Gala Awardees Announced
APRIL 16, 2025
BY Tulane School of Architecture and Built Environment
Four individuals who embody leadership and advocacy in the built environment will be honored on Thursday, April 24, at the 2025 Tulane School of Architecture and Built Environment's Awards Gala. The gala celebrates the achievements of the school's students, faculty, alumni and friends — all while supporting student scholarships.
Held at the newly renovated Richardson Memorial Hall — home to the School of Architecture and Built Environment — the event includes live music, awards ceremony, seated dinner and reception.
The 2025 Gala Awardees are:
Errol Barron, FAIA, (A ’64), will be receiving the first Faculty Luminary Award in recognition of his outstanding contributions to architecture and education. A distinguished architect, educator, and artist, Barron has left a lasting impact on Tulane and the architectural community through his award-winning work, decades of teaching, and creative endeavors.
The Tulane School of Architecture and Built Environment is honored to present Gayle Benson with the Friend of the School Award in recognition of her visionary leadership and unwavering commitment to the Gulf South. As owner of the New Orleans Saints and Pelicans, she has led both teams to success while investing in major renovations like the $560 million Caesars Superdome project and securing future Super Bowls for the city. A dedicated philanthropist, she has donated millions to disaster relief, healthcare, and education, including support for Ochsner’s Gayle and Tom Benson Cancer Center, the Gayle and Tom Benson Ochsner Children’s Hospital, and Catholic charities. Beyond sports, she has played a transformative role in New Orleans’ economic and cultural landscape through Benson Capital Partners, real estate investments, and the restoration of St. Louis Cathedral. Mrs. Benson’s enduring impact on the city and region exemplifies the spirit of this award, and we look forward to celebrating her contributions at the Awards Gala.
Robert Ivy, FAIA (A ’76), will be honored with the first Distinguished Alumni Award for his outstanding contributions to the field architecture. As the former CEO of the American Institute of Architects and past editor-in-chief of Architectural Record, Ivy has made a lasting impact through his leadership, advocacy, and scholarship.
Mitch Landrieu will receive the Advocate for Architecture and the City Award for his leadership as a public servant and former senior advisor to President Biden, where he oversaw the implementation of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, managing over 70,000 projects nationwide. As a two-term mayor of New Orleans, he led the city’s recovery efforts, removed Confederate monuments, and founded E Pluribus Unum to bridge divides across the American South.
The Awards Gala will feature The Rumble as the musical guests, a dynamic group of seven GRAMMY-nominated musicians who blend New Orleans funk with electrifying brass, creating a live experience that celebrates both the legacy and vibrant evolution of the Mardi Gras Indian culture.
For more information, visit the Awards Gala event page tulane.giving.edu/TuSAGala2025.
Related
School introduces new name as its renovated home reopens
Reflecting a decade of evolution in transformative education, research and design, the Tulane University School of Architecture is expanding its name to the Tulane University School of Architecture and Built Environment. The new name announcement follows the completion of a major renovation and expansion of the school’s campus home, Richardson Memorial Hall.
Richardson Memorial Hall reopens after major expansion and renovation
Richardson Memorial Hall, one of the oldest buildings on Tulane University’s uptown campus and home to the School of Architecture since 1968, has been given a new life – reopening to students, faculty and staff after a four-year renovation and expansion.