This past weekend The College of Architecture at Texas Tech University hosted a retirement reception in honor of Professors James E. White and John P. White, celebrating over 40 years as architects and educators. The twin brothers served in United States Air Force before starting their architecture practice. They have since been integral to the Texas Tech College of Architecture, John and Jim teaching for 44 and 46 years respectively. Each have served in various roles within the program, including John as Historic Preservation Program Director and Jim as Dean of the College, developing programs that became the model of architectural education at many universities across the country.
Throughout the years, Jim and John have had a direct influence on Cornerstone Architects. Principal partners, Mark Carlson and Bob Wetmore both attended Texas Tech University and studied under each of the White brothers, before founding Cornerstone Architects together in 1989. Since then, many current and past employees of the firm were students of Jim and John as well!
Over the last decade, Cornerstone Architects has continued a relationship with Jim in a fun, unique way through the Masonry Detailing course he taught each semester. The class is a research-based course investigating architects’ use of masonry construction, (brick, concrete masonry, and stone), with steel and concrete structural systems in the design of buildings of the 20th and 21st centuries. The class required the students to attend a field trip to various locations in Central Texas. Afterwards, we would invite Jim and his students to Cornerstone Architects. We would give them a tour of the office, lead them through a couple of projects under construction and then host a dinner at either Bob or Mark's home. It was always so much fun getting together and visiting with Jim and whatever students he had in his class at that time.
Although Jim and John are now retired and last Spring was Jim’s final semester to teach the masonry course, Cornerstone Architects is thankful for the mark they have made on our firm and we look forward to keeping in touch with the White brothers for years to come!