President Casteen Announces Kim Tanzer is Next Dean of the UVa School of Architecture

by Derry Wade

In front of the glass wall of the Elmaleh Wing at Campbell Hall yesterday, University of Virginia President John T. Casteen, III announced to a gathering of faculty, students, staff, and administrators that Kim Tanzer, Professor of Architecture at the University of Florida, will be the next Dean of the UVa School of Architecture. “I want to begin by acknowledging the gratitude we feel toward Karen [Van Lengen] for her work in her two terms as dean, and for those of you who served as her advisors and assistants. We’ve had an extraordinary run during these two terms,” said the President.

During Kim Tanzer’s remarks she noted her gratitude for the appointment, her longstanding respect and admiration for the School’s faculty, and her intentions to create an interdisciplinary center, to establish a Ph.D. program in architecture, and to expand the School’s international connections, among other stated goals. “The University of Virginia…is really poised between the public and the private universities. It has the reputation for the quality of a private university but with the aspirations and public mission of the best public universities. It’s an amazing place to be, and a really important place as we move into the next century. In my mind, [its] the most important place to be, and I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to help move the agenda forward,” she said.

Upon learning of Tanzer’s appointment, the leaders of the School’s Foundation Board and Advisory Board offered words of welcome. Stuart Siegel, Foundation Board President, said, “I look forward to working with Dean Tanzer in furthering the goals and preeminence of the School together with the Foundation Board, fellow alumni, friends and new partners.” Advisory Board Chair, Paul Weinschenk, said, “The Advisory Board looks forward to supporting Kim’s efforts to continue the School of Architecture’s progress toward an ever more vibrant group of programs. She inherits a strong platform developed by Karen Van Lengen and brings to her Deanship skills and experience that will be helpful to us all in building on the School’s success.”

We sat down with Kim Tanzer this morning. What follows is an excerpt of the interview.

Q&A With Kim Tanzer

May 15, 2009

Q: You have held a number of important leadership positions, including President of the Association of Collegiate Schools of Architecture and chair of the faculty senate at the University of Florida. How would you characterize your approach to leadership?

Kim Tanzer: I try to do my homework, and find out what the issues are. I work collaboratively, I believe that the best ideas come from taking lots of perspectives into account. Once I’ve done that, if a singular decision is called for I’m willing to make tough decisions.

Q: What do you perceive are the key issues the School needs to address to effectively educate architects, landscape architects, planners, and architectural historians to meet the challenges of the 21st century?

KT: I think all of our disciplines are critically important always, but particularly at this point in the world’s history. I think the two key things are to make sure that we’re working together collaboratively across our disciplines, and secondly it’s incredibly important that we are effectively communicating our knowledge to the broader world.

Q: You have co-authored and edited a number of publications focused on the issue of sustainability. What is your understanding of sustainability and its relationship to architectural practice?

KT: Architectural practice in its broadest terms, including the entire built environment, from planning and landscape architecture through to the smaller scales of interior design and product design, are responsible for the majority of energy usage and planetary degradation. We either are part of the problem, or part of the solution. What I have done in my own work and research over the past decade is to try and advocate means by which we can be part of the solution.

Q: Do you hope to continue some involvement in teaching while serving as Dean?

KT: I love teaching … We’re all here for the students, and it’s easy to lose track of that. As soon as I can start teaching, in whatever capacity, I will.

Q: Given the depressed economic climate, what do you see as the opportunities and challenges facing the School’s future fundraising efforts?

KT: This is a good time to prepare for new fundraising opportunities, and I think the fact that I’ll be new when it’s also a time [in the economic climate] to step back and take a fresh look is an opportune coincidence.

Q: What is your feeling toward the value of undergraduate education?

KT: I think it’s critical, and that is certainly by reputation one of the strengths of the University of Virginia. I think a good undergraduate education prepares you for a rich life across the spectrum.

Q: What will be your approach toward issues of diversity at the School, in every sense of that term?

KT: I think of diversity in the same way that I think of ecosystems. Ecosystems require diversity to be strong, and any time a monoculture comes into play, it reduces the strength of the whole system. So whether it’s disciplinary diversity, or cultural diversity, or any other kind of diversity, we’re stronger when we bring different perspectives to our work.

Q: Do you support a research culture? If so, what is your perception of the value of research at a school of architecture?

KT: Schools of architecture, because we have over the last 100 years or more, have been doing project-based work, we have tended not to reflect on what has been effective. From my perspective, research is applying a longer history to a particular issue. Research is what allows us to improve things. I think it’s very important.

Q: How can alumni play a more direct role in the future success of the School?

KT: I think our alumni can and do provide guidance to the School in terms of trends out in the field that are more specific than would normally come to the attention of academics. Also, alumni reminding the larger world about the role of the University of Virginia in their own development is a help to the School in spreading its message.

Q: We received an email from an alumnus who asked, “Why are we hoping to create a Ph.D. program in architecture?” Can you respond to that?

KT: From my perspective as a member of the Univ. of FL Board of Trustees and as a Provost Fellow there, I had an opportunity to see how research universities work across the board — not just in our disciplines. What I realized is that in the past 20 years, most other disciplines have adopted the Ph.D. as the terminal degree. I think that within a generation, to be credible academics, it will be crucial to have a Ph.D. as an architect without losing a focus on design. For UVa to play the leadership role that it should be playing in educating future educators, I think it’s a critical next step. The other primary purpose, from my own experience in working on interdisciplinary teams that include Ph.D.s, is there’s a depth of inquiry that comes with a Ph.D. education that does not come with a MArch education. In my experience, some of the cutting edge firms have researchers on staff now, and they need to be expert researchers. I don’t think everyone needs both degrees, but I think some people do.

Q: What are you especially looking forward to as you anticipate beginning your deanship this summer?

KT: Working with a really exceptional faculty. As I said in my remarks yesterday, the faculty here does work that is relevant to world issues and I’m looking forward to participating in that.

Media

Archinect
“Kim Tanzer Appointed Next Dean at UVA SoA”

Cville Weekly
“UVa School of Architecture Gets New Dean”

Daily Progress
“Professor Picked by UVa to Lead Architecture School”

UVa Today
“Kim Tanzer, Respected Teacher, Researcher and Community Advocate, Appointed Dean of University of Virginia School of Architecture”

	Home > Calendar > In the News > President Casteen Announces Kim Tanzer is Next Dean of the UVa School of Architecture by Derry Wade In front of the glass wall of the Elmaleh Wing at Campbell Hall yesterday, University of Virginia President John T. Casteen, III announced to a gathering of faculty, students, staff, and administrators that Kim Tanzer, Professor of Architecture at the University of Florida, will be the next Dean of the UVa School of Architecture. “I want to begin by acknowledging the gratitude we feel toward Karen [Van Lengen] for her work in her two terms as dean, and for those of you who served as her advisors and assistants. We’ve had an extraordinary run during these two terms,” said the President. During Kim Tanzer’s remarks she noted her gratitude for the appointment, her longstanding respect and admiration for the School’s faculty, and her intentions to create an interdisciplinary center, to establish a Ph.D. program in architecture, and to expand the School’s international connections, among other stated goals. “The University of Virginia…is really poised between the public and the private universities. It has the reputation for the quality of a private university but with the aspirations and public mission of the best public universities. It’s an amazing place to be, and a really important place as we move into the next century. In my mind, [its] the most important place to be, and I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to help move the agenda forward,” she said. Upon learning of Tanzer’s appointment, the leaders of the School’s Foundation Board and Advisory Board offered words of welcome. Stuart Siegel, Foundation Board President, said, “I look forward to working with Dean Tanzer in furthering the goals and preeminence of the School together with the Foundation Board, fellow alumni, friends and new partners.” Advisory Board Chair, Paul Weinschenk, said, “The Advisory Board looks forward to supporting Kim’s efforts to continue the School of Architecture’s progress toward an ever more vibrant group of programs. She inherits a strong platform developed by Karen Van Lengen and brings to her Deanship skills and experience that will be helpful to us all in building on the School’s success.” We sat down with Kim Tanzer this morning. What follows is an excerpt of the interview. Q&A With Kim Tanzer May 15, 2009 Q: You have held a number of important leadership positions, including President of the Association of Collegiate Schools of Architecture and chair of the faculty senate at the University of Florida. How would you characterize your approach to leadership? Kim Tanzer: I try to do my homework, and find out what the issues are. I work collaboratively, I believe that the best ideas come from taking lots of perspectives into account. Once I’ve done that, if a singular decision is called for I’m willing to make tough decisions. Q: What do you perceive are the key issues the School needs to address to effectively educate architects, landscape architects, planners, and architectural historians to meet the challenges of the 21st century? KT: I think all of our disciplines are critically important always, but particularly at this point in the world’s history. I think the two key things are to make sure that we’re working together collaboratively across our disciplines, and secondly it’s incredibly important that we are effectively communicating our knowledge to the broader world. Q: You have co-authored and edited a number of publications focused on the issue of sustainability. What is your understanding of sustainability and its relationship to architectural practice? KT: Architectural practice in its broadest terms, including the entire built environment, from planning and landscape architecture through to the smaller scales of interior design and product design, are responsible for the majority of energy usage and planetary degradation. We either are part of the problem, or part of the solution. What I have done in my own work and research over the past decade is to try and advocate means by which we can be part of the solution. Q: Do you hope to continue some involvement in teaching while serving as Dean? KT: I love teaching … We’re all here for the students, and it’s easy to lose track of that. As soon as I can start teaching, in whatever capacity, I will. Q: Given the depressed economic climate, what do you see as the opportunities and challenges facing the School’s future fundraising efforts? KT: This is a good time to prepare for new fundraising opportunities, and I think the fact that I’ll be new when it’s also a time [in the economic climate] to step back and take a fresh look is an opportune coincidence. Q: What is your feeling toward the value of undergraduate education? KT: I think it’s critical, and that is certainly by reputation one of the strengths of the University of Virginia. I think a good undergraduate education prepares you for a rich life across the spectrum. Q: What will be your approach toward issues of diversity at the School, in every sense of that term? KT: I think of diversity in the same way that I think of ecosystems. Ecosystems require diversity to be strong, and any time a monoculture comes into play, it reduces the strength of the whole system. So whether it’s disciplinary diversity, or cultural diversity, or any other kind of diversity, we’re stronger when we bring different perspectives to our work. Q: Do you support a research culture? If so, what is your perception of the value of research at a school of architecture? KT: Schools of architecture, because we have over the last 100 years or more, have been doing project-based work, we have tended not to reflect on what has been effective. From my perspective, research is applying a longer history to a particular issue. Research is what allows us to improve things. I think it’s very important. Q: How can alumni play a more direct role in the future success of the School? KT: I think our alumni can and do provide guidance to the School in terms of trends out in the field that are more specific than would normally come to the attention of academics. Also, alumni reminding the larger world about the role of the University of Virginia in their own development is a help to the School in spreading its message. Q: We received an email from an alumnus who asked, “Why are we hoping to create a Ph.D. program in architecture?” Can you respond to that? KT: From my perspective as a member of the Univ. of FL Board of Trustees and as a Provost Fellow there, I had an opportunity to see how research universities work across the board — not just in our disciplines. What I realized is that in the past 20 years, most other disciplines have adopted the Ph.D. as the terminal degree. I think that within a generation, to be credible academics, it will be crucial to have a Ph.D. as an architect without losing a focus on design. For UVa to play the leadership role that it should be playing in educating future educators, I think it’s a critical next step. The other primary purpose, from my own experience in working on interdisciplinary teams that include Ph.D.s, is there’s a depth of inquiry that comes with a Ph.D. education that does not come with a MArch education. In my experience, some of the cutting edge firms have researchers on staff now, and they need to be expert researchers. I don’t think everyone needs both degrees, but I think some people do. Q: What are you especially looking forward to as you anticipate beginning your deanship this summer? KT: Working with a really exceptional faculty. As I said in my remarks yesterday, the faculty here does work that is relevant to world issues and I’m looking forward to participating in that. Media Archinect “Kim Tanzer Appointed Next Dean at UVA SoA” Cville Weekly “UVa School of Architecture Gets New Dean” Daily Progress “Professor Picked by UVa to Lead Architecture School” UVa Today “Kim Tanzer, Respected Teacher, Researcher and Community Advocate, Appointed Dean of University of Virginia School of Architecture”	This Week This Month : November In the News Feature Stories Archive Lectures & Symposia Exhibits Podcasts UVa Academic Calendar UVa Events Calendar UVa Student Activities Calendar Kim Tanzer. Kim Tanzer Announcement.
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