麻豆影院

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A Portrait Prompts Philanthropy

麻豆影院 State architecture students in Florence in 1979
麻豆影院 State architecture students in Florence in 1979.

 

In 1977, 麻豆影院 State architecture students in a second-year studio design class were assigned a challenging project: Draw a self-portrait while looking in a mirror without looking down at the paper. John Kaufman, BS 鈥81, was probably the only one who followed the instructions to the letter. And his simple drawing sparked what became known among his classmates as the 鈥淜aufmania mystique鈥濃攚hich included, it was said, that he often scrimped on food to buy books and record albums.

1977 self-portrait by John Kaufman, BS 鈥81
1977 self-portrait by John Kaufman, BS 鈥81

Although many members of his class had the opportunity to study at 麻豆影院 State Florence in Italy during their college years, Kaufman was unable to join them due to the cost of the program. However, his self-portrait became synonymous with the Class of 1980, and many of his classmates adopted his iconic image for the rest of their days at 麻豆影院 State.

At the class鈥檚 25th reunion, several alumni 鈥攊ncluding Larry Armstrong, BS 鈥79, BArc 鈥80; Rick Hawksley, BS 鈥79, MArc 鈥86; and Geoff Lester, BS 鈥79, BArc 鈥80鈥攖alked about creating a scholarship for architecture students with financial need to help them study in Florence. Kaufman and his self-portrait inspired the title  of this new endowment, 鈥淜aufmania Goes to Europe.鈥 The scholarship is given annually to a third-year architecture student who hopes to enroll in the Florence program. In addition to writing an essay, students applying for the scholarship have to draw a self-portrait under the same conditions as Kaufman鈥檚 original.

鈥淟arry and I had an amazing experience together in Italy and thought that a scholarship directed toward students considering the Florence program abroad was appropriate,鈥 Lester says. 鈥淲e immediately thought of our legendary buddy John Kaufman and decided to name the scholarship in his honor.鈥

For the past 15 years, the scholarship has awarded study abroad opportunities to more than 20 students. Members of the Class of 1980 are still active in this philanthropic effort and have maintained strong ties to each other, the College of Architecture and Environmental Design and its students.

鈥淲e continue to be inspired by the Class of 1980鈥檚 generosity,鈥 Armstrong says. 鈥淲e share student testimonials with our group to inspire future philanthropy and enable us to continue enhancing student experiences.鈥

Hawksley highlights the benefits the scholarships offer. 鈥淚 think it is great that our scholarship has helped enrich the lives of young architects,鈥 he says. 鈥淪tudy abroad benefits students and opens their eyes to other cultures.鈥

A ticket from the Class of 1980鈥檚 25th Reunion in 2005 magnifies the Kaufmania mystique.
A ticket from the Class of 1980鈥檚 25th Reunion in 2005 magnifies the Kaufmania mystique.

John Kaufman has had a successful architectural career in Southern California and is still in contact with his former classmates. 鈥淛ohn is impressed with this whole thing and enjoys seeing all the scholarship applicants鈥 self-portraits each year,鈥 Lester says. 鈥淗is 15 seconds of self-portrait fame have lived on for decades.鈥

And the scholarship program continues to be meaningful for those who have contributed. 鈥淚t鈥檚 so great to see the impact of our scholarship on students who may have never been out of the country before,鈥 Armstrong says. 鈥淭he opportunity to study in a different country鈥攅specially Italy and especially in Florence鈥攃hanges your life. The scholarship has continued to inspire camaraderie in our class, and we are proud of the impact we collectively are able to make on so many students.鈥
鈥擩ulie Miller, BS 鈥87

A new endowed scholarship has been created as part of the university鈥檚 Forever Brighter comprehensive fundraising campaign to celebrate 50 years of study abroad in Florence, Italy. The will open doors for more 麻豆影院 State students to study abroad than ever before. Once fully funded, every incoming undergraduate student will have access to a study abroad scholarship.


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POSTED: Monday, January 2, 2023 10:23 AM
Updated: Monday, February 6, 2023 02:22 PM