George Hasslein Medal
The medal is given in memory and honor of George J. Hasslein, FAIA, the founding dean of the College of Architecture and Environmental Design. George served in that position from the founding of the college in 1968 until 1983. He joined the faculty of the department of architectural engineering in 1950 and served the college and the university as dean and teacher until his death in the summer of 2001 at the age of 84. George’s career was devoted to teaching with an unrelenting belief in the ability of students. "The function of a teacher is to help each student gain his or her rightful potential as a human being and I look at every student and ask how I can help release that life energy, that fulfilling force which is every person’s gift." George touched the lives of thousands of students who had the privilege of knowing him. As a professional he believed in the learning-by-doing philosophy of Cal Poly and fostered an approach to teaching that was a total commitment to the interdisciplinary experience of the professions of architecture, city and regional planning, construction management, landscape architecture and architectural engineering.
Paul R. Neel, FAIA Awarded 2010 George Hasslein Medal
Paul Neel, FAIA, was the recipient of the inaugural George Hasslein Medal at the 2010 CAEDF Gala. Paul holds a Bachelor of Science from Cal Poly in Architectural Engineering as well as a Bachelor of Architecture from the University of Southern California-LA and Master of Architecture degree from the University of Sheffield.
Paul served as Dean of the College of Architecture and Environmental Design at Cal Poly from 1991 to 1997, prior to that he was Director of the School of Architecture and Environmental Design from 1968 to 1978. He was a professor of Architecture from 1962 until his retirement in 1997.
Among Paul’s many awards is the Octavius Morgan Award given by the California Architects Board for service to the people of California (2006). He was also named Educator of the Year, the highest honor bestowed on a California educator by California Council, the American Institute of Architects (1995) and was honored as Man of the Year by National Engineering New Record for contributions to the profession (1990).
Paul has also served as President of the California Board of Architectural Examiners (1986-1991), Chair of the Fellowship Jury, College of Fellows of the American Institute of Architects (AIA) (1991) and was President of the California Council of the AIA (1983), among many other appointments.
In remarks at the presentation of the Hasslein Medal, Paul was lauded as an extraordinary colleague and leader by his peers, former colleagues and former students. “The only person who could have received this first award of the medal,” said John Maple, president of CAEDF. “He has touched every aspect of this institution and then reached out into the community and across the country as an educator.”
Paul Neel with Family and Friends
John Maple and Paul Neel