Alumni
Alumni Events 2008 - 2009
The Distinguished Alumni in Practice Awards
Record Alumni Attendance at 2009 Commencement
Leo McCormack '70, AIA, Receives 2009 Distinguished Alumni in Service Award
The Class of 1984 Celebrates Its 25th Reunion
2009 Graduates Welcomed in Style
Cascieri Lectureship in the Humanities
Selfless Labor Award
Build Boston Festivities
Honorary Alumni Class of '08
The Distinguished Alumni in Practice Awards
The BAC Alumni Association recognizes the contributions that alumni have made to the design community. Alumni who receive the Distinguished Alumni in Practice Award are considered to be a beacon to the greater community and represent the best talent that the BAC has nourished and cultivated. The awards were presented by David Silverman ’94 at the Alumni Reception at Build Boston on November 18, 2009, with a distinguished gathering of alumni, members of the BAC Board of Trustees and Overseers, faculty, students, friends of the BAC, and staff present. 
Corky Binggeli ’08 is an interior designer, a professional member of ASID, and a former president of ASID New England. She passed the NCIDQ exam in 1992, and received a Master of Interior Design degree from the BAC in 2008. Since 1991, Corky has been a sole practitioner with her own firm, Corky Binggeli Interior Design, specializing in the design of restaurants, as well as fitness clubs, and interiors for college classrooms, administration, student and research facilities. Many of Corky’s projects have involved collaborations with architects and engineers. Along with her successful practice designing popular restaurants including the Iguana Café, Zaftigs and The Tuscan Grille, Corky has authored several very important works on Interior Design including Interior Design Illustrated; Materials for Interior Environments; Building Systems for Interior Designers; Interior Design —A Survey, and Graphic Standards Field Guide to Commercial Interiors. BAC Trustee Felice Silverman ’92 IIDA states, “Corky’s contributions to practice and education have been significant as her publications have become industry wide resources.” 
Stephen E. Tise, was honored by the Alumni Board “for his distinguished work in the field of Architecture, as nominated and voted by his alumni peers.” He is widely considered to be one of the leading experts in the field of public and affordable housing in his three decades of architectural practice. Stephen has pioneered planning and design strategies that have become a paradigm for improving the lives of countless Americans living in untenable conditions. Under the auspices of HUD’s HOPE VI program, Stephen traveled extensively around the country — planning, designing and implementing the construction and accompanying social service programs that typified the pioneering effort to treat America’s most distressed communities. Stephen is a Harvard University Loeb Fellow and holds architectural registrations in a number of states. He is a member of the Boston Society of Architects, the Congress on New Urbanism, the National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials and the U.S. Green Building Council.
Stephen is considered one of the most influential public sector architects in the country. In awarding the BAC Distinguished Alumni Award, Alumni Board Chair David Silverman commented, “It’s very gratifying for us to honor Steve, especially for his work in poor and underserved communities that are often eschewed by other mainstream, successful architects.” Maintains an office in Newton, Massachusetts. He has four children, one of whom, Stephen Tise, Jr., graduated from the BAC in 1990 and currently works with his father at Tise Design Associates, Inc.
Record Alumni Attendance at 2009 Commencement
The BAC alumni were well represented with over 40 in attendance, robed and hooded. Since alumni serve the BAC in many varied capacities, as members of governance, faculty, committees and boards, Commencement is a great opportunity for alumni to collectively join in the celebration of our newest graduates. Each year we encourage alumni to participate, and increasingly, we are seeing more and more alums on campus in May. Alumni, we hope to see you next year!
Leo McCormack '70, AIA, Receives 2009 Distinguished Alumni in Service Award
Alumni Association President David Silverman, ’94 presented Leo with a plaque to commemorate his over forty years of service to the BAC as a dedicated volunteer, faculty and governance member, citing as he presented to Leo, “your service sets a standard of excellence and devotion by which volunteerism is measured at the BAC.” For decades, the BAC community has greatly benefited from Leo’s commitment and continued service, performed in a noble, unassuming manner. We are grateful to count Leo amongst our most valued BAC alumni.
The Class of 1984 Celebrates Its 25th
Members from the classes of the 80’s, friends, and colleagues helped the Class of ’84 celebrate an important milestone, the commemoration of their 25th reunion. The event took place in the Library and was held in conjunction with the BAC’s 120th Commencement exercises on May 30th. 
Holly Cratsley, ’84 was the mastermind behind the get-together, and was delighted with the turnout. The BAC kinship was in full force as old friends reconnected and shared their BAC stories of struggles and triumphs. Holly commented to the group, “As alumni, we are the finest example of what a BAC education produces.” Indeed, BAC alumni are the product of a very unique education model, based in professional practice and rooted in the spirit of lifelong learning. Holly also added that as the first of the reunion gatherings, she hopes the ’84 reunion inspires other alumni to participate in organized events on campus.
2009 Graduates Welcomed in Style
The DeCordova Museum, in Lincoln Massachusetts, was the setting for the guests of honor, our 2009 graduates. Dennis Kois, Museum Director, personally provided a tour of the DeCordova Sculpture Park, discussing the permanent collection, of outdoor sculptures borrowed by DeCordova from artists, dealers, museums and private collectors, and outdoor installations designed by artists expressly for sites in the Sculpture Park. 
After the tour, the group enjoyed refreshments, high spirits and BAC fellowship on the Museum’s roof deck overlooking Sandy Pond. Every bit as inspiring as the artwork, and views from the deck, were the connections made between the Alumni Board members and the new graduates.
President David Silverman, ’94 applauded the achievements of the graduates and encouraged further involvement with the BAC through the longstanding tradition of volunteerism and participation in alumni initiatives, including the mentoring program and events crafted to educate and provide networking opportunities for alumni. The Alumni Association is striving to build a community that will continue to serve and nurture its members; a strong Alumni Association serves to strengthen the mission of the BAC.
Overheard on the roof deck was, “How do I become an Alumni Board member?” Our thanks go to Carmen Verrier, wife of BAC Alumni Board Member Bob Verrier ’70, Vice President Alumni Board, for arranging our visit to the Museum. For more information about the Decordova Museum, please visit www.decordova.org.
Cascieri 17: Lectureship in the Humanities
Steve Badanes “Jersey Devil: Architect as Artisan”
The BAC Alumni Association welcomed nationally recognized architect Steve Badanes as the keynote speaker at the 17th annual Cascieri Lectureship in the Humanities on Friday, March 13th. The lecture was extremely well received; Badanes spoke to a standing room only crowd in Cascieri Hall, while overflow crowds watched a simulcast of the lecture in the Loft and the Fishbowl. Badanes engaged the audience with his thought-provoking, and often amusing, images and observations. 
At the close of the lecture, Steve was presented with the Cascieri Medal by Cascieri Committee Chair Bernie Goba, Board Chair Lisa Bonneville, President Ted Landsmark,and Dean Jeff Stein. Steve was completely surprised and delighted to receive the speaker's medal and joins a distinctive list of speakers. The Cascieri Committee members took Badanes and his wife, Linda Beaumont, to dinner following the lecture, and committee members reported that Steve kept the medal around his neck for the rest of the evening.
Steve Badanes is the co-founder of Jersey Devil, a group of architects, artists and inventors whose design/build projects and work for non-profit clients has gained international attention and is known for the innovative use of materials and energy efficiency. The lecture, entitled “Jersey Devil: Architect as Artisan,” explored design and making, climate responsive building, working with community organizations and neighborhood groups, innovation and creativity in the use of building materials, and courage in architecture.
During his four-day visit, Badanes was very active within the BAC community. On Thursday, March 12th, he delivered a lecture to the AOP students in Boylston Hall and on Saturday, March 14th, he met with the Solar Decathlon Team Boston as guest critic, utilizing his previous experience as a judge in the national U.S. Department of Energy's Solar Decathlon competition. Solar Decathlon Team Boston presented their work to date, and then opened discussion for questions and feedback from Steve and others in attendance, including BAC Board members, Overseers, faculty and students. A lively discussion ensued, and the team received suggestions and support. 
Alumni Association Selfless Labor Award
Prior to the Cascieri Lecture, the BAC's Don Brown was honored with the Alumni Association’s Selfless Labor Award for 45 years of service to the students and alumni of the BAC. The Selfless Labor reception was held in The Shaw and Stone Library, where 70 members of the Alumni Association, members of the Board, Overseers, faculty, staff, invited guests and Don's family and friends celebrated his achievements.
Don's family, including his wife, his son Chris, a member of the faculty, his daughter-in-law and three grandchildren shared the special occasion with Don.
Don was nominated for the award by Antonio Pina, who said, "The Selfless Labor Award is given to a BAC Alum who has worked tirelessly, throughout a lifetime, advancing the school's mission. The individual embodies the spirit and ideals of our institution. While it is true that Don has been an employee of the school, we feel that he has given beyond the role of his job, and over a sustained period of time, around 40 years, he has been a pioneer in developing the work-curriculum program, Practice, at the BAC, and has created a national model for IDP."
Jerry Couto, Chair of the Alumni Association Awards Committee, listed Don's many accomplishments in announcing the award:
Don has supported each accreditation visit at the BAC, since the first.
- Don developed the first Community Design Studio at the BAC for students to work with clients during Segment II.
- Don founded the Glassman Award, and has assisted in selecting student award recipients over the years.
- Don has served consistently on Portfolio Reviews.
- Don has served on the Cascieri Lectureship in the Humanities Committee and has worked tirelessly to preserve the legacy of the Dean.
- Don is an authoritative source for the BAC's institutional memory.
- Don has been a mentor to many and knows each of us by name.
- Don conceived, created and inaugurated the Selfless Labor Award.
The plaque that was given to Don reads:
The Alumni Association of the Boston Architectural College Honors Don Robert Brown AIA Emeritus, Honorary Alumni '06, with the Selfless Labor Award 2009. For your passion and intensity in over 45 years of unique devotion to the mission of the BAC, and for your infinite belief in its students and alumni.
It was an exciting night at the Alumni Reception at Build Boston in November, as more than 170 alumni and friends of the BAC gathered to renew old acquaintances and celebrate their success. This event is traditionally one of the year’s highlights for BAC alumni, and they were not disappointed. 
President Ted Landsmark welcomed the crowd and had the distinct honor of introducing a special guest, Marshall E. Purnell FAIA, then President of the AIA. Marshall spoke about his experience as the first African-American to lead the organization. He reflected upon and thanked the members of the BAC community for the special reception held at the College in his honor during the previous summer’s AIA convention in Boston. Mr. Purnell congratulated the alumni for their many accomplishments in the design professions and urged them to continue their efforts on behalf of the BAC. 
The 2008 Distinguished Alumni in Practice awards were presented by outgoing Alumni Association President Bernie Goba '69, AIA and newly elected Alumni Association President David Silverman '94, AIA. The Distinguished Alumni in Practice for Architecture was awarded to Allen Lieb ’70, AIA, Principal of Allen M. Lieb Architects in Saugus. Mr. Lieb has been in practice since 1980 and has accomplished a significant body of work in the public sector that includes the design of town halls, courthouses, police and fire stations, educational facilities, public works facilities and historic restoration projects. Bernie Goba stated, “Allen Lieb has taught at the BAC and received numerous awards. He has employed BAC students over the life of his firm, and his work has brought a higher standard to public sector work, bringing credit to his firm and to the BAC.” 
Taniya Nayak ’03 received the Distinguished Alumni in Practice award for Interior Design. Taniya currently hosts a program called "FreeStyle" on HGTV, that helps homeowners deimaginationaginatiion utilizing existing items in their homes. Taniya has also joined the experts of HGTV’s popular show, "Designed to Sell." She is President and Founder of the firm Design Digs, which concentrates on adding a fresh, clean look to commercial and residential spaces. Upon receiving the award Taniya said, “My education at the BAC gave me the building blocks and the knowledge to take an idea and make it come to life. For that I am incredibly grateful. I use the skills I learned there every day.”
In presenting the award to Taniya, Bernie Goba stated, “We are proud of your service to your profession, your outreach to people and your audience impact on a national stage, and your creativity, influence and numerous accomplishments, which reflect the myriad of talents that you bring to the design profession.”
Honorary Alumni Class of '08 Inducted into Alumni Association
The berets were out in full force as the Alumni Association inducted five new Honorary Members and recognized them for extraordinary service, tireless energy and unwavering commitment to the mission of the BAC.
The Class of ’08 Honorary Alumni include Brian Anderson, for his leadership role as Chair of the Honors and Awards Committee; Jim Field, for his talent and skill in installing BAC exhibitions: Director Susan Lewis for 30 years of service to the BAC Library and archives; BAC President Dr. Theodore C. Landsmark for strong ongoing support of Alumni Association initiatives; and former BAC Board of Directors Chair Chuck Redmon, for decades of service in a wide variety of volunteer and governance roles. Each Honorary Alum was presented with a citation outlining the reasons for their selection. Excerpts from those citations are listed below.
Brian Anderson
For twelve years Brian has served as a member of the Boston Architectural College's Honors and Awards Committee, and in 2002 he assumed the role of Chair. Brian’s selfless efforts are indicative of the values and volunteerism that is the spirit of the BAC, and the alumni who have served with him testify to his dedication to the College’s principles and mission. Brian has strengthened the BAC through the recognition of so many gifted and talented students.
Jim Field
Jim’s talent in installing BAC exhibits is outstanding, and the results that he has achieved are extraordinary. The passion and sensitivity manifested in Jim’s work is exceptional, as he has embraced and enhanced the spirit and the legacy of Dean Cascieri, his work and his mission, at the BAC.
Dr. Theodore C. Landsmark
During President Landsmark’s leadership as President of the BAC, he has worked diligently to increase the size and scope of the BAC Alumni Association, and to ensure the continued success of alumni programs and events. He has preserved the ideals of alumni membership, most notably with a single gesture of ensuring the integrity of the earned right to wear the BAC alumni pin. We are pleased that President Landsmark will now join us in proudly wearing that pin.
Chuck Redmon
Chuck’s extraordinary contributions to the BAC are measured not in years but in decades. He wears the BAC cap proudly, but the fact is that Chuck has worn every hat at the BAC— serving as an educator, committee member, donor, ambassador, Director, and Chair of the Board of Directors. In employing our students and alumni, Chuck has embraced the ideals of a BAC education, and he serves as an icon to others throughout the design profession.
Susan Lewis
As the BAC Library Director since 1976, Susan has overseen the tremendous growth of the Library from 1,200 volumes to over 25,000 volumes, utilizing electronic access. Her diligence and perseverance played a significant role in preserving the BAC’s collection in Memorial Library and the development of the BAC archives. Susan has helped to create a vital legacy for future generations of students, the Alumni Association and the entire BAC community.
Watch this space for information on upcoming Alumni Association events. For more information on Alumni Association events and activities, or to update your contact information, please contact Connie Ferreira at 617.585.0284 or constance.ferreira@the-bac.edu. We look forward to seeing you at future exciting alumni events!