Department of Architecture, Urban Planning + Design creates fund to honor nationally-known professor and architect

Kansas City, Mo. – Theodore Seligson, FAIA emeritus and visiting professor in the University of Missouri-Kansas City (UMKC) College of Arts and SciencesDepartment of Architecture, Urban Planning + Design (AUP+D), is nationally known for his achievements in architecture, urban design and higher education in Kansas City. To honor Seligson’s contributions to architecture and design, the faculty and advisory board of AUP+D and Seligson’s friends recently established the Seligson Fund for AUP+D.

The fund will provide financial backing for lectures, special events and other projects that support and advance the AUP+D program. Through the endowment, AUP+D faculty hope to support a continuing dialogue on design and the built environment, which will be informative and of interest to the public and will enrich Kansas City for generations to come.

Seligson received his professional degree in Architecture and has taught at Washington University in St. Louis. He has received more than 25 national, regional and local awards for his projects.

For more than 40 years, Seligson served as principal at his Kansas City, Mo.-based architectural firm, which is known as one of the most innovative design practices in the Midwest. Before establishing his firm, he was head of design at Kivett & Myers – a well-known Kansas City architectural firm. While working there, he designed Temple B’Nai Jehudah Sanctuary at 69th and Holmes Streets. This temple sanctuary gained international recognition and was displayed at an exhibit at The Museum of Modern Art in New York. Kivett & Myers also designed Katz Hall, which now houses AUP+D at 5005 Rockhill Rd.

Instrumental and a leader in the U.S. preservation movement, Seligson has served as president (1989), board member (1978-1994) and vice president (1988) of the Native Sons and Daughters of Kansas City. He also served as a board member of the Historic Kansas City Foundation and Friends of Sacred Structures. He participated in the establishment of the Landmark Commission of Kansas City, Mo., and was instrumental in the designation of the first seven buildings in Kansas City, Mo. that were listed on the National Register of Historic Places. He served as president of the Missouri Valley Chapter of the Society of Architectural Historians (1973-1975). He also is mentioned in the Congressional Record for his influence to save and restore the West Front of the United States Capitol.

If you wish to contribute to the Seligson Fund, contact Karen English at (816) 235-1139 or englishk@umkc.edu.

The University of Missouri-Kansas City (UMKC), one of four University of Missouri campuses, is a public university serving more than 15,000 undergraduate, graduate and professional students. UMKC engages with the community and economy based on a four-part mission: life and health sciences; visual and performing arts; urban issues and education; and a vibrant learning and campus life experience. For more information about UMKC, visit www.umkc.edu. You can also find us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter and watch us on YouTube.


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