Women in Design – Kansas City | Scholarship

In 2011 as a celebration of our five year anniversary WiD-KC established a scholarship fund designed to empower women studying in all design professions.  This scholarship is available to women at any level of study, who are in pursuit of a degree in design related fields such as Architecture/Interior Design/ Landscape Design/Industrial Design/Product Design.  Judgment for the WiD-KC scholarship is based on need, academic excellence and demonstrated leadership. Click on the links below to  donate to the Scholarship fund or download the Scholarship application form.

 

Download Scholarship Donation Form

 

Download Scholarship Application Form

 

KCAF Scholarship Award Ceremony

On August 14th, the Kansas City Architectural Foundation (KCAF) and the American Institute of Architects – Kansas City awarded $22,500 in scholarships to eight recipients from Kansas State University and the University of Kansas.  This year’s Women in Design - Kansas City Scholarship was awarded to Julie Lickenbrock, a 5th year from the University of Kansas.  Julie is the second recipient to be honored with this scholarship.  To donate to the Women in Design – Kansas City Scholarship Fund, please contact Staci at sponsorship@widkc.org.

 To see images from Julie’s portfolio, click link 1, link 2, and link 3. Continue reading for a brief interview with this year’s recipient, followed by photos of the scholarship ceremony.

 

Where did you get your interest in design?
My interest in design developed more from a practical route. I wasn’t the child who always said she wanted to be an architect. Instead, I decided on Architecture in high school since my favorite classes were art and physics. I really enjoyed the subjects, thanks to my professors at the time, and wanted to continue with them in some way. After researching different professions and shadowing professionals, Architecture seemed to be a good fit.
During my sophomore year of college, I realized that Architecture was a field I really enjoyed and felt right for me. Despite long hours and a hectic schedule, I still wanted to work on my studio project and develop it more.  Ever since, I have been determined to pursue this career. Not all feedback about the profession has been good, of course, but there is still something about it which is very fulfilling for me.
What are your goals for the semester, the rest of your time in school, and 5 years after graduation?  
Currently, my goal is to learn to speak French well since we are in the midst of an intensive French course for study abroad. In September, I will begin studio and other classes in Paris. I hope to learn more about designing at a larger scale and considering the surrounding urban fabric. I am also interested to see another view of architecture and how the French studio environment compares to KU’s. This was one of the reasons I chose a longer study abroad program.
Since this is my last year of school, I hope to learn as much as possible while in France. In the spring, I will be interning with a French firm and am excited to see how the experience compares to past internships.  After graduation, I hope to find a job and work towards becoming an architect. I would like to become licensed as soon as possible and have been completing IDP hours to make this a reality.
In 5 years, I hope to be working with a firm that takes pride in their work and professionals. Firm culture is very important to me and takes priority over other factors. I would like to work with professionals that can speak about projects they really enjoyed working on no matter what type or scale.
Eventually, I will probably find a niche which I enjoy most. In the meantime, though, I hope to learn as much as possible about all types of projects and companies through school and internships.
What clubs/organizations are you involved in?
Last year, I was president of Women in Design at KU. It was a lot of work but a very rewarding experience. The position provided the chance to create events which I thought students would benefit from and which they requested. It also provided the opportunity to meet the women of WiD-Kansas City and learn from them.
This past year, I was also the student representative for the KU Chair Search Committee and a part of the STEM scholarship program. The STEM program includes students from the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. It includes a class on renewable energy technologies and provides numerous opportunities to learn about other fields.
Where and what are you most excited about during your study abroad?
I have never been to Europe before, so I am hoping to explore as much as possible. Learning about various pieces of architecture and their history has been very exciting. In the past, I have not been particularly fond of history classes. Seeing the buildings in person, though, has led me to do my own research to learn about them more.
It is also extremely beneficial to see so many famous buildings and what aspects make them successful or not. Looking at photos for precedence does not really suffice. Hopefully, when we start studio, the benefit of seeing these structures will show through in my projects.
Have you been able to do an internship and if so, what did you learn?
The past two summers I have had internships which were very different. Last summer, I worked in the architectural division of a large engineering company. I learned a lot about the process for federal projects, the requirements for LEED, and the culture of a large company.

 

Our First Recipient

Congratulations to Katie Gallagher, a fourth year Architecture student at K-State, for being awarded the first WiD-KC scholarship!  Katie was honored at the AIA-KC/KCAF scholarship reception on Tuesday, August 9th in downtown Kansas City.  The awarding of the scholarship was a big moment in WiD-KC history, as it marked the success of one of WiD-KC’s original five-year goals.  Applications for next year’s scholarship will be available in January 2012.

Interview with Katie Gallagher

WiD-KC: Where did you get your interest in design?
Katie: I’m not sure exactly who planted the seed, but I have a journal entry from Kindergarten that says, “When I grow up I want to be  an Architect.”  Since then the idea of using my hands to create something has kept me more than interested in the design field.

WiD-KC: What are your goals for the semester, the rest of your time in school, and 5 years after graduation?
Katie: This semester in studio my main focus is to learn the Construction Document and Detailing phases in the design process.  With that said, I want to focus my goals of the semester into detail of connections and gaining an overall understanding of the different systems within a building.  My goal for the rest of my time in school is to enjoy to the fullest the ability to design things without money being one of the main factors in design.  In most cases that I have seen, design can sometimes be oppressed by monetary concerns, which is one part of the design process that I hope to change for the better.  With that said, in the following 5 years after graduation I hope to work at a firm with a strong background in design and a diverse building type array.  I want to learn as much as possible about all the different building types and the roles within the design process itself.  Another goal that I hope to accomplish before my 5 year mark from graduation is to complete and pass all of the licensing tests and become a licensed architect.

Example of Katie’s Studio Work

WiD-KC: What clubs/organizations are you involved in?
Katie: At school I find my niche in helping others.  I was a Resident Assistant in Marlatt Hall for two years and enjoyed the opportunity to help others and be a major role model for students in their transition into college.  In addition to being an RA, I am the President of the The Plot Club,which is a student run group that handles all of the printing in the architecture department.  Outside of a few other commitments on campus, I also enjoy swimming, playing volley ball and being active.

WiD-KC: Do you plan to study abroad?  If so, where and what are you most excited about?
Katie: I do indeed plan on studying abroad and I am most definitely excited (as I wrote this I got the butterfly feeling in my stomach)!  I will be leaving in January to study in Orvieto, Italy which is in the central region of Tuscany.  I am most excited to learn about and see first-hand the places that have formed Architecture.  The ability to witness the beauty of design that has lasted centuries is something that I have been looking forward to since I chose K-State.  There isn’t one building in particular that I’m looking forward to over another, I am just excited to soak in the whole experience.

WiD-KC: Have you been able to do an internship and if so, what did you learn?
Katie: I had an internship this summer and the experience was worth more that I can say in words.  I learned things that we are not taught in school and appreciate the opportunity to experience my field.