Thanks to the support of former students of longtime Department of Architecture head Raniero Corbelletti (1968–88), current Penn State Architecture students will be awarded funds to offset their college expenses.
The Raneiro Corbelletti Memorial Student Awards Fund was established by George H. Miller (’73 B.S. Arch) and his wife, Anne Tichich, in memory of Corbelletti, with additional support from Lou Astorino (’69 B.S. Arch). Corbelletti had a significant influence on many Penn State Architecture students during his tenure at the University, during which time he also served as interim dean of the College of Arts and Architecture.
The award funds the monetary prizes for winners of the annual Corbelletti Design Charette Competition, in which students respond to a brief, focusing on use of hand drawing and rendering. A respected teacher, administrator and practitioner, Corbelletti gained international recognition for his own drawing and rendering skills.
“Raniero Corbelletti made a difference and I hope that many others who studied with him will recognize his enormous impact on the department and our profession,” said George Miller, FAIA, managing partner of Pei Cobb Freed and Partners Architects LLP.
According to Lou Astorino, FAIA, founder and chairman of the design firm Astorino, Corbelletti was the “quintessential architect.” “He was an inspiration to every young aspiring architectural student that he so thoughtfully mentored. In that light, I wanted to memorialize his unselfish devotion to the practice of architecture.”
The Corbelletti Design Charette is held during the first week of classes in the fall semester. Winners typically use their awards to help fund their study abroad expenses (all undergraduate Penn State Architecture students are required to spend a semester in Rome). This year, students responded to a brief focusing on erasure as a method for mark-making, written by noted artist, architect and educator Perry Kulper. Winners included: Grand Prize: Lindsay Connelly (fourth year); Prize Winners: Brittany Hardaway (fourth year) and Andrew Hoffman (third year); and Honorable Mentions: Torin Miner, Fitore Shllaku, Lauren Pelletier, Matt Avallone, Hannah Lasota and Marie McKenna. For a gallery of photos from the competition, visit http://artsandarchitecture.psu.edu/gallery/corbelletti-design-charette-competition.
To contribute to the Raneiro Corbelletti Student Awards Fund, call 1-888-800-9163 or visit http://GiveNow.PSU.edu. Click on "College of Arts and Architecture" and then select "Other." Type "Raneiro Corbelletti Student Awards Fund" in the "Additional Information" box.