One of the first things I did after I joined AIA was attend the AIA Baltimore lecture series. It is where I met many friends I still have today and started my relationship with the design community here in Baltimore. The lecture series is a grand tradition that we valiantly continued throughout the pandemic with virtual programming, but nothing is quite the same as coming together in person for this event.
It is truly exciting that we are bringing an in-person lecture series back this year. I am looking forward to seeing old friends again, learning something new, and introducing new people to this amazing program.
The lecture series couldn’t happen without the tireless work of our staff and volunteers on the Lecture Series Committee. A small, but mighty group co-chaired by Brian Helfer and Nia Young, the Committee managed to pull together an event that usually takes a year to plan in record time. Thank you to all the committee members and staff for your time and effort to bring this event back in person this year.
Additional thanks goes to the Urban Design Committee who partnered with the Lecture Series Committee to organize a panel discussion around the Baltimore Greenway Trails Network. A special thank you to Jack Sullivan, Klaus Philipsen, and Griffin Sanderoff for spearheading this effort. I hope we see more about the Greenway and other local innovative urban initiatives in future programming.
AIA Baltimore couldn’t provide the programming we have today without the help of our fantastic staff and volunteers. Since April is National Volunteer Month, I want to recognize all of our volunteers who work so hard to make these amazing programs a reality. You help to build our community and make it stronger. You give completely of yourselves to help transform, inspire, and make positive change in our organization and community. We couldn’t do what we do without you. You are an inspiration to us all to give back to the design community that fuels our careers and our passion for the built environment. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.
I encourage you all to spread your enthusiasm and passion to others so we can continue to have a robust and sustainable collective of volunteers. Bring a friend to this year’s lecture series and show them what being a part of this dynamic community is all about! I would love to see our new Lecture Series venue, the Alterus Center, packed with new faces. Our programs like the Lecture Series are great, but our people are even better! I can’t wait for our community to come together again in person after so many years apart.
I hope to see you at the Lecture Series and make Next-Gen Connections with our members and volunteers!
