October 5, 2009 — Karen Van Lengen, former dean of the University of Virginia's School of Architecture and William R. Kenan Jr. Professor of Architecture, has won the 2009 Award for Distinguished Achievement given by the Virginia Society of the American Institute of Architects.

An announcement from the society notes some of Van Lengen's accomplishments as dean: "At the University of Virginia, Van Lengen encouraged the development of research among her faculty and students by supporting both traditional and non-traditional activities. Her most notable collective research achievement, dubbed 'Campbell Constructions,' was a 10-year initiative to reinvigorate the physical environment of the school. She selected faculty, students and alumni to rebuild and add to the school in a series of 12 design projects that exemplify the regional design community's diversity of talent and serve as a physical embodiment of the school's mission, while also offering exemplary solutions that complement the University's World Heritage Site – Thomas Jefferson's Academical Village."

The award will be presented Nov. 6 at the Visions for Architecture Gala hosted by the Virginia Center for Architecture Foundation in Richmond.