Honoring a friend, AUD alumni establish the Class of 1983 Jack C. Green Endowed Fellowship in Architecture and Urban Design

More than forty years after graduating from UCLA Architecture and Urban Design, a cohort of AUD alumni have created a lasting tribute to one of their own.

Established in memory of their friend and classmate Jack C. Green (1956 - 2023), the Class of 1983 Jack C. Green Endowed Fellowship in Architecture and Urban Design will provide ongoing support for UCLA AUD students for generations to come. The fully endowed fellowship reflects not only Green's legacy, but also the enduring friendships and shared commitment that have defined the AUD alumni community for decades.

The fellowship grew from a collective effort led by AUD alumni Robert Keller and Dennis Whelan, who brought together other classmates to establish the fund. The fellowship was celebrated during Rumble60, UCLA AUD's 60th anniversary celebration. UCLA AUD extends its gratitude to Karen Krygier for generously hosting alumni and friends for lunch before the celebration and to Emily Green, Jack's wife, for joining classmates in honoring his memory.

Twenty-seven individuals contributed to the fellowship, reflecting the camaraderie of a cohort that has remained closely connected long after graduation. An anonymous donor further amplified the effort by offering a $30,000 matching gift challenge, which the class successfully met, allowing the fellowship to reach full endowment.

"My motivation for establishing the fellowship arose from our class's long-standing friendships and affection for one another as the decades passed," Whelan says. "This fellowship distills that most important experience coming from our time at UCLA: knowing one another."

For UCLA AUD, the fellowship represents more than financial support for students. It reflects the impact of an architectural education that extends well beyond graduation, fostering relationships that continue to shape lives, communities, and the future of the school itself.

As generations of students benefit from the Class of 1983 Jack C. Green Endowed Fellowship in Architecture and Urban Design, Jack's memory—and the generosity of the classmates who chose to honor him—will continue to inspire future members of the UCLA AUD community.

"This is a remarkable achievement that will support UCLA students for generations to come," said AUD Chair Mariana Ibañez. "We are deeply grateful for this lasting investment in our students and for honoring Jack's legacy."

Jack C. Green was born in Morrilton, Arkansas, before his family moved to Southern California when he was a child. He earned a BArch degree from California State Polytechnic University Pomona, then his MArch degree at UCLA AUD. After working in architecture for several years, Green moved into special-effects design for film and television and computer-aided-design software.

Every endowed fund begins with a story. If you've been inspired to honor a mentor, loved one, or your own UCLA Arts experience through an endowed gift, we'd welcome the opportunity to help you create a lasting legacy. Please contact Development@arts.ucla.edu