Real-World Preparation Led to Her Dream Career in Architecture

She advanced the baton as a track star. Now, Benedictine handed her the baton to advance in life.

Anna Campbell came to Benedictine College in Atchison, Kansas, from Costa Mesa, California, where she is from. In May she received her degree and now she resides in Houston.

“After graduation, I am beginning a full-time job with Curtis & Windham Architects in Houston,” she said. “I will be working with a team on all aspects of each project, from initial site assessments and master planning to schematic design development and construction management.”

Campbell is ecstatic to be working where she is. “Preparing for a job with a firm I admire so much has been both affirming and humbling,” she said.

She credits the mission of community, faith and scholarship at Benedictine College for preparing her so well.

As for community, she was an all-conference athlete in track and field and juggled that with her work as a Resident Assistant.

“In athletics, I had coaches who believed in me and gave me the opportunity to try new events, which allowed me to achieve greater things in the sport than I ever expected to, she said.

“I was constantly supported by teammates willing to cover my conflicts and by a very kind residence hall director,” she added. “In my personal life, I have friends who witness my failings but respond only with greater love and generosity.”

As for faith, she took advantage of what Benedictine College has to offer with daily Mass and confession and perpetual Eucharistic adoration.

“One of the most valuable lessons I learned at Benedictine is that, while it is very important to hold yourself to a high standard of work and character, you can find forgiveness and a second chance when you fall short,” she said.

As a project in Architecture, she designed a park setting of a shrine to Mary, Mother of God — both the 8-foot-tall charcoal rendering shown, and a planned watercolor in its setting in a city park.

But scholarship, both inside and outside the classroom, is what aimed her at success in the end.

“In academics, I had professors who challenged me but also rewarded adventurousness, giving me the chance to resolve unfinished ideas through essay revisions and project critiques,” she said.

“Professor [John] Haigh and the Architecture Department have done a tremendous job educating and forming their students,” she added. “They have also created many opportunities for students to exhibit their work publicly, resulting in many admirers from great classical firms.”

A Wrought Substance Design Studio internship in Dallas was important to her development, she said “I worked to draft room designs from given sketches or from inspiration photos and researched precedent for various projects,” she said. “I also took and documented measurements on site and observed meetings with clients and contractors.”

Next up in her life, she says, “I am excited to get into detail work in residences. I also look forward to talking about the work with other architects — most have strong opinions formed by unique educational backgrounds and varied experience which are very interesting to listen to and discuss.”

Overall, she said, it was the people bought-in to its dynamic mission that made the difference for her at Benedictine College.

In short, she said, “The Benedictine community has been hugely formative and has set me up for lifelong success and happiness. I could not be more grateful for my time here.”

By Editorial Staff