The Villagers recently awarded $8,500 in college scholarships to two deserving Florida International University (FIU) graduate students from the College of Communications, Architecture and the Arts. Both students are advocates of architectural historic preservation and show interest in restoration.
The recipients were selected from the field of applicants based on scholastic standing, recommendations, samples of their work and their statement of interest in preserving architectural past. Victoria L. Champion and Renee Belair co-chaired The Villagers scholarship selection committee along with Margie Palmer, Joanne Meagher, and Verna Hodges.
The two scholarship recipients included graduate student Robert Colón, a junior in the Master of Landscape Architecture program, who received a $5,000 award and Kaitlyn Fuson, a second-time recipient and senior in the Master of Architecture program, who received $3,500.
Colón explained that his landscape architecture degree encompasses urban design and entails the “entire experience walking out the front door.” He went on to say “when developers tear down an area, they are missing out on the character of the whole city. That’s why historic preservation in urban settings is often cheaper and provides many economical options.”
Written by The Villagers
About The Villagers:
The Villagers, Inc. is dedicated to the restoration and preservation of historic sites in Miami-Dade County, Florida. Founded in 1966, the all-volunteer organization is a not-for-profit 501(c)3. www.thevillagersinc.org
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