For the second time in three years, the publication DesignIntelligence has named Knowlton School Professor of Architecture and Architecture Section Head Robert Livesey one of the 25 Most Admired Educators. Each year, DesignIntelligence honors excellence in education and education administration by naming 25 exemplary professionals in the disciplines of architecture, interior design and landscape architecture. The 2016-17 class of education role models were selected by DesignIntelligence staff with extensive input from thousands of design professionals, academic department heads and students. Based on data provided by survey participants, the publication sums up Livesey's approach to teaching: "Demanding, intelligent and practical, Livesey has a strong dedication to current and past students, as well as the profession. An inspirational mentor to students, he has a cross border likability second to none. He understands that loyalty is created with a magnet that is used persistently over time."

During a career at Ohio State spanning three decades, Livesey’s dedication to teaching has been recognized on numerous occasions. In addition to being named one of the 30 Most Admired Educators by DesignIntelligence in 2015, he is the recipient of the AIA Ohio Teaching Award, a 2016 Alumni Award for Distinguished Teaching from Ohio State University and, in 2012, was inducted as an honorary member of Class 106 of the SPHINX Senior Class Honorary, nominated by current student members of the organization and its alumni in recognition of his unparalleled impact on and service to the university. To recognize Livesey’s 30 year legacy of teaching and leadership at Ohio State, Knowlton School alumnus Navy Banvard (BSARCH ’82) created the Robert S. Livesey Teaching Award Endowment Fund, which will provide annual awards to Knowlton faculty who excel in teaching and demonstrate a commitment to our students beyond the classroom.