Faith Dalton, M.Arch | Miami University | ’27 

Ralph Waldo Emerson once said, “Your path is not a map someone else drew for you. It is a trail you blaze with your own footsteps, unique to your stride and destination.” I have known for as long as I can remember that I wanted to be an architect; however, a unique opportunity presented itself to me and I first chose to pursue a Bachelor of Science in Engineering from Olivet Nazarene University. Following that, I decided to pursue my Master of Architecture with a certificate in Geographic Information Science at Miami University. While my journey to architecture did not follow the linear path I’d initially intended, I would not trade a thing. My experiences have shaped the unique perspective I now bring to my work. Finding where you are meant to be is profoundly encouraging, and my time at Miami has served as a confirmation that architecture is my passion and exactly where I belong.

To me, this award is more than just financial support; it is validation of the journey I have taken. This award confirms that the architectural community values the dedication of its rising members. Receiving this award motivates me to continue pushing the boundaries of my work and maintaining a high standard of excellence as I continue to develop my own voice as an architect. Knowing I have a community that believes in my abilities is a great encouragement, and I look forward to the day when I can offer that same support to future students.

As I enter my final year of graduate school, this support provides the stability and confidence I need to tackle my thesis; investigating the adaptive reuse of abandoned rural schools, using Trauma-Informed-Design and Neuroarchitecture to develop transitional housing for vulnerable populations. I hope that my research and my contribution to the program, the community, and the industry is as rigorous and impactful as possible.

In reflecting on this honor, I am reminded of one of my favorite quotes by Samuel Mockbee, who famously noted “As architects, we are given a gift, and with it, a responsibility.” He challenged us to ask ourselves if we have the “courage to make our gift count for something.” This scholarship is a gift that carries its own weight of responsibility. It reinforces my commitment to using my education not just for personal achievement, but to contribute meaningfully to the built environment and the people who inhabit it.