Beth Weinstein and Laura Jensen Win 2021 Darryl D. Dobras Awards for Excellence
Associate Professor of Architecture Beth Weinstein and School of Landscape Architecture and Planning Program Coordinator Laura Jensen have been awarded the College of Architecture, Planning and Landscape Architecture’s highest annual honor for employees: the Darryl D. Dobras Award for Excellence.
Named after 1972 Bachelor of Architecture graduate Darryl Dobras, the financial award is presented annually by CAPLA Dean Nancy Pollock-Ellwand to recognize outstanding achievements by faculty, staff and students of the college.
Beth Weinstein, Associate Professor of Architecture.
Weinstein, who has a PhD from the University of Tasmania, was awarded for her “generous contributions, support and vital work both within the School of Architecture and the college—as well as beyond the academy,” says Pollock-Ellwand.
“Professor Weinstein is among the very best of CAPLA’s faculty at pedagogical and research innovation and her service to the school and college is extensive,” says School of Architecture Director Rob Miller. “By holding herself to a very high standard of accomplishment, she inspires and calls on her colleagues to do likewise.”
Jensen, who is a Master of Landscape Architecture graduate of CAPLA and worked with the Drachman Institute before joining the School of Landscape Architecture and Planning, was awarded for her outstanding work in the school and across the college.
Laura Jensen, Program Coordinator.
“A highly organized and creative staff member, Laura possesses a versatile range of skills, from project management to digital communications,” says School of Landscape Architecture and Planning Director Lauri Johnson. “She has been able to shift roles as needed this year and is an excellent collaborator and team player across all departments in the college. She is flexible, good natured, kind and highly valued by all for her many contributions to the success of the school and college.”
It’s my honor to contribute to CAPLA’s intellectual and creative culture, shared governance, and curricular initiatives, and to educating and supporting our students,” says Weinstein. “My activities this year included reconceptualizing a course, co-taught with Laura Hollengreen, to more robustly link contemporary issues, critical theories and spatial design and I co-chaired ARCC 2021: Performative Environments, which modeled new modes of performing practice and research. I also completed my practice-based doctoral research examining invisible labor and razed spaces of internment. I am deeply grateful to receive this award and thank the dean for this recognition.”
“I am very honored to have received this award; it was such a surprise!” says Jensen. “This has been an interesting year of work, to say the least, and I feel fortunate to have been a part of a team of people at CAPLA who have been flexible, creative and supportive throughout this transition to working remotely. We have all been challenged and acquired new skills, and I learned a great deal from my colleagues. I am looking forward to seeing what we accomplish as we move into a new school year and transition back to campus.”
Congratulations to Beth Weinstein and Laura Jensen, and thank you for your outstanding service to CAPLA, the University of Arizona and much beyond!
