DeNorval Unthank Jr. facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
DeNorval Unthank Jr.
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| Born | October 27, 1929 Kansas City, Missouri, U.S.
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| Died | November 2, 2000 (aged 71) |
| Occupation | Architect |
| Years active | 1952–2000 |
| Spouse(s) | Doris Burgess Jill Coxon |
| Children | 5 |
DeNorval Unthank Jr. (born October 27, 1929 – died November 2, 2000) was an important American architect. He made history in 1951 as the first Black man to earn an architecture degree from the University of Oregon (UO). Unthank worked on many well-known buildings. These include the courthouse in Lane County, Oregon, McKenzie Hall at the University of Oregon, and Kennedy Junior Middle School in Eugene, Oregon. A building at the University of Oregon, Unthank Hall, is named after him.
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Early Life and School
DeNorval Unthank Jr. was born in Kansas City, Missouri, on October 27, 1929. His parents were Dr. DeNorval Unthank Sr. and Thelma Shipman Unthank. Soon after he was born, his family moved to the Pacific Northwest. His father became one of Portland's first African American doctors. He also helped start the Portland Urban League.
In 1946, Unthank Jr. finished high school at Franklin High School. He then studied for two years at Howard University. After that, he returned to Oregon to attend the University of Oregon.
Marriage and Family
Unthank met Doris Burgess in 1951 while they were both students at the University of Oregon. They got married on July 7, 1951, in the state of Washington. At that time, laws in Oregon made it difficult for people from different backgrounds to marry. They later divorced in 1972.
Unthank later married Jill Coxon. He had five children: Peter, Blaire, Amy, Libby, and Melissa. DeNorval Unthank Jr. passed away on November 2, 2000, from kidney cancer.
Unthank's Career in Architecture
From 1952 to 1955, Unthank designed and built houses with Dick Chambers. Chambers later started his own construction company. In 1955, Unthank began working for Wilmsen Endicott Architects. He became a partner in the firm in 1960. The firm was then called Wilmsen, Endicott and Unthank, Architects.
In 1968, Unthank joined Otto Poticha and Grant Seder to form Unthank Seder Poticha Architects. By 1985, one of his former students, Ed Waterbury, also joined the firm. Unthank designed many different buildings. These included schools, public buildings, and businesses across Oregon. Some of his projects in the Eugene area were J.F. Kennedy Junior High School and Springfield’s Thurston High School. From 1993 to 1998, his firm was known as Unthank Waterbury.
Besides his design work, Unthank also taught architecture. He was a professor at the University of Oregon from 1965 to 1980.
Awards and His Lasting Impact
DeNorval Unthank Jr. received many honors for his work. He won twenty individual awards from the American Institute of Architects (AIA). In 1980, he was named a Fellow of the AIA. This award recognized his excellent design work. His projects included the Lane County Courthouse and the former UO Law School. He also designed buildings at Central Oregon Community College in Bend. Other notable works were the U.S. Consulate Quarters in Fukuoka, Japan, and many banks and private homes in Oregon.
In June 2015, Unthank's name was added to Lawrence Hall at the University of Oregon. The university also announced a special award in his honor. The "Faculty Excellence Award" gives US$5000 each year to support architecture teachers and their research.
Unthank Hall: A Special Honor
In June 2017, the University of Oregon honored Unthank in a big way. They renamed a dormitory after him, calling it "Unthank Hall." This building had previously been named after a Ku Klux Klan leader. Renaming it after Unthank was a way to celebrate his contributions and promote a more inclusive environment.
In May 2021, the University of Oregon decided to move the name "Unthank Hall" to a brand new dormitory building. This new building opened in August 2021, continuing to honor DeNorval Unthank Jr.'s legacy.
