Wes McRae | Atlanta, GA – December 4, 2025

This year, the School of Architecture opened its annual fall portfolio review for alumni to see and discuss student work.

"I've never seen all the students that are studying architecture in one room, ever. It's amazing to see the number and diversity in the room," said Emily Schickner, M.Arch. 2013, principal at Harrison Design. "And the work is exquisite; it's incredible artwork."

Julie Kim, chair of the School, agreed. "One thing I have to say is that over my time here, the portfolios have just gotten stronger every year," she said. "And it's so energizing to be in the same space with everyone, from first-year undergraduates to third-year graduate students. It's such a great opportunity for all of us to see the amazing work that's happening across the school."

"The portfolio really pushes students to get their work done in a presentation format that shifts their mindset away from presenting just one project," Schickner said.

Inviting alumni enhances community and creates opportunities, she said. "I think this would be a perfect interaction touchpoint for students to start getting business contacts and getting interviews going."

"Next year, I'm going to bring several other people I went to college with to this event."

Students benefited from perspectives beyond the classroom. "I think meeting the alumni, and being able to talk to someone like Cannon Reynolds [Arch. 1993, M. Arch. 1996], was inspiring and got me to shift my lens," said Cole Fox, third year undergraduate student.

"Cannon and I talked about practice exposure, fulfilling your niche, and how to stand out. It has taken me from an academic, class-by-class train of thought to more of 'Okay, but how can I build on this experience? Where do I get to mine that from? How else can I get better?'"

Fox was one of four students recognized for projects in this year's Niles Bolton Prize studio. Fox's project, Pockets and Paths, won Most Exemplary Project. 

"A memorable lesson of this studio was trusting myself as a designer," Fox said. "Each critic will bring their own experiences to your review, and you can never predict that. And that is perfectly okay."

"I also love to work with my peers. I am beyond grateful and spoiled to call my classmates my friends, and being able to lean on those closest to me for feedback was priceless."

Along with Fox, the jury recognized Molly Pentecost for Excellence in Visual Character, Ryan Shanahan for Excellence in Typological Innovation, and Ryan Yin for Excellence in Spatial Design.