Shirley Jane Vernon facts for kids

Shirley Jane Vernon (born December 9, 1930, died February 27, 2011) was an amazing American architect and a teacher who helped others learn about architecture. She lived and worked in Pennsylvania. In 1976, she received a special honor when she was named a Fellow of the American Institute of Architects, which is a big deal for architects!

Early Life and Education

Shirley Jane Vernon was born in 1930 in a town called Mt. Kisco, New York. Her parents were Joseph Harry Vernon and Marion (Maher) Vernon.

She went to Lower Merion High School in Ardmore, Pennsylvania. After high school, she studied at Pennsylvania State University. In 1953, she earned her degree in Architecture.

Shirley Vernon's Career as an Architect

After finishing college in 1953, Shirley Vernon started working at an architecture firm. This firm was owned by Vincent G. Kling, who was known for designing commercial buildings.

In 1968, Shirley Vernon decided to start her own architecture business. From 1974 to 1976, she also worked as a project manager at The Ballinger Company in Philadelphia. She designed buildings and spaces for many different clients. These included the Philadelphia Department of Recreation, the University of Pennsylvania, Rosemont College, and Philadelphia Health Services, Inc.

Shirley Vernon was officially allowed to practice architecture in Pennsylvania. She also had a special certification from the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards. This certification means she could work as an architect in many places.

Important Buildings and Projects

Shirley Vernon worked on several important buildings and projects. Some of her most famous works include:

• The U.S. Embassy Office in Quito, Ecuador. Her firm even won a gold medal from the city of Quito for this design!
• The Union Carbide Technical Center in Tarrytown, New York.
• The Franklin Institute Research Laboratories in Philadelphia.
• The Peasant Garb Shop in Philadelphia, which she designed in 1969.

Shirley Vernon joined the American Institute of Architects in 1965. She was very active in the Philadelphia Chapter of this organization. She led the committee for their Centennial Year Book in 1969 and also served as the Vice President of the Philadelphia Chapter.

Teaching Architecture to Students

Shirley Vernon was also a dedicated teacher. She taught at Drexel University (which used to be called Drexel Institute of Technology) for many years, from 1957 to 1987.

• She started as an Adjunct Professor in the Department of Architecture.
• Later, she became a Professor of Design Fundamentals and Urban Planning in the Department of Civil Engineering.

From 1986 to 1996, she taught at Moore College of Art & Design. There, she was a Professor in their Department of Interior Design.

Even after she retired, Shirley Vernon continued to help out. She worked as a consultant for the Department of Interior Design at Moore College until she passed away in Philadelphia in 2011.

Awards and Special Recognitions

Shirley Vernon received many awards and honors throughout her life:

• She was given an American Institute of Architects Student Medal.
• She was the second woman from Penn State to be chosen for Tau Beta Pi. This is a national honor society for engineering students.
• In 1976, she was made a Fellow of the American Institute of Architects. This is a very high honor that recognizes architects who have made important contributions to the profession.

After her death, in 2012, Moore College created the Shirley Vernon Endowed Scholarship for Excellence in Design. This scholarship helps students who are excellent in design, keeping her memory and contributions alive.