SCHOOL OF ARCHITECTURE

Current Dean, James West, began his tenure in January 2002 and leads the CAA+D into the 21st century.

The School of Architecture, established in 1973 by the Board of Trustees of the Institutions of Higher Learning (IHL), offers the only professional degree in architecture in the state of Mississippi. After an advisory council consisting of state architects urged the three senior universities to submit proposals, the IHL Board designated MSU as the location for the new program. At the suggestion of the Mississippi Chapter of the American Institute of Architects (AIA), a team of architects was appointed by the National AIA to visit MSU. This important action helped the University better understand the unique requirements of a professional degree program in architecture. It was largely due to this committee’s report that MSU created the School of Architecture as an autonomous academic unit.

When the first group of architecture students entered the University in 1973, advising was provided by the College of Engineering. William G. McMinn, FAIA was named first Dean of the School of Architecture and was charged with assembling a faculty. In 1977, studio space was relocated from a renovated dormitory to a building originally designed as a livestock-judging pavilion and later used as a motor pool. Legislative approval in 1981 of $4.9 million for construction and furnishings resulted in an award-winning addition to the previously premiated building conversion. Dedication of the new facility took place during May 1983 with the national Presidents of AIA, ACSA, NCARB, ASC/AIA and NAAB participating. This event culminated the School’s first ten years of growth from initial idea to full development and national recognition.

Having been participants on the original advisory council, Mississippi architects continue to be extremely supportive of, and intimately involved with the School's programs. Their participation in juries, reviews, and thesis preparation continues to benefit the consistently high caliber of both faculty and students. Visiting lecturers and field trips, in addition to co-op and foreign exchange programs are considered fundamental to the School's mission and absolutely necessary given the School’s isolated location. Following development of the undergraduate program and an initial five-year accreditation, the School expanded its activities through the establishment of the Center for Small Town Research. This community outreach component of the School of Architecture continues to focus local, regional, and national attention on problems and opportunities for small-town design. In 1996, the School established the Jackson Community Design Center, located at 509 E. Capitol Street, home of the Stuart C. Irby Studios and the fifth-year program. In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, the Gulf Coast Community Design Studio was established and is currently housed in Biloxi, MS.

The School continues to be recognized nationally for its pedagogical leadership in integrating computers into the design studio and its commitment to the innovative use of digital technology continues to mature. In 1995, the School established a Master of Science degree in Architecture and established an advanced research and teaching laboratory for high-performance computing. As a result, the Design Research and Informatics Lab (DRIL) not only serves the undergraduate and graduate programs but also supports college and university related research activities using digital media.

Additional noteworthy accomplishments include the following: in 2003, the School of Architecture received its largest ever gift -- a $2.5 million endowment to the Small Town Center by Fred Carl of the Viking Range Corporation; and in 2005, the School received its first endowed professorship -- The Johnny Crane Professorship in Architecture.