The Erickson Alumni Center recently received two prestigious awards in recognition of the overall architectural design and excellence in construction.

The center was named the “People’s Choice” for the Design Pittsburgh 2009 awards program. This award is presented to the architectural project that receives the popular vote. The WVU Alumni Association Erickson Alumni Center was one of 89 buildings under consideration for the award and received the most votes. More than 1,200 votes were cast by the public for this award.

The award was presented to IKM Architects, the firm who created the overall architectural design of the new alumni center, during a ceremony on Oct. 22. The Design Pittsburgh Awards are presented through the American Institute of Architects (AIA) to recognize and promote excellence in the craft of architecture, as created by the members of AIA.

The new alumni home also recently received honors on the state level. The Erickson Alumni Center and March-Westin Company, Inc., the contractor on the project, were recognized with the 2009 Excellence in Construction Award from Associated Builders and Contractors, Inc. (ABC) of West Virginia. This award is one of the premiere competitions within the construction industry that recognizes outstanding construction projects across the nation.

Project Manager Earl Miller, Project Superintendent Dave Mahalick, and Mike Witouski of IKM Architects accepted the award in Charleston earlier this month. March-Westin is also submitting The Erickson Alumni Center project for consideration for the ABC’s national Excellence in Construction Award.

“These awards are a true testament to the hard work and dedication of everyone involved in this project, including the wonderful work of March-Westin and IKM,” said Stephen L. Douglas, president and CEO of the WVU Alumni Association. “Our alumni and friends played an integral role in providing input and financial support to create an amazing alumni home of which we can all be proud. We are pleased that this facility continues to gain regional and national recognition.”

For more information about the awards, visit Design Pittsburgh at http://pittsburghsfavoritearchitecture.com/dp2009/ and the ABC awards at http://www.abc.org/Business_Development/Awards/Excellence_in_Construction_Awards.aspx.

-WVU-

tec/10/29/09

CONTACT: Tara Curtis, WVU Alumni Association,
304-293-0972, tecurtis@mail.wvu.edu