John Cuningham

College of Design, September 23, 2021

John Cuningham, a dedicated volunteer and supporter of the University of Minnesota for more than five decades, received a bachelor of arts degree in architecture (1962) from the School of Architecture, now the College of Design at the University of Minnesota. He is the founder of Cuningham, one of the most awarded architectural firms in Minneapolis and a top employer of College of Design alumni. For more than 17 years, Cuningham taught at the University while he managed his business. Eventually, he stepped away from teaching but continued to support internships, mentor students and new professionals, and helped to foster shared passion for architecture and the belief that design can profoundly change the world. He has demonstrated his commitment to diversity through hiring and mentoring women architects and architects of color. In his retirement, Cuningham continues volunteer work that includes supporting and hosting Minneapolis’ first-ever Architectural Youth Program, an after school outreach program that introduces minority, female, and at-risk students to architecture and design. Cuningham has a long and active history of service on a variety of college and University boards and committees, including the University of Minnesota Alumni Association (UMAA) National Board (2005-11) and the Design Student and Alumni Board during this same time period. He served on the College of Architecture and Landscape Architecture National Advisory Board in the late 1990s-early 2000s; he has served as a member of the College of Design Dean’s Advisory Board since 2018; and he has supported various fundraising efforts and is currently a member of the college’s 15th Anniversary Planning Committee.

Biographies are as-of time of award presentation.