The University of Texas at Austin School of Architecture announced on its website Monday that Elizabeth Danze, FAIA, will take the position of the its interim dean this summer.
Danze's appointment follows the departure of longtime dean Frederick "Fritz" Steiner, who resigned last month. Steiner cited the a new state law that allows concealed gun carrying on state university campuses as a major factor in his resignation. Steiner took a position as dean of The University of Pennsylvania School of Design.
The website detailed Danze's background as an alumna of the University of Texas at Austin School of Architecture and the Yale School of Architecture, as well as numerous awards she has received, including the University of Texas System Regents’ Outstanding Teaching Award. She is she is a Fellow of the American Institute of Architects.
The article also noted that Danze co-edited Architecture and Feminism and was co-editor and author of Psychoanalysis and Architecture (volume 33 of The Annual of Psychoanalysis) and CENTER 17: Space and Psyche. Which is enough for us to find her completely fascinating already.
She has also won awards in her private practice with Danze Blood Architects, the site reported. Danze will begin serving as interim dean on July 1.
• Elizabeth Danze, FAIA Appointed Interim Dean of UTSOA [UTSOA]
• New PennDesign Dean Plans Upgrade for Meyerson Hall [Curbed Philadelphia]
• Campus Gun Carry Policy Prompts Resignation of UT Architecture Dean [Curbed Austin]
• UT Architecture Dean Cites Campus Carry as a Reason for Departure [Texas Tribune]