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The University of New Mexico

NEWS RELEASE



Media Contact: Laurie Mellas, 277-5915

July 20, 2007

Dekker/Perich/Sabatini Endows the Arthur W. Dekker Memorial Lecture at the UNM School of Architecture & Planning

The University of New Mexico Foundation is establishing the Arthur W. Dekker Memorial Lecture at the School of Architecture & Planning. The endowment is funded with a generous $40,000 gift from Dekker/Perich/Sabatini, New Mexico’s largest architecture firm, along with more than $5,000 in memorial gifts from friends, family and colleagues of the late Mr. Dekker.

The Arthur W. Dekker Memorial Lecture, to be presented each year, will be open to the public. In honor of Dekker’s long career as an architectural engineer, the invited speaker will typically have expertise in either the design of places of worship or nationally recognized architectural work that embodies a structural emphasis.

“This endowed lecture, gifted by Dekker/Perich/Sabatini (D/P/S), is made to recognize and honor the legacy of Arthur W. Dekker. Art was one who appreciated the value and grace of building and structure melded seamlessly together to provide a beautiful setting for those who even today use the churches and other buildings he designed. He was also someone who took the time to explain and teach young people who came into the profession so recognizing him in this manner simply made sense,” said Steve Perich and Bill Sabatini, senior principals and partners of Art’s oldest son, Dale Dekker at D/P/S.

Prof. Roger Schluntz, dean of the UNM School of Architecture & Planning, added, “We are very grateful that Art’s successor firm, his family, and friends wanted to honor his work and his memory in this splendid fashion. The endowment will allow us to bring nationally recognized leaders in the design field to the UNM campus to lecture and work with the students and faculty, thus enhancing our important mission.”

The professional degree programs in Architecture, Community & Regional Planning, and Landscape Architecture are offered in New Mexico only at the UNM School of Architecture and Planning.

For additional information, contact Jan Bandrofchak, (505) 277-6442

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