The Rice School of Architecture is proud to announce that Frank S. Kelly, FAIA (B.A. ’64, B.Arch. ’65), and Lynda H. Kelly (B.A. ’64, M.A. ’70, Ph.D. ’74) have been awarded the 2025 Dean’s Medal of Honor, which recognizes individuals whose vision, commitment, and generosity have had a lasting impact on the built environment and the school itself.
The Kellys’ extraordinary contributions to architecture, education, and Rice University have shaped both fields and the communities they serve. Their recent historic estate gift to the Rice School of Architecture—one of the largest in the school’s history—will sustain and expand the school’s mission, fostering architectural innovation through the future endowment of a faculty chair and supporting critical discourse and international experiences in France and beyond.
Frank S. Kelly, an esteemed architect and mentor, has championed design excellence throughout his career, contributing to projects that have redefined architectural practice and discourse. His long-standing commitment to Rice includes service on the William Ward Watkin Advisory Council, where he played a pivotal role in advancing the school’s vision and strengthening its connections to the architectural community.
Lynda H. Kelly, a Rice alumna with three degrees in French, has long been an advocate for design, education, and the arts. Her work in cultural and civic spheres, including as a longtime lecturer at the Women’s Institute of Houston, has had a profound impact on the city, and her steadfast belief in the power of architecture to shape communities has been instrumental in supporting emerging voices and new ideas within the discipline.
“Frank S. and Lynda H. Kelly’s generosity, mentorship, and leadership exemplify the highest ideals of the Dean’s Medal,” said Igor Marjanović, William Ward Watkin Dean of the Rice School of Architecture. “Their historic estate gift will transform the future of architectural education at Rice, ensuring that our students and faculty continue to push the boundaries of design, research, and practice internationally.”
The Dean’s Medal of Honor was established in 2023 by Dean Marjanović to recognize individuals whose commitment to architecture extends beyond professional achievements to encompass mentorship, scholarship, and advocacy for the discipline. Frank S. Kelly and Lynda H. Kelly join an esteemed list of past recipients whose influence has shaped the trajectory of the school and the profession at large, including H. Russell Pitman ’58 and Raymond Brochstein, B.A. ’55, B.S. ’56 (awarded posthumously). The 2025 Dean’s Medal of Honor will be awarded during the school’s annual Awards Ceremony on Wednesday, April 30, 2025, at 5 p.m. in the Rice School of Architecture Smith Courtyard.