PVA team members Todd, Brad, Mary Rose, Erin, Lijin, Cathy, and Peter traveled to San Diego to attend the American Institute of Architects (AIA) Conference on Architecture & Design and celebrate the Lyceum Fellowship's 40th Anniversary.

Throughout the conference, staff participated in educational sessions on evolving architectural practice, continuing education courses, site tours, and a variety of professional development opportunities, gaining valuable insights into the future of the profession.

The team also joined in celebrating the Lyceum Fellowship's 40th Anniversary at Sparks Gallery in San Diego's historic Gaslamp District, supporting Peter and Cathy's leadership within the organization. As President of the Lyceum Fellowship, Peter reflected on the organization's 40-year history and its lasting impact on emerging design professionals.

The evening also featured remarks from 2018 First Place Fellow Leslie Finnie, who shared how the fellowship's travel experience influenced her career. Teddy Cruz and Fonna Forman, recipients of the 2026 Cooper Hewitt National Design Award for Climate Action and 2026 program author and jury chairs, introduced this year's competition program. The keynote address was delivered by Marlon Blackwell, FAIA, recipient of the AIA Gold Medal and a past Lyceum Fellowship jury chair and board member, who spoke about the profound influence the Lyceum Fellowship has had on his career and the broader architectural community.