Dean Marvin J. Malecha, FAIA, of the College of Design at North Carolina State University was awarded the 2011 F. Carter Williams Gold Medal during the annual AIA North Carolina conference held at the Raleigh Convention Center September 8-10.

The F. Carter Williams Gold Medal is the highest honor presented by the chapter to a member of AIA North Carolina in recognition of a distinguished career or extraordinary accomplishments as an architect.

Malecha was honored for his immense contributions to the architecture profession including seventeen years as an architect and educator in the state of North Carolina with a career spanning over five decades between two coasts.

“He’s accomplished more in his career to date than other distinguished professionals have accomplished in this state in a life time,” says alumnus John Atkins III, FAIA.

In 2009, Malecha served as president of the American Institute of Architects, providing distinguished service and leadership throughout a tumultuous time in the nation’s economy.

Alumnus Phil Freelon, FAIA, says, “He’s a leader in the academic and professional world. One could argue that Dean Malecha’s most significant and lasting contribution has been his effort to bring these two factions together. He has written extensively on this topic and he continues to work tirelessly to bridge the gap between architecture education and practice.”