April 2, 1999
Contact: Betty Wooding 
(804) 982-5846


U.VA.'S ELIZABETH LAWSON ELECTED TO AIA COLLEGE OF FELLOWS
	University of Virginia architect Elizabeth W. Lawson, manager of
academic capital programs for U.Va.'s Facilities Planning and
Construction Department, has been elected by the American Institute of
Architects (AIA) to its prestigious College of Fellows for her notable
contributions to the advancement of the profession.
	She is among 97 architects nationwide chosen this year for the
honor, awarded to AIA members who have made contributions of national
significance in architecture, education, building, the environment or
public service.
	Lawson was cited especially for her career public service work,
her efforts to advance the living standards of people through improved
environment, and for her instrumental role in the formation of a new
Central Virginia AIA chapter.  She will receive her fellowship medal
during a ceremony at the AIA national convention in Dallas May 7.
	Lawson joined the staff of the U.Va.'s Facilities Management in
1990.  Prior to that, she had worked as an architect and planner in
private practice and with firms in Philadelphia. At the University of
Virginia, she has been responsible for overseeing more than 30 highly
praised projects including Bryan Hall, which houses the University's
English Department; the Brown College Elevator, which won the AIA
Central Virginia 1998 Honor Award for Design Excellence; the Physics
Building Addition; the Aquatic and Fitness Center, and Commonwealth Hall
at the University of Virginia's College at Wise, which was awarded a
Progressive Architecture citation in 1996 and the Virginia AIA Honor
Award for Design Excellence in 1998.
	In 1993, Lawson and her partner, U.Va. architecture professor
Michael Bednar, purchased and restored "The Farm," a landmark
Charlottesville residence built in 1826 by two Jefferson workmen. It had
deteriorated and was long vacant. In 1995 "The Farm" received the
Preservation Award of the Thomas Jefferson Branch of the Association for
the Preservation of Virginia Antiquities and, in 1997 the Frederick
Doveton Nichols Award of the Preservation Alliance of Virginia. A
central Virginia landmark, "The Farm" was featured in numerous
publications.
	Lawson received her B.A. and architectural degrees from Rice
University.
	
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	Other U.Va. faculty members who are AIA fellows include Samuel
A. (Pete) Anderson III, architect for the University; James Murray
Howard, the University's curator and architect for its historic
buildings; architecture dean William McDonough; and architecture
professor Michael Bednar and professor emeritus Robert L. Vickery.
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