William Benjamin

This is a photo of me out in Oregon National Forest Wilderness clearing trail for future hikers. My partner is a Trails Manager for the FS so when I needed to decompress after a long school year, I went out and volunteered. Our means of transportation are tied up in the background.

Degree: MArch

Expected Graduation Date: Spring 2024

Prior Degree
BA in International Studies, Trinity College, Hartford, CT

2022-2023 Scholarship
Bassetti Architects Scholarship

I Am Originally From Hotchkiss, CO

WHY I CAME TO THE UO AND HOW I CHOSE MY MAJOR
I chose the University of Oregon because of the school’s long reputation for proactive, ecologically sustainable design that was hands-on and practical.

I am passionate about ecological regeneration as a tool for combating the worst effects of the Climate Crisis, with a particular focus on rural communities. Creative solutions which revolve around imagining the built environment as a source of positive ecological impact are tantamount in my design intent. This thinking is derived from a permaculture principle which sees the problem as the solution.

UNIQUE QUALITIES I BRING TO MY STUDIES
In my adult years I have become an ever stronger proponent of rural life– public lands, local produce, weekend potlucks, and small town theaters.  My time with the Peace Corps as a sustainable agricultural specialist highlighted the global neglect of rural communities. Both in the US and abroad, these places suffered from a lack of access to education, employment, internet, even electricity, and because of this, they lost population and ecological stewards to urban areas. Now, with an ecological reckoning and remote work technologies, rural communities are turning the tide. Unlike my peers, I do not wish to work in a big city. Instead, as I have done before, I will live and work in rural communities with great farmers markets, crafts people, creative builders, and lovers of the outdoors.

MY INFLUENTIAL PROFESSORS
I have had a number of influential professors here at UO. Like many of my peers, I see Tom Hahn as the professor advancing the program in the direction that fits the future of architecture and the program. He is an energetic advocate for natural building and the Living Building Challenge. He is passionate, organized and technically savvy–a great professor.

MY EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES
The demands of a Masters of Architecture student are so great that there is very little opportunity for other activities during the school year. I only find time to volunteer at the Urban Farm.

MY GREATEST LEARNING EXPERIENCE AT UO
I came to school hoping that the University would respond to the educational needs and direction of the students. In my view, the administration seems to have it’s own academic agenda that isn’t always aligned with the educational objectives of the students. I have learned how to organize with other students to promote change.

AFTER GRADUATION
I will use my College of Design education to become a licensed architect who works with rural communities in the US and abroad. I will design energy, water, and food resilient communities that flip the idea of a “carbon footprint” to something that a person wishes to grow because that carbon footprint will mean sequestered carbon rather than emitted pollutants. I will design schools, eco-villages, farms, bike networks, and libraries, and try to make the world a little more hopeful and green.

YOUR GIFT
This scholarship is important to me because it will help me justify not moving to a big city to make more money. I will be able to help people who are disenfranchised rather than make sure I can pay off my debts.

Thank you.