Kermit D. Thompson’s Connecticut Architecture Foundation leadership and commitment to education have helped architects pursue licensure, improved school-design process, shaped architecture students’ design thinking, provided scholarships, and introduced built-environment fundamentals to elementary school students.
Leading the Connecticut Architecture Foundation (CAF)
For 28 years, Kermit Thompson has led the CAF as a board member and officer, growing the organization to its current stature as an endowed Foundation dedicated to raising public awareness of, and expectations for, architecture and the built environment. To achieve these goals, the CAF primarily provides scholarships, and also funds people and programs in education, mentorship, or research. Kermit’s efforts have improved the organization’s operating structure, fundraising capacity, and importance as a contributing partner in education. He has either chaired or served on the CAF scholarship committee since its inception, held executive offices, including sequences of 4, then 3 years as President, nurtured education efforts like those of the Architecture Resource Center, and founded the annual CAF Gala, a fundraising event that currently combines a public lecture by that year’s Distinguished Leadership Award recipients with a private reception and dinner hosted with the University of Hartford Department of Architecture. Kermit also serves on the AIA/CT Board and serves as a CAF liaison.
Commitment to Professional Education
Kermit’s volunteer efforts in education began 30 years ago when he developed the AIA/CT ARE Preparation course which served numerous participants each year. He counts three current FAIA members among the participants. For those needing additional help, Kermit extended pro-bono, one-to-one tutoring. Each of those students then passed the exam. Starting in 1979, Kermit volunteered to grade NCARB tests. He also helped them evaluate the digital grading process adopted in 1997, making sure that the process delivered high-quality, standards-based grading.
Commitment to University Education
It naturally followed that Kermit would accept invitations to serve as Adjunct Faculty at the University of Hartford Department of Architecture and Central Connecticut State University. He also volunteers as a Master of Architecture University Mentor at the Yale University School of Architecture and the University of Hartford. Kermit’s teaching guides the design-thinking of Master of Architecture students from around the world, helping them to develop a creative problem-solving framework and self-evaluation process that can support their work throughout their careers, wherever they choose to practice. His efforts this year helped one of his University of Hartford mentees, Hajar Aldouri, earn the 2017 Walter Harrison Thesis Award.
Commitment to Design Education for Every Student
Advocating for the Architecture Resource Center’s (ARC) design education, in-class, public school programs, and community festivals since its founding, Kermit has personally and tangentially shared in the ARC’s evolution and success. His early support allowed the ARC to develop under the non-profit status of the CAF. When project grants grew to over $100K, Kermit encouraged the CAF to provide the operational funding necessary to establish the ARC as an independent, nonprofit organization able to apply for funding under its own 501 (c)(3) status. An Advisory Board member since 1992, Kermit continues to support the ARC as a volunteer and advisor. He opens his door to the ARC by providing his office conference room for board meetings as well as sharing precious storage space.
Achievements in Professional Practice
Kermit practiced as a principal and partner in two architecture firms. His design and planning work included major private, institutional, higher education, and government projects, with some winning government, national, and professional organization awards.