It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Graham F. “Jeff” Shannon, Jr., a distinguished alumnus of the Rice School of Architecture and a beloved figure in the field of architecture. Jeff earned his master of architecture in urban design from Rice University in 1973 and passed away on December 30, 2024, at the age of seventy-eight.
A native of Little Rock, Arkansas, Jeff’s career in architecture was marked by a deep dedication to his home state and to architectural education. He graduated cum laude with a bachelor of architecture from the University of Arkansas in 1970, and early in his career he worked with the renowned architect Fay Jones. In 1977, Jeff cofounded the firm Polk Shannon Stanley in Little Rock, which evolved into Polk Stanley Wilcox Architects, one of Arkansas’s most prominent architecture firms.
Jeff returned to the University of Arkansas in 1979, where he taught architecture for over four decades, shaping the lives of countless students. He served as dean of the Fay Jones School of Architecture from 2000 to 2013, during which time he was instrumental in transforming the school’s facilities, including the renovation of Vol Walker Hall and the addition of the Steven L. Anderson Design Center. His leadership helped elevate the Fay Jones School to national prominence.
Jeff’s achievements were recognized with numerous accolades, including the E. Fay Jones Gold Medal Award from AIA Arkansas in 2014. Twice named one of DesignIntelligence’s 25 Most Admired Educators, he left a lasting legacy as a teacher, mentor, and leader.
A celebration of Jeff’s life and contributions will be held on Saturday, March 1, 2025, at 1 p.m. in Vol Walker Hall on the University of Arkansas campus. Friends, colleagues, and former students are invited to gather and honor his memory.
Rice alumni and members of the William Ward Watkin board fondly remember Jeff for his kindness, intellectual curiosity, and dedication to the architectural profession. As his classmate Dan Bennett shared, “I first met Jeff Shannon in the early 1970s as classmates in Rice’s architecture and urban design program, where he quickly stood out as a smart, thoughtful leader with a unique sense of humor. Decades later, I had the privilege of working with him at the University of Arkansas, where he was a strong faculty leader, an excellent scholar, and an inspiring dean. His presence in my life cannot be replaced, and I will miss him greatly.” Jeff’s legacy as a compassionate mentor, visionary educator, and steadfast friend continues to resonate across the Rice community and beyond.
Jeff’s legacy as an architect and educator will live on through the many lives he touched, the buildings he helped bring to life, and the profound influence he had on architectural education. We extend our heartfelt condolences to his wife, Carole Klugh Shannon; his daughters, Rachel Foshe and Rebecca Webb; his grandchildren; and the extended Shannon family.
Selected Achievements and Legacy
- Graduated cum laude with a bachelor of architecture from the University of Arkansas in 1970.
- Earned a master of architecture in urban design from Rice University in 1973.
- Cofounded Polk Shannon Stanley in 1977, now Polk Stanley Wilcox Architects.
- Dean of the Fay Jones School of Architecture from 2000 to 2013, overseeing transformative renovations and expansions.
- Recipient of the E. Fay Jones Gold Medal Award (2014) and twice named a DesignIntelligence Most Admired Educator.
- Published scholarly articles, including on Gian Lorenzo Bernini, and served as executive editor of a publishing collaboration between the Fay Jones School and the University of Arkansas Press.
Online condolences can be made at Berna Funeral Homes or Legacy.