Paul Krynski, a Master of Architecture/Master of Urban Design student from Charlotte, is the first recipient of a new scholarship/internship program established by the School of Architecture in partnership with C Design, a local architectural, interior design and planning firm.
This new program will provide a paid internship plus a tuition scholarship for a full year to one UNC Charlotte student annually. Rising fifth-year (Bachelor of Architecture) students and graduate students are eligible to apply for the award.
“The C Design Scholarship in Practice is a milestone for the School of Architecture,” said Chris Jarrett, director of the School of Architecture. “Building connections between education and practice better prepares our students for the professional life they will soon lead. I appreciate the leadership Rob Crane and his team have taken in stepping forward in supporting the school as inaugural sponsors of the new 'Scholarship in Practice' program.”
C Design, founded in 2003, specializes in operations, transportation, higher education, recreation and workplace facilities throughout the Southeastern United States.
“Having the opportunity to intern at various architectural firms during my college career, I became keenly aware of the importance of learning in a professional setting and developing relationships that are still in existence today,” said Robert Crane Jr., AIA. “This scholarship is a way of paying forward the opportunities that others have given to my career while helping cultivate some of the best talent in the region. C Design is honored to initiate and develop this exciting program.”
Seventeen students applied for the inaugural award; five were chosen as finalists. Inaugural winner Krynski will begin work at C Design in the summer as a full-time employee and then work part-time during the 2015-16 academic year.
“Student enthusiasm for this new scholarship was very high,” Jarrett stated. “They quickly saw the value, not only in terms of helping them with the cost of their education, but more importantly, with the opportunity to participate in creative problem-solving on real-world projects in the office, working alongside professionals. An integrated internship in the context of architectural research and design practice as a component of architectural education is full of untapped potential, for the both the School and the profession. The C Design Scholarship is an important step in this direction.”