Barranco Traveling Fellowship

December 15, 2011

Dear Friends and Colleagues of Michael Barranco,

The family of Michael Barranco - along with friends, business colleagues, and organizations around the state of Mississippi - has established an endowed fellowship within the Mississippi State University Foundation in Michael’s honor.  This endowed fellowship will reside within the Mississippi State University School of Architecture and will annually support an outstanding undergraduate Architecture student with demonstrated financial need.

A 1985 graduate of the MSU School of Architecture, Michael was a devoted promoter of the profession of architecture as a benefactor of communities and people.  Michael had a passion for the importance of travel that opened the architectural world to students and prospective students of architecture.  Michael was convinced that the opportunity to see, sketch, and experience important works of architecture is critical for the development of a student’s architectural education, the continuation of their passion for the art, and a holistic understanding of the place architecture holds in cultures and societies through the span of time.  The spirit and purpose of the Michael Barranco Endowed Memorial Fellowship is to provide funds for students in the School of Architecture to have this experience through travel.  The fellowship is open to Mississippi State University Architecture students that are participating in travel programs sponsored by the School that focus on experiencing significant works of architecture.  These programs include the design studio field trips, domestic or international travel, and study abroad programs offered by the School of Architecture.

We invite you to consider making a gift to this fund that requires a minimum of $25,000 to establish an endowment in Michael’s honor.  Contributions made by check should be made out to the Michael Barranco Endowed Memorial Fellowship and mailed to the MSU Foundation, P.O. Box 6149, Mississippi State, MS, 39762.  Electronic contributions can be made at www.msufoundation.com.  Should you have any questions or wish to contribute by phone, please call Lynn Shurden Durr at the MSU Foundation at 662.325.8918.  We thank you in advance for your generosity in Michael’s honor and the difference it will make in the lives of architecture students for years to come.

Sincerely,

Jim West, AIA
Dean
College of Architecture, Art, & Design
Mississippi State University

Jim West, AIA
Dean, College of Architecture, Art, and Design
899 Collegeview Street  240 Giles Hall 
PO Box AQ
Mississippi State, MS 39762
Tel: 662-325-2202