Well, it finally happened. I received an "F" (as in "FAIA") at this year's AIA convention in Washington, DC.
In all seriousness, getting invested as a Fellow of the Institute was a moving and humbling experience. Fellowship recognizes "notable contributions to the advancement of the profession of Architecture".
The investiture ceremony took place on a sunny late-spring afternoon at the National Cathedral, a majestic setting. The new Fellows (105 of us) were all clad in black robes. The past presidents (clad in a regal purple) marched us up to receive our medals, get our pictures taken and briefly glow in the center of attention.
What was really great about the ceremony was hearing the diverse, interesting and exciting accomplishments of the other 104 "newbies". A new Fellow, who has a regionally-based practice in New Mexico, told me that to him Fellowship recognized "35 years of trying to do the right thing day in and day out". Another, not-so-new, Fellow told me "now the real work starts, we expect great things from you". In other words, don't screw up!
Of course aside from the being reminded about the responsibility of it all, we managed (due to some strong help from friends, family, a couple of my partners and their spouses) to properly party down for the entire three days.
A final thought about the whole experience: as someone once told me at a Grateful Dead concert many years ago, "it's the journey, man, not the destination". The process of applying, articulating one's "thesis", working through the various drafts, receiving lots and lots of help and support, getting rejected a couple of times, reworking a couple of times and so forth was a very gratifying and educational experience. I highly recommend it.
In all seriousness, getting invested as a Fellow of the Institute was a moving and humbling experience. Fellowship recognizes "notable contributions to the advancement of the profession of Architecture".
The investiture ceremony took place on a sunny late-spring afternoon at the National Cathedral, a majestic setting. The new Fellows (105 of us) were all clad in black robes. The past presidents (clad in a regal purple) marched us up to receive our medals, get our pictures taken and briefly glow in the center of attention.
What was really great about the ceremony was hearing the diverse, interesting and exciting accomplishments of the other 104 "newbies". A new Fellow, who has a regionally-based practice in New Mexico, told me that to him Fellowship recognized "35 years of trying to do the right thing day in and day out". Another, not-so-new, Fellow told me "now the real work starts, we expect great things from you". In other words, don't screw up!
Of course aside from the being reminded about the responsibility of it all, we managed (due to some strong help from friends, family, a couple of my partners and their spouses) to properly party down for the entire three days.
A final thought about the whole experience: as someone once told me at a Grateful Dead concert many years ago, "it's the journey, man, not the destination". The process of applying, articulating one's "thesis", working through the various drafts, receiving lots and lots of help and support, getting rejected a couple of times, reworking a couple of times and so forth was a very gratifying and educational experience. I highly recommend it.