Barbara Beckos McDonald G’73 and Theo Beckos McDonald have established the Professor Arthur W. McDonald Endowed Architecture Scholarship to recognize the life and work of their late husband and father, Emeritus Professor Arthur “Art” McDonald, and support the next generation of Syracuse Architecture students.
Through a gift from Barbara Beckos McDonald and Theo Beckos McDonald, as well as support from Syracuse University’s Syracuse Promise scholarship initiative, the fund will provide long-term financial support for undergraduate students in the School of Architecture.
His teaching and research spanned architectural and urban design, urban housing and the history and theory of urban planning. He also taught in Syracuse Architecture’s programs in Florence and London, sharing with students his appreciation for Italy’s cities, history and culture. Alongside his academic career, he maintained an active architectural practice, designing projects in Syracuse and the Adirondacks. His own Syracuse home, which he designed and built in 1981, embodied his design philosophy and provided a welcoming place for his family. He retired in 2015 and was named professor emeritus.
A revered and influential professor, McDonald served as a mentor whose impact extended well beyond the classroom. Former students remembered him as someone who shaped their lives and remained a source of guidance and encouragement throughout their careers. His thoughtfulness, curiosity and generosity helped define an important era in the School’s history.
Barbara Beckos McDonald has a longstanding relationship with Syracuse University. A 1973 graduate of the University’s College of Visual and Performing Arts, she shares with her late husband a deep appreciation for the transformative power of higher education.
“Art was deeply committed to teaching and helping students realize their potential,” says Beckos McDonald. “I hope this scholarship will carry that commitment forward by giving future architects the opportunity to pursue their education and achieve their goals.”
“This scholarship is a meaningful tribute to Art’s contributions to the School of Architecture and the lasting impact he had on his students,” says Michael Speaks, dean of the School of Architecture. “We’re grateful to the McDonalds for helping make a degree in architecture more accessible to talented students.”
The Professor Arthur W. McDonald Endowed Architecture Scholarship joins a growing number of scholarships established through the Syracuse Promise initiative, which expands access to a Syracuse University education regardless of financial circumstances. As the School’s 10th endowed scholarship through the initiative, the fund honors one of its most influential professors while helping prepare the next generation of architects.
To support the Professor Arthur W. McDonald Endowed Architecture Scholarship Fund, please visit giving.syr.edu/ArtMcDonald.
