Meet the 2026 Honors Committee

Posted on by cguske

The honors program recognizes the best efforts of Virginians who, by profession or avocation, have made creating, preserving, and enhancing Virginia’s communities an important life commitment.

The call for nominations opens April 15, 2026. The submission deadline is June 12, 2026.

President Hopkins appointed the following members to the Honors Committee for a two-year term expiring Dec. 2027:

Bruce Wardell, FAIA

Lauren Shirley, AIA
April Drake, AIA
Mark Humbertson, AIA 
Harry Falconer, FAIA
Mitch Rowland, AIA

They join those currently serving with terms expiring Dec 2026:

Bruce Wardell, FAIA (appointed as CHAIR)
Mel Price, FAIA
Andrew McKinley, AIA
Rebecca Brady, AIA
Katie Honbarrier, AIA
David Prevette, AIA
Susan Pryor, AIA
Jessie Gemmer, AIA
Paul R Battaglia, AIA serves as liaison

Members of the Honors Committee may not be used as a reference or advisor on any award or be solicited by the candidate or the candidate’s advisor.

Amt, Ford, Price, and Wardell Elevated to Fellowship

Posted on by cguske

The American Institute of Architects (AIA) is elevating four AIA members from AIA Virginia to its prestigious College of Fellows, AIA’s highest membership honor for their exceptional work and contributions to architecture and society. The 2024 Jury of Fellows is elevating 96 members this year to the College of Fellows.

The fellowship program was developed to elevate those architects who have achieved a standard of excellence in the profession and made a significant contribution to architecture and society on a national level.

As many of you know, the College of Fellows is AIA’s highest membership honor, with only 3% of members achieving this distinction. The bar is justifiably high, and the jury deliberates for days on the hundreds of applicants. If you’re new to AIA or interested in understanding the process better, you can learn more about the nomination and criteria, which includes fellowship objects, here.

The newly elevated fellows from AIA Virginia are:

  • Michelle Amt, FAIA of VMDO Architects (Central Virginia)
  • Edward Ford, FAIA of Edward R. Ford Architect-Author (Central Virginia)
  • Mel Price, FAIA of Work Program Architects (Hampton Roads)
  • Bruce Wardell, FAIA of brwarchitects, p.c. (Central Virginia)

New fellows will be honored at the AIA Virginia Fellows Fête, March 16, 2024 at Barboursville Vineyards.

New fellows will be honored at the AIA Awards Gala, June 7, 2024, at the National Building Museum in Washington D.C. Learn more about fellowship on AIA’s website.