Marga Rose Hancock Diversity Scholarship

AIA Seattle’s Diversity Roundtable established this fund to advance professional diversity through support of students from disadvantaged and under-represented backgrounds at the University of Washington College of Built Environments.

The fund was established in 1986, and in 2004, AIA Seattle’s Diversity Roundtable completed a campaign to endow the fund, administered by the University of Washington. In 2006, AIA National matching funds added value to the programs and augmented support to the recipients selected by the University of Washington College of Built Environments. The Diversity Roundtable Committee congratulates and welcomes the scholarship recipient at University of Washington College of Built Environments’ annual Recognition Day, and at the annual Summer Solstice event.

Beginning in 1986, a group of architects of color began a regular assembly, usually over breakfast at Lowell’s in the Market at a round table with a view of Puget Sound, to share their experiences and observations on the lack of diversity in the architecture profession. The group, often referred to as the Diversity Roundtable, originally convened when Marga Rose Hancock, AIA Seattle EVP/CEO 1985-2006, sought guidance for the AIA Seattle leadership in understanding and addressing special challenges in architecture faced by individuals from diverse gender, ethnic, and economic backgrounds. This group has made ongoing contributions to AIA Seattle leadership, with numerous Roundtable alumni/ae serving on the AIA Seattle Board and as officers. The Roundtable’s efforts through AIA Seattle programming include the annual Summer Solstice event advancing community service and fund-raising goals, bringing youth from minority and disadvantaged backgrounds into the profession through K-12 activism, and providing scholarship and other support for students at UW CBE. In 2004, the Roundtable succeeded in its campaign to establish the AIA Seattle Student Support Fund for Diversity at the University of Washington, College of Built Environments. In 2007, the past Presidents of AIA Seattle completed the endowment of the scholarship in the name of Marga Rose Hancock Hon. AIA, recognizing her sustained and sustaining effort to support professional diversity in architecture: in the words of an AIA Presidential Citation presented to Marga, citing her “commitment to a diverse profession distinguished by the joyous fellowship of mutual respect.”

Eligibility

A University of Washington student who is enrolled in the University of Washington College of Built Environments program and can demonstrate economic need based on minority/disadvantaged background.

Criteria

A University of Washington faculty committee reviews applications and selects a qualifying student to receive scholarship support.

Marga Rose Hancock Diversity Scholarship Recipients