For the past two years, the co-founder and president of Murphy & Dittenhafer Architects has led the university’s College of Arts and Architecture Alumni Society.
In July, Frank Dittenhafer’s two-year term as president of Penn State University’s College of Arts and Architecture Alumni Society will come to a close. Dittenhafer has been an integral part of the society for eight years, playing a pivotal role in fostering a strong connection among alumni, students, and faculty. When he steps down as president, Dittenhafer will move into the role of immediate past president.
“It’s been a very fulfilling experience for me,” says the co-founder of Murphy & Dittenhafer Architects.
A vibrant community of alumni
Dittenhafer's journey with the College of Arts and Architecture Alumni Society has been a stimulating experience. With its diverse units and departments covering Architecture, Visual arts, Theater, Music, Landscape Architecture, Graphic Design, Art History, and Integrative Arts, the society brings together a remarkable group of alumni from various backgrounds and locations across the country and around the world.
Dittenhafer has enjoyed engaging in the enthusiasm of this community, which goes beyond individual areas of expertise and encourages a sense of camaraderie among alumni with shared passions for the Arts and Architecture.
One of the most rewarding aspects of Dittenhafer's role has been the opportunity to establish connections between alumni and students and between alumni and faculty. By building bridges between these groups, the society helps create valuable internships, experiences, and career opportunities for students and even offers scholarships for students.
The alumni also play a vital role in mentoring and supporting the next generation of artists and Architects. Dittenhafer feels fortunate to have been part of these conversations, witnessing the society's continuous growth and its dedication to exploring new avenues for fostering these meaningful relationships.
“It’s just an inspiring group,” Dittenhafer says. “It’s so invigorating to hear what students and alums are doing around the country.”
Tailgate revival
During his time as president, Dittenhafer helped bring back the Arts and Architecture Tailgate, which was canceled for a few years because of the COVID-19 pandemic. This event provides a gathering point for alumni, faculty, and students, held beneath the Penn State water tower on the Barbara O. and James R. Korner Tower Terrace.
Through the assistance of Penn State Architecture students, the tower, once perceived as a potential eyesore behind the Palmer Museum of Art and next to the Stuckeman Family Building, became a vibrant campus gathering spot, with seating and a stage. The college helped to transform this negative into a positive by constructing a plaza and a tent structure.
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“It’s a great example of the college taking a situation in their own backyard and doing something positive out of something that was inherently a negative,” Dittenhafer says.
The water tower has become a hub for social activity and a symbol of the college's ability to turn challenges into opportunities.
A lasting bond
While his term as president is ending, Dittenhafer’s connection to the College of Arts and Architecture will not waver. For him, the power of engaging with other graduates from various disciplines draws him back time and again. The shared experiences and the continuity of relationships play a significant role in creating a sense of belonging.
Reflecting on his undergraduate years at Penn State, Dittenhafer points to the rigorous academic environment that instilled in him analytical thinking, problem-solving skills, and effective communication, essential qualities for his career as an Architect. He attributes his preparedness for life's challenges to the four years he spent at Penn State’s College of Arts and Architecture, where he received an education that resonates with many alumni.
As Dittenhafer prepares to step down as president and into the role of immediate past president, he remains committed to staying involved with the alumni society. Inspired by his predecessor, Peter Margittai, who has continued to contribute meaningfully, Dittenhafer plans to provide ongoing support for the society's projects, events, and initiatives. He holds his alma mater dear and is dedicated to assisting interns, undergraduates, and the college in any way he can.
Murphy & Dittenhafer Architects took on the Architecture, Interior Design, & Overall Project Management for the new Bedford Elementary School, and the outcome is impactful.