Jack Baker
Professor Jack Baker, FAIA
The Clyde Lee and Jane Cecilia Baker Traveling Fellowship was established through an endowment by Professor Jack Sherman Baker, FAIA, and his sister, Mrs. Bernice Black Spiegel, in memory of the enduring wisdom, love, and encouragement of their parents.
Professor Baker was an architect of high distinction and creative ability. In addition to an outstanding career as Professor of Architecture in advanced undergraduate and graduate design courses at the University of Illinois for over 43 years, where he was known as one of the most outstanding teachers of architectural design in the country, Professor Baker made significant achievements as a practicing architect.
He was the recipient of numerous honors and design excellence medals and awards for his architectural practice and teaching by the University of Illinois, its students, the AIA, and civic and professional organizations. He was a long admired and greatly cherished faculty member who recieved a Bachelor of Architecture with Honors and a Master of Architecture from the University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana, a Certificate from the Beaux Arts Institute of Design, the “Prix D’Emulation Société des Architectes Diplômes par la Gouvernement,” the distinguished medal for design excellence and the Illinois Medal.
His biography appears in 13 internationally highly respected reference works published in the USA and England. He is listed on the Biographical Roll of Honor by Historical Preservations of America. By proclamation of the International Biographical Centre of Cambridge, England, he was selected 1991-92 International Man of the Year in recognition of his services to excellence in architectural education and practice.
application procedure
Eligibility
The Clyde Lee and Jane Cecilia Baker Traveling Fellowship is an award for alumni who demonstrate continuing design excellence in their work following graduation. This award will be given every other academic year and is open to graduates from the University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana School of Architecture with a Master of Architecture degree.
Graduates will be eligible as candidates for this award up to ten calendar years from the date of graduation to the submission date for the award.
Requirements
Successful recipients of the Clyde Lee and Jane Cecilia Baker Traveling Fellowship will receive a stipend of $10,000 and will be required to spend a minimum of four weeks of immersive travel-study.
Each candidate must submit an electronic portfolio focused upon professional design work accomplished since graduation. In addition, documentation of the candidate’s graduate design work undertaken at UIUC must be included. Specific work (buildings, designs, drawings, photographs, etc.) done on an architectural project(s) including architectural competitions, under the applicant’s own responsibility or for an employer, and any other material or evidence which shows a high level of competence in design and promise of future professional achievement in architecture, may also be included.
The candidate must certify in writing that all portions of the portfolio are the applicant’s own personal accomplishments, or, if done for an employer, the applicant must submit the employer’s statement in writing as to the exact relationship between the applicant and the work submitted.
Each candidate will include, as part of the application for the award, a narrative statement not to exceed 750 words, proposing how the award would be used (purpose, budget, travel, documentation methods, sites examined).
A portfolio must be submitted by only one individual. Joint submittals will not be accepted.
Each candidate must present as part of the portfolio submission a signed Agreement of Acceptance of Conditions Governing the Use of the Clyde Lee and Jane Cecilia Baker Traveling Fellowship Award.
Evaluation Process for the Award
A committee appointed by the Director will review the submissions of work by candidates for the Award. The Committee for the Clyde Lee and Jane Cecilia Baker Traveling Fellowship will consist of the Director of the School of Architecture as Chair, and distinguished members of the architecture profession and/or faculty noted for their design excellence.
The Committee will also select an Award Winner and a First Alternate. If the nominee is unable to accept the stipulated conditions as set forth in the Agreement of Acceptance of Conditions Governing the Use of the Clyde Lee and Jane Cecilia Baker Traveling Fellowship, then the alternate will be awarded the Baker Fellowship. In turn if the alternate is unable to complete the requirements of the award, the Committee reserves the right not to make the Award. it is the applicant’s responsibility for arranging necessary leaves of absence, etc. from their place of employment to pursue the immersive travel-study experience.
Electronic portfolios for consideration by the Committee must be received by the Illinois School of Architecture no later than 5:00 p.m., Friday, February 21, 2025. No extension of time will be allowed.
Inquiries and electronic portfolios should be sent to La Tanya Cobb. Portfolios must be submitted in pdf format, file size limited to 20MB.
The University of Illinois is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for the fellowship without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, status as a protected veteran, or status as a qualified individual with a disability. Illinois welcomes individuals with diverse backgrounds, experiences, and ideas who embrace and value diversity and inclusivity. For more information see http://www.inclusiveillinois.illinois.edu.