Fourth-year architecture student recognized with 2025 Robert L. Wesley Award

UNIVERSTY PARK, Pa. — Nekelle Thomas, a fourth-year architecture student in the College of Arts and Architecture’s Stuckeman School at Penn State, has been named a recipient of the 2025 Robert L. Wesley Award, a national honor recognizing BIPOC students in design disciplines. The award, presented by the SOM (Skidmore, Owings & Merrill) Foundation, includes a $10,000 prize and a yearlong mentorship program connecting recipients with leading educators and practitioners in the field of architecture.

Named after Robert L. Wesley, the first Black partner at architectural firm Skidmore, Owings & Merrill, the award supports undergraduate students pursuing architecture and related design fields across the United States. Recipients gain access to opportunities to foster professional growth and advancement in the industry.

The award also arrived at a meaningful moment, following the recent passing of Wesley this past February. Thomas said receiving the award gave her a multitude of emotions.

“It felt bittersweet because after reading the email and reflecting on the two sides of my mind, the one that believed I had won and the other side filled with doubt, I thought about all the moments where I listened to the doubt instead of believing,” Thomas said. “After the bittersweet feeling, I felt proud for putting myself out there, and that I tried for something even when it felt unachievable.”

Thomas learned about the opportunity through an email at the beginning of fall semester. She completed a competitive application process that included a portfolio, personal essay, recommendation letter and video submission.

While there was no specific project tied to the award, Thomas said in her submissions that she noted the importance of authenticity.

“Out of all of them [submissions], I especially enjoyed creating the video essay,” Thomas said. “It really allowed me to express my perspective to design in a more personal and creative way.”

With family roots in Antigua, Thomas said she was first exposed to construction and building practices there. Her early experiences shaped an understanding of the necessary work it takes to design functional spaces that create community.

She said her inspiration for building, designing and creating stemmed from her childhood, evolving into her later education. In high school, Thomas was introduced to the field through two architecture classes, one where she received an award for the highest grade in technical studies, which, she said, gave her an idea for what her future could look like.

Originally planning to pursue a career in natural sciences, Thomas said her path in architecture ultimately felt inevitable when applying to colleges.

“I came across the pin I received for my technical studies in high school around the same time I found an old video I made, showing a building I had designed as a kid,” Thomas said. “In those moments I realized this interest [architecture] has always been a part of me.”

Thomas credited her personal and academic growth to her time at Penn State, noting that she has been encouraged to challenge her beliefs about herself while growing her perseverance and her ability to adapt to changes.

“I look in the mirror, and I don’t see the same kid who first arrived on campus,” Thomas said. “The environment, professors and people at Penn State gave me the space to develop at my own pace while pushing me to become more confident in both myself and my work.”

Reflecting on her journey so far, Thomas said that her greatest achievement has been her growth as a designer. Each project she completes is a representation of the advancements in her creativity, thinking and technical skills.

Looking ahead, Thomas said she plans to use the award funds to support her studies and fully engage in the mentorship program.

“I’m proud that I’ve continued to push myself to keep learning, questioning and improving,” Thomas said. "This is what motivates me and reminds me how far I’ve come, and how far I will go.”