By Liam Otten. The Sam Fox School of Design & Visual Arts at Washington University in St. Louis honored six outstanding architecture and art alumni at its second annual Awards for Distinction dinner April 23.

The awards recognize graduates who have demonstrated creativity, innovation, leadership and vision through their contributions to the practices of art and architecture, as well as to Washington University and the Sam Fox School.

"The awards dinner is one of the Sam Fox School's most important events of the year and a crucial way to recognize the career achievements of our alumni and friends," notes Carmon Colangelo, dean of the Sam Fox School and E. Desmond Lee Professor for Collaboration in the Arts. "Honorees are selected by their fellow alumni and by current faculty and professionals in related fields."

Recipients of the 2009 Award for Distinction are Ralph Cunningham, AIA (BA 1983) of Washington, D.C.; Ann Fertig Freedman (BFA 1971) of New York; Tom Friedman (BFA 1988) of Leverett, MA; and Harry C. Kendall, AIA (BA 1978) of New York.

In addition, Sara Velas (BFA 1999) of Los Angeles received the 2009 Young Alumni Award. Judy Pfaff (FA71) of New York will receive the Dean's Medal for distinguished service to the school.