Auburn University School of Architecture Head David Hinson received the Educator Honor Award at the American Institute of Architecture Students (AIAS) Grassroots national convention in Washington, D.C.

The award was one of many for Hinson in 2007. Hinson’s work on the DESIGNhabitat 2 manufactured home collaboration with Habitat for Humanity garnered him and his students’ American Institute of Architects (AIA) awards on the state and national level, including the Special Housing Award at the AIA’s national convention.

“It is a great honor to be nominated by our students for national recognition and I’m surprised and pleased to receive the Educator Honor Award,” Hinson said. “Recognition like this is one of the most satisfying experiences any teacher can have.”

The Educator Honor Award comes as a result of Hinson’s efforts as a professor in the classroom and as faculty advisor to the Auburn AIAS chapter.

“Many former students cite him as the professor that they learned the most from,” Auburn architecture graduate Cayce Bean said in her letter supporting Hinson’s nomination. “When teaching, it is clear that Professor Hinson’s philosophy is that the student should be the center of the discussion. He is here to educate the students and through that process educate himself. I can think of no other professor at Auburn that is more dedicated to the quality of student life and education than Professor Hinson.”

Hinson joined the College of Architecture, Design & Construction (CADC) in 1997 after working in private practice in Philadelphia and was named head of the School of Architecture in 2007.

Hinson teaches upper-level design studios, lecture courses in construction technology and professional practice, and seminars on leadership and civic engagement. In addition, he is actively engaged in research into the evolving challenges of architectural practice and how higher education can best prepare students to succeed as professionals and as community leaders.

Hinson has also been active in local, regional and national AIA programs and initiatives – including leading the effort to establish the Young Architects Forum, co-founding AIA Philadelphia’s Community Design Collaborative, leading the AIA’s Educator-Practitioner Network, and serving as an IDP Educator Coordinator.

Hinson holds a Master of Architecture degree from the University of Pennsylvania and a Bachelor of Architecture degree from Auburn University. He is a registered architect in Alabama and Pennsylvania and holds an NCARB Certificate.