University of the District of Columbia Announces 2018 Alumni Award Winners

Michael Marshall has been nominated and selected to receive the 2018 UDC Alumni Award for Professional Accomplishments. The award honors alumni who have made exemplary contributions to their profession. The annual recognition will be held Friday, November 16 in conjunction with the University’s homecoming celebration. Michael attended UDC in the 1970s when it was a 2-year college. He speaks very proudly and fondly of his time there and of the community he found at UDC, which inspired him to complete his studies, eventually earning a Bachelor’s degree in architecture from The Catholic University and Master’s degree from Yale University.  At UDC, he was inspired by many, including long-time faculty member Clarence Pearson, who Michael says helped him buy his first suit.  When Michael was asked to come back to the University to design its student center, he called it “a great honor and privilege.”  He spoke at the dedication of the completed building in 2016, calling on students to remember to “give back” to the University.

Michael’s architectural illustration of the UDC Student Center is currently on display at the National Museum of African American History and Culture.   “As a young boy growing up here in Washington, D.C., I loved drawing and design. I could only have dreamed that a career contributing to the renaissance of our city would have led me to this meaningful moment.”

Update:  In addition to Michael Marshall’s recognition for professional accomplishments in Architecture, other notable alumni who were honored for their professional accomplishments on Friday, November 16  included:  Myesha Carter (School of Arts and Sciences), Kenneth Ellerbe (School of Business and Public Administration), Rachel Hughes (School of Engineering and Applied Science) and Lamara Perry (UDC Community College).