Skip to main content

Charleston Business

Clemson Emeritus Associate Professor Receives Medal of Distinction

May 08, 2018 03:27PM ● By Kathleen Maris

Photo: Ray Huff (right) and his wife, Wendi, stand with Jim Thomas (left) of Jim Thomas Studio and part-time resident at Clemson’s Fluid Campus in Genoa, Italy, and nominators John Jacques and Lisa Lanni. Image Credit: Ray Huff

Ray Huff, emeritus associate professor, director of the Clemson Architecture Center of Charleston, and a Fellow of the American Institute of Architects, was awarded the Medal of Distinction by the South Carolina Chapter of the American Institute of Architects at its 2018 annual meeting. The Medal of Distinction is the highest honor that AIA South Carolina can bestow upon a member.

“It is a great honor to be recognized by my peers for an award of this caliber,” said Huff. “I’m so fortunate that I’ve been able to pair my love of design with pedagogy and that I’ve had the opportunity to work with many of Clemson’s talented students.”

The AIA South Carolina board of directors confers this recognition to those with a significant body of work or service that has made a lasting influence on the practice of architecture in South Carolina.

“Ray is the consummate architect, leader, professional, teacher, and mentor. He is always looking toward the future and contributing innovation and wisdom to making the future better,” said Kate Schwennsen, director of Clemson’s School of Architecture. “Congratulations to Ray for this well-deserved honor for his peerless contributions to our profession.

John Jacques, professor emeritus of Clemson’s School of Architecture, and Lisa Lanni, a former student and partner of McMillian Pazdan Smith, nominated Huff for the award.

During the award ceremony, Lanni spoke on behalf of herself and nearly 900 former students whose careers have been inspired by the extraordinary lessons of Huff’s hands-on approach to teaching.

An award-winning architect, Huff graduated from Clemson in 1971 and returned to direct and teach at the Charleston Architecture Center in 1987. Huff has played an instrumental role in shaping Clemson’s architectural program in Charleston and ensures there is an emphasis on community service, allowing students to learn by working with nonprofit and for-profit communities as well as governmental entities.

Huff has lectured worldwide about his unique perspective on architecture and culture. Until 2017,  he was a partner at Huff+Gooden Architects, where they approached architecture with a global perspective that aligns with proactive cultural positions.

“Architecture has been and always will be fulfilling for me. When you have an opportunity to shape a community and establish a legacy, both for yourself and for your community, you have a direct impact on how we live,” said Huff.