Alumni Profile
Retail Design Innovator Richard Altuna ’74 B Arch Honored through CAPLA Endowed Scholarship
Richy Altuna, who graduated from the Bachelor of Architecture program in 1974 and went on to become a renowned consumer experience designer for many of the world's most iconic retail stores, passed away in June 2021. His family and friends have established the Richard “Richy” Eugene Altuna Endowed Scholarship to support CAPLA undergraduate students.
The Right Tools for the Job: Georgia Pennington ’19 BS SBE, ’20 MS Urban Planning
Georgia Pennington, who is originally from Kansas City, Missouri, came to UArizona to study sustainability. While in the BS in Sustainable Built Environments program, she found herself most drawn to the urban planning courses, so then enrolled in the MS Urban Planning accelerated master’s program option. Upon graduation, she accepted a planning job with the City of Tucson.
No Building Left Behind: Dan Heinfeld ’75 B Arch
Though Dan Heinfeld knew from a young age that he wanted to become an architect, he couldn’t have known in eighth grade—when he wrote a class paper on the profession—that his career pursuit would not only change his life but also change the design industry itself. As president of LPA, he’s done just that.
CAPLA Celebrates Heather Henricks Lenkin ’79 B Arch, 2020-2021 Alumna of the Year
The Arizona Alumni Association has named Heather Henricks Lenkin ’79 B Arch as its 2020-2021 Alumna of the Year for the College of Architecture, Planning and Landscape Architecture. Heather was chosen for her outstanding career success, passionate work to protect the world’s cultural resources and unwavering support of the university.
Art, Design and Authentic Place: David D. Ortega '77 B Arch
David D. Ortega, who is from Globe, Arizona and has lived and worked in Scottsdale since 1978, became the first architect and Latino mayor in the country when he was elected the 12th mayor of Scottsdale. He credits his background in architecture with informing his views as a civic leader.
Advice for Aspiring Architects (from an Aspiring Architect): Gustavo Antonio Noriega ’20 B Arch
Gustavo Antonio Noriega, who grew up in Sinaloa, Mexico, East Los Angeles and Tucson, graduated from UArizona at the height of the pandemic and following a sudden switch to online courses. In this interview, he offers advice to those just starting out in the architecture program, as well as those looking for their first jobs as they prepare for graduation.
Exploring Human-Landscape Connections: Adriana Zuniga ’10 MS Arch, Assistant Research Scientist
Assistant Research Scientist Adriana Zuniga came to CAPLA from Mexico in 2008 to pursue her MS Architecture degree. Since then, she has also earned a PhD in Arid Lands Resources Sciences and has taught and conducted research on human-landscape connections at CAPLA since 2015.
From ‘Safeway Architecture Student’ to Oscar-Nominated Production Designer: New Scholarship Honors Lawrence G. Paull ’64 B Arch
Lawrence G. Paull '64 B Arch, who passed away in 2019, created award-winning sets for such films as Blade Runner, Back to the Future, City Slickers and Romancing the Stone. His wife Marcy Bolotin has endowed a CAPLA scholarship in his name.
Designing for the Human Factor: Dyron Murphy ’88 B Arch
Dyron Murphy, who is from Window Rock on the Navajo Nation, learned many things as a Bachelor of Architecture student—time management, design skills, flexibility—but what he didn’t anticipate was how close his cohort would become and has since remained.
Cowboys, Hippies and Sustainable Design: Rich Michal '07 B Arch, M Arch
Rich Michal came to CAPLA to study architecture after earning a bachelor's degree in construction engineering and management from Purdue University and an MBA from Indiana University. Seeking to learn more about sustainable design—and designing and constructing one of the nation’s most energy-efficient on-grid homes in the country as his master’s thesis—he pursued the B Arch and M Arch concurrently.
How Architecture Can Save a Life: Roy Noggle ’67 B Arch
Roy Noggle graduated from the University of Arizona’s Bachelor of Architecture program in 1967, where he was a member of the well-known “Safeway Class,” so named because the original architecture studio was held in an old Safeway grocery store on North Park Avenue.
Job Searching in the COVID Era: Lena Porell '20 MS Urban Planning
Despite the challenges presented by job hunting during a global pandemic, Lena Porell '20 MS Urban Planning recently moved across the country to Providence, Rhode Island to start her career as a staff planner.
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