Annual Scholarships

Al French Scholarship -

History of the Scholarship: Alfred W. French practiced what he preached. Mr. French strongly believed in lifelong education. While a student at Princeton University in 1953, the well-known Naples architect, wrote to his family that be believed “The real education in life is the education of life. A scholastic degree from a university is only a small step in preparing one's self for the job of living on one's own. But the education of life never- or rather should never cease“

Mr. French was a leader in his profession and in his community for over 40 years as an architect, teacher and volunteer. His achievements reflected a passionate commitment to professional excellence and community service.

As the principle in his firm Alfred French and Associates, Mr. French designed numerous important buildings in Naples and he led efforts to obtain city and council approval for the Fifth Avenue revitalization plan of downtown Naples, the most sweeping proposal for redevelopment in the city's history. This transformed downtown Naples into a thriving entertainment and shopping district with restaurants, street cafes, and a performing arts center. He was also instrumental in working with the Naples City Council to develop a master plan for Cambier Park and collaborated with the Naples Art Association to design an art center that has become a cultural center of the community. Mr. French designed many important buildings in Naples including the Von Liebig Art Center, Gulfview Middle School and several private residences in the Port Royal neighborhood.

Mr. French had a philosophy that citizens should guide their community's development through volunteer effort, whereby citizens donate their time and skills to achieve their dreams of what their community should be. Naples Mayor Bill Barnett said of Mr. French, “He was a true community leader. He donated a lot of time and talent to make Naples a better place to live.”

It is with this spirit that the Southwest Florida Chapter of the AIA is pleased to announce that Mr. French's three children have established the Alfred W. French Scholarship to honor their father's strength of character, his integrity, and deep appreciation for education and culture.

Gulfshore Life Scholarship

AWARD:  One Award of $1,000 for the Academic School Year
 
ELGIBILITY
Applicants must be:
A resident of Southwest Florida, with their permanent address in Charlotte, Collier, Glades,
Hendry, or Lee County;
Entering the 2nd year or higher architecture student pursuing a professional degree at an
NAAB-accredited program of architecture (a list of the programs can be found at
www.naab.org.
Able to demonstrate aptitude for the profession through grades and design work.
Architecture students entering their first year of architecture school are ineligible.

If you know of anyone eligible for this scholarship, please contact Chris Ressler at webmaster@aiaflasw.org

This information is also available in .pdf format here.