PILLARS OF ARCHITECTURAL ENGINEERING

Professor Emeritus Gifford H. Albright graduated from Penn StateUniversity in 1953 with a BAE degree and received his S.M. degree from M.I.T. in 1955. Professor Emeritus Albright joined the faculty of PSU-AE in 1958 and from 1963-1983 held the position of Department Head of Architectural Engineering. He was responsible for the development of a master plan for Penn State’s B.A.E. professional degree program. During his time with Penn State, Professor Emeritus Albright, also originated the teaching of computer applications in AE education and obtained NSF funds to establish the CAD lab in the AE department, procured computer equipment, researched in computer design of buildings and initiated the nation’s first course in “Integration of Building Systems” based on computer applications. These innovative concepts are now used throughout the building industry.

During his 20 years as Head of the AE Department, Albright set in place one of the most successful undergraduate programs in the U.S. Albright left his position as Department Head in 1983 to serve as a program director for the National Science Foundation’s Structures and Building System. He also served three years as executive director of the Penn State Consortium for the Advancement of Building Sciences.

In 1996, he was named the recipient of the Outstanding Engineering Alumni Award which is the highest honor conferred by the College of Engineering and recognizes graduates who have reached exceptional levels of professional achievement.

In 2000, he created the Gifford H. Albright Career Development Professorship in Architectural Engineering. This generous bequest provides critical financial support and encouragement for outstanding AE faculty starting their academic career and to encourage the exploration of innovative activities in teaching and research.

Thank you, for all that you’ve given AE. You are truly a pillar of our department!