In a letter to his faculty, Dean and Professor Roger Schluntz, FAIA, announced his intention to resign as dean of UNM’s School of Architecture and Planning on June 30, 2010. During his past 10 years as dean, Schluntz said he has witnessed “a number of truly remarkable accomplishments as well as many critical incremental transformations” at the School.
Photo: School of Architecture Dean and Professor Roger Schluntz.
Speaking of his dedicated faculty and staff, Schluntz commented, “Working together, I think we all deserve to share a sense of tremendous pride in what we have achieved in moving this School toward national prominence.”
“Roger has shown extraordinary vision and leadership during his years as architecture dean,” said Suzanne Ortega, provost and executive vice president for academic affairs. “It is UNM’s great fortune that he will continue to contribute as a senior faculty member as well as assist with campus planning issues and new facility design for the University.”
Ortega said a national search will begin this fall and intends for a new dean to be hired when Schluntz steps down.
The funding, design and construction of George Pearl Hall, the new home of the School prominently located at Cornell Mall and Central Avenue, is undoubtedly the most visible accomplishment of Schluntz’ tenure as dean. The School also initiated the professional degree program in Landscape Architecture, now fully accredited and highly respected.
In addition, two new interdisciplinary graduate certificate programs, Historic Preservation & Regionalism and Town Design are fully operational. As dean Schluntz also provides leadership for the fully accredited, graduate professional degree programs in both Architecture and Community & Regional Planning.
Through the School’s multi-faceted service learning and community outreach programs, Schluntz also notes with pride the vital role it contributes toward critical design and planning issues confronting many of New Mexico communities
Currently Schluntz chairs the University’s Design Review Board and was instrumental in the preliminary planning phases for UNM West and the update of the Master Development Plan for the main campus.
Schluntz holds a Master of Architecture degree from the University of California, Berkeley and a Bachelor of Architecture degree from the University of Nebraska, Lincoln. Prior to his UNM appointment he served as dean of the School of Architecture at the University of Miami (Florida), and director of the School of Architecture at Arizona State University, where he also established the ASU/City of Phoenix Joint Urban Design Program.
Schluntz recently completed a three-year appointed term with the National Architecture Accreditation Board. He has served as the Professional Adviser for over 25 national design competitions for major civic and university buildings throughout the United States.
He serves as an appointed member of the National Register of Peer Professionals for the US-General Services Administration in its building and construction program. Recognizing his contributions in architectural education and achievements toward enhancing the quality of design of public buildings, in 1996 Schluntz was elevated to the AIA College of Fellows.
Media Contact: Carolyn Gonzales, (505) 277-5920; e-mail: cgonzal@unm.edu
Posted by scarr at August 20, 2009 04:36 PM