A donation by Knowlton School alumnus Navy Banvard (BSARCH ’82) has created the Robert S. Livesey Teaching Award Endowment Fund. Banvard will match other donations up to $125,000, with the goal of creating a $250,000 endowment that will be used to provide annual awards which recognize Knowlton faculty who excel in teaching and demonstrate commitment to our students beyond the classroom.

Banvard developed the Livesey Fund to recognize Rob Livesey’s 30 year legacy of teaching and leadership at Ohio State, and the key role he has played in building the school’s national and international reputation. During those three decades, Livesey has served as departmental chair and section head of architecture and as school director. It was during his tenure as director that Knowlton Hall was built. Livesey is the recipient of several teaching and design awards, including the AIA Ohio Teaching Award and the AIA Ohio 2010 Gold Medal Award. He is a Fellow of the American Institute of Architects and of the American Academy in Rome. Livesey was recently named one of the 30 Most Admired Educators for 2015 by the publication DesignIntelligence.

Navy Banvard is a founding principal at Van Tilburg, Banvard & Soderbergh, AIA (VTBS Architects), where he manages the daily activities of the firm.  VTBS Architects is based in Santa Monica, California, with offices in San Jose, California and Denver, Colorado.  Banvard is a recognized expert in the areas of land planning, housing design and the creation of livable communities. To date, his projects have garnered over 30 design awards. In addition, Banvard presents educational seminars to the building and design professions. In 2008, Banvard was recognized as a Distinguished Alumnus of the Knowlton School. Currently, he serves as co-chair of the school’s Capital Campaign Committee.