Architecture Fraternity Granted Chapter Status
For release: Oct. 30, 2002
For press information, contact Gabrielle Maxey

The Grand Council of Alpha Rho Chi national architecture fraternity has granted full membership status as an active chapter to the Imhotep Colony at The University of Memphis.

Founded in 1914, the fraternity is best known for the Alpha Rho Chi Bronze Medal awarded to the top graduating students in architecture schools throughout the country. Alpha Rho Chi also confers the Master Architect Award. Only seven architects have received the prestigious award; among them are Eliel Saarinen, Buckminster Fuller and I.M. Pei.

The approval of chapter status for the U of M colony was the result of a series of tests, including review of the architecture program, its faculty, curriculum and facilities. The Imhotep Chapter is the only one in the nation not affiliated with a professional architecture program accredited by the National Architecture Accrediting Board. (The NAAB accredits only five-year architecture programs; because the U of M program is a four-year program, it is not eligible for accreditation.)

"That we have been able to achieve chapter status is a great honor for the architecture program, the department and the college," said faculty advisor Michael Hagge.

Duke Walker is chapter president. Members include Allison Edwards, Ario Hooshmand, Tommy Solomon, Josie Amaya, Lauren Jackson, Minh Nguyen, Jason Page, Sanjay Patel, Rose Pereira, Zach Smith, Agnessa Todorova-Dowell, Chris Shanklin and Nick Pirani.

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