NEWSLETTER - December 6, 2024

Blessed Are Those Who Plant Trees Under Whose Shade They Will Never Sit

As a junior, John convinced me to apply for the Historic American Building Survey (HABS), a program to which he dedicated 25 years of service, leading projects across the US and abroad. Thanks to John's recommendation, I was hired and placed in Old San Juan, Puerto Rico, on a team led by John. We documented the amazing Castillo San Felipe del Morro, which protects the entrance to Old San Juan. That summer, we produced impressive historical drawings of El Morro, which are now in the Library of Congress. I learned that summer the value of great leadership. As our leader, John taught us how to deliver under challenging circumstances and how a great leader did so while remaining calm and positive. Yes, even outside the classroom, John was planting trees.

Since John's passing, people have asked what made him so special. For me, it was his willingness to invest in others. John changed my life with his mentorship, and he did the same for hundreds, possibly thousands, of other students. Few people are as selfless as John, and I was fortunate to experience his generosity. Last year, I had the opportunity to speak to the students at Texas Tech, and I told them the most important thing they could have was a mentor. My mentor, John White, was in the front row, keeping me honest during my presentation. He wasn’t just someone who invested in me… he always showed up for me too.

Just a few weeks ago, we gathered to celebrate John and his twin brother, Jim White, at a gala event. They shared stories about their lives, careers, and Texas Tech. It was a magical evening, and I could have listened to their stories all night. Reflecting on those stories, I thought—this is what a life well-lived looks like. It's what we all aspire to, and John Poston White truly lived that life.

As we say goodbye to John, we’re reminded of the old proverb “Blessed are those who plant trees under whose shade they will never sit.” This was his legacy – planting seeds of kindness, wisdom, and love that will continue growing long after today. May we honor his memory by becoming planters of trees ourselves!

- Christopher M. Huckabee, AIA

In the fall of 1998, I got to know John Poston White as a senior colleague, mentor, friend, and later as a neighbor. Together, John and I advised many thesis students, typically their last major project before graduating and entering the profession. During these advising sessions, I was able to know John not merely as a colleague occasionally passing by; I got to know John’s deep knowledge of architecture and his keen sense for history. But also, perhaps more importantly, his extraordinary sense of pedagogy and his way of critiquing a student’s work in a constructive and optimistic manner.

John’s interests were in all aspects of architectural design and in his specialty of historic preservation. John was curious and kind. Few of us get to live such a long and distinguished career in architectural education. John joined the Department of Architecture in 1973 and stepped down from full-time teaching in 2018. John’s presence never left the college. He actively participated in our lecture series and attended local AIA meetings. John was an active member of the American Institute of Architects (AIA) and the Historic American Buildings Survey (HABS). John’s scholarly pursuit of historic preservation made him an authority in the state and the nation. His engagement with the National Park Service and his expertise in documenting architectural structures of historic significance through drawings were notable. In the first decade of this century, John was at the center of the college’s historic preservation program. He established a vital culture of combining his research interest in historic preservation with his teaching, enabling students to travel and visit landmarks both within and outside the nation. John’s connections made it possible for TTU to scan the Statue of Liberty in New York, perhaps John’s most prominent preservation project, which placed the college and TTU on the national map. Other prominent projects include the Charles Goodnight Ranch House, the Four Sixes Ranch House, a site in Big Bend National Park, a structure in Puerto Rico, a historic location near Chaco Canyon, and George Washington’s tent, among others. John was ahead of his time; for John, it was self-evident to combine his research interest with his teaching. He inspired many colleagues to follow his example. John was one of the first to set an example for the college in how to collaborate, be awarded grants, and instill a culture of research and teaching to the benefit of all—students, colleagues, and the discipline of architecture and historic preservation.

For over five decades, together with his twin brother Jim, John attended the TxA Annual Conference and was a fixture at our alumni reception, reconnecting and maintaining friendships with our alumni and inquiring about their latest professional accomplishments. Colleagues from other schools in Texas stopped by our reception, many because of John, who looked beyond one’s alma mater, and whose expertise was well known among Texas schools. John’s kindhearted personality knew no boundaries and naturally attracted those who sought his expertise. Having served the college for 45 years is special; to have taught thousands of students, mentored dozens of colleagues, and worked in the state, the nation, and around the globe is truly exceptional.

- Dean Upe Flueckiger

As part of the gala event to honor Jim & John White, an endowment was established in their honor to support graduate students. To date this endowment has raised over $400,000.00.

To make a gift to the Jim and John White Graduate Fellowship by check:

Make check payable to: Texas Tech Foundation, Inc.

In the memo line, include: Jim and John White Graduate Fellowship

Mail to:

Texas Tech University Office of Advancement

Attn: Alicia Knight

Box 42010

Lubbock, TX 79409

The Huckabee College of Architecture extends our deepest condolences to John's family and loved ones. We ask that you continue to keep them in your thoughts and prayers.

To make a gift online:

Click the direct link here: James E. White, AIA and John P. White, AIA Graduate Fellowship

HCOA students from both our Lubbock and El Paso campuses have successfully completed their final reviews for the fall semester of 2024!

Congratulations, students and faculty, for your exceptional work this semester!

We would also like to extend our gratitude to the guest reviewers for their contributions and for traveling to participate in our final reviews, as well as to the faculty and staff whose support helped us end the semester on a high note-sincere thanks to all.

Assistant Professor Dr. Asma Mehan and Ph.D. student Sadaf Alikhani presented their collaborative research at the United in Research Cross-Disciplinary Doctoral Conference on November 15, 2024.

The presentation, titled "Art for Community and Culture: Making Art and Urban Planning for Social Cohesion and Development in Lubbock and El Paso," explored the transformative role of art and urban planning in promoting social cohesion and cultural development. The research highlighted innovative approaches to urban design that address the needs of diverse demographics, using art as a medium to strengthen community bonds and cultural identity.

Join the Huckabee College of Architecture for the Fall 2024 End of Semester Show on December 6th, 2024, at the LHUCA Icehouse Gallery as part of Lubbock's First Friday Art Trail!

Date: Friday, December 6th, 2024

Time: 6:00 - 9:00 PM CT

Location: LHUCA Icehouse Gallery: 511 Avenue J, Lubbock, TX 79401

WE LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU THERE!

Assistant Professor Dr. Asma Mehan and Natalia Dominguez have co-authored an article in the journal Frontiers in Sociology, titled, “Feminism in the Borderscape: Juarense Women Against Injustice.”

This article examines the feminist movement in Ciudad Juárez, Mexico, focusing on how Juarense women have mobilized against systemic challenges such as machismo, feminicide, and the exploitative impacts of the multi-national industries. Grounded in feminist legal theory, the research advocates for transformative reforms to combat gender violence, exploitation, and promote justice. “Feminism in the Borderscape" advances critical social justice issues through collaborative, interdisciplinary research, further amplifying the voices of women in global feminist movements.

Ciudad Juarez has been known for its feminicides for the past two decades. From 2016 to 2020, reporter María Salguero documented the locations where the bodies of women were discovered. The majority of these cases were concentrated near the city's downtown area, as shown in the map below.

To read the full article, access the link here.

Juarez feminicide map image created by Dr. Asma Mehan and Natalia Dominguez.

Assistant Professor Dr. Asma Mehan, in collaboration with Hooshmand Alizadeh, Josef Kohlbacher, and Zahed Yousefi, has published an article in European Planning Studies by Taylor and Francis Publisher.

The article, titled "Kurdish Women’s Interactions in European Urban Public Space and the Extent of Their Social Integration," examines the experiences of Kurdish migrant women in urban settings, focusing on the cities of Vienna and Cologne. The research addresses the critical role of urban public spaces in fostering social interactions and inclusion while also analyzing the challenges and barriers these women face in their efforts to integrate into their host communities.

The study reveals that frequent use of public spaces and participation in meaningful community activities are closely associated with greater social inclusion. While feelings of safety and barriers in accessing these spaces are highlighted, they do not show a direct correlation with integration levels, underscoring the complexity of these factors. The findings emphasize the importance of tailored, city-specific strategies that improve access to public spaces and promote social activities, creating more inclusive urban environments. This research provides insights into the intersection of migration, gender, and public space design, contributing to the development of policies and practices aimed at enhancing social inclusion for immigrant communities.

To read the full article, access the link here.

Donations are critical to the advancement of our program. With your contributions, we can fund our merit-based scholarships, recruit extraordinary faculty, fund research endeavors and improve our facilities. No gift is too small to make an impact on our students, faculty, and staff. If you're interested in giving, the Texas Tech University Office of Institutional Advancement has a convenient web portal for making secure, online donations to one of the established Huckabee College of Architecture funds. Click here to donate.

If you're not already, follow us on Instagram, X, and Facebook for the latest updates from the HCOA and be sure to like and share our content within your own networks! Do you have news or updates to share? Email architecture.communications@ttu.edu for a possible feature in the next newsletter!