2015
Valeria Degutis
"It is such privilege and honor to have been chosen by my studio-mates for the Joseph P. Veasey Award. I am a rising junior from the Chicago area. I grew up in a multi-cultural home with a strong support system that always encouraged me to follow my dreams. At some point in my life, I'd finally decided that my dream was architecture and I decided to go for it. I am always stumped when I try to figure out why I decided to pursue a career in architecture, but one day I realized that architecture is one of the only things in this world that affects almost every single moment of our lives. The design of a single building can alter a whole cityscape and the interiors of a building can alter how one feels. Architecture becomes this powerful influence that we rarely think about, yet it is there affecting how we feel and how we think about certain things. In the future, I hope to work alongside a non-profit organization and design homes and communal architecture that impacts communities with need. There aren't enough words to describe my gratitude towards the selflessness of Joe and his family. I am so honored to have been chosen by my studio for this award. It has been such a pleasure getting to know and work alongside them. Our Department has been such a blessing to me, I couldn't see myself fitting in anywhere else with any other studios. I'm so very thankful for the impact that they've all had on my personal growth these past two years. I am so humbled to be associated with the memory of Joe and his kindness and I will continue to follow his example throughout the rest of my time here at Miami University."
