NOMAarizona Scholarship Donation
John Reese Williams (1957-2017), was one of the founding members of NOMAarizona. Born in Tempe, Arizona, John was proud of his multicultural Mexican/Japanese background as well as his devotion to his husband, Ernie Mack and family. John had a passion for architecture since grade school. A graduate of Arizona State University with a degree in Architecture, he was selected by the faculty to receive the Alpha Rho Chi Medal. Upon graduation, he made prolific contributions to the practice of architecture as evidenced by his completion of a vast array of building types, including ones of lasting and historic significance.
John’s “project of a lifetime” was serving as the Architect of Record for Los Angeles’s Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels, the largest cathedral in the United States, completed in 2002. Other notable projects include the Phoenix Convention Center Expansion and the award-willing Renaissance Hotel Renovation in Downtown Phoenix.
During his career of over 30 years, he continuously contributed to the betterment of his profession and his community. John constantly mentored many entry and mid-career design professionals. A passionate supporter of education and his alma mater, John served on the ASU Alumni Board and later as president of the Architecture School Alumni Group.
It is in the spirit of John’s passion and commitment to family, friends, the community and his profession that NOMAarizona proudly provides this scholarship. This scholarship is made possible through donations from colleagues in the community and in conjunction with The NOMA Foundation.
The NOMAarizona John Williams Memorial Scholarship is intended to promote the benefits and educational values of diversity in the student body within the design school by providing financial assistance to a nomas asu or nomaarizona student member that embodies the mission of NOMAarizona.