Architects, was honored October 2007 by TSA.
“His engagement, example, encouragement, and mentorship of countless young professionals, reaching well beyond the boundaries and interest of his firm, could be where his greatest legacy and contributions thrive,” wrote Ken L. Ross, Jr., FAIA, in a letter recommending Skaggs for the award. “Ronald Skaggs has done more than support emerging professionals; he has recruited, nurtured, and motivated the current and future leaders of our profession.”
In another letter of recommendation for Skaggs, Bryce A. Weigand, FAIA, wrote that “Ronald Skaggs’ long listing of accomplishments could fill several lifetimes. We are fortunate that his lifetime has intersected with our own.”
Llewellyn Pitts, for whom the award is named, served as TSA president in 1961 and was an influential and dedicated American Institute of Architects leader.
Skaggs served as president of the American Institute of Architects in 2000. He currently sits on the TSA Board of Directors representing the Texas Architectural Foundation. He has served on other countless boards and committees throughout his career including the Academy of Architecture for Health, American College of Healthcare Architects, National Architecture Accrediting Board, National Institute of Building Sciences, Construction Industry Round Table, Forum for Health Care Planning, Health Facilities Institute, and the American Institute of Architectural Students.
The many honors he has received include the Distinguished Alumnus Award from Texas A&M University. His architectural work has been recognized in numerous TSA design awards and his firm, HKS, was recognized in 2002 with the TSA Firm Award.
Skaggs earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in architecture from Texas A&M University and a diploma in health-care administration from the U.S. Army/Baylor University Academy of Health Sciences.
He served as a first lieutenant, and later as a captain, in the U.S. Army Medical Service Corps and also worked as a project officer for the U.S. Army Office of the Surgeon General Health Facilities Planning Agency in Washington, D.C. Skaggs made his way back to Texas in 1970 to work as an architect with CRS Design Associates in Houston.
In 1973 he joined HKS, now a 900-person firm based in Dallas with offices in 11 U.S. cities. Skaggs currently serves as the firm’s chairman.
OTHER TSA AWARDS TO ALUMNI:
Gideon Toal, Inc. of Fort Worth was named the recipient of the TSA Architecture Firm award. James Toal ’69, is a founding principal of Gideon Toal; he oversees planning and economic development efforts and serves as principal-in-charge on selected interdisciplinary projects. With over 30 years of experience in both the public and private sector, Toal specializes in providing strategic planning and implementation for development, redevelopment, and planning projects involving multiple agencies and jurisdictions.
Laurie Limbacher ’77 was recognized with the TSA Award for Community Service in honor of James D. Pfluger, FAIA. She founded Limbacher and Godfrey Architects with her husband, Alfred Godfrey, in 1995. Their firm has completed new construction, renovation, remodeling, restoration and master planning projects for a wide range of clients in Central and South Texas. The firm’s client base includes educational, institutional, governmental, commercial and private entities.
Limbacher and Godfrey Architects has been working on the restoration of the Deep Eddy Bathhouse, the first Works Progress Administration-sponsored project in Austin, as well as a new library building in Austin that serves five North Austin neighborhoods. The firm recently completed work on the Juniper Street and Olive Street Historic District Master Plan, which analyzed the historic patterns of development and recommended preservation treatments for some of the oldest African-American housing stock remaining in the Austin for the Austin Revitalization Authority.
David “Jaime” Crawley ’96, who graduated from the College of Architecture with a Bachelor of Environmental Design and a Master of Architecture, was named the TSA Associate Member of the Year. As an organizing member of the Gus Garcia Park Ideas Competition in Austin, his efforts led to the statewide park ideas competition for young professionals, ranging from undergraduate students to recently licensed professionals. The award recognizes an associate member’s leadership and demonstrated commitment to their AIA component. Crawley is with TAG International LLP in Austin.
