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Eugene T. McGraw intended to be a high school science teacher. Then he saw work done by his brother who was studying architecture in college and McGraw, immediately drawn to what he had seen, changed his major to architecture. With no preparation in art or drafting, McGraw had to work diligently to develop and hone his design skills, aided by a great deal of mentorship, motivation, and challenge provided by his brother. This pivotal experience supplied the context for McGraw's approach with his own students throughout his teaching career.

From their hometown in Lakewood, Ohio, McGraw followed his brother to Oklahoma State University where he received a Bachelor of Architecture degree in 1957. He then worked for a firm in Cleveland, Ohio. His brother received a master's degree in city planning, and when he obtained a college teaching position McGraw visited his classes several times, again becoming exposed to a new field that he found invigorating and exciting. He decided to pursue graduate study in planning, choosing to become one of the first students in Kansas State University's new regional and community planning graduate program where he could also teach part time in architecture. Upon earning his master's degree in regional and community planning, he joined the planning faculty, teaching urban design and planning, contributing to curriculum development, coordinating summer institutes, and administering a federal grant.

In 1972, a new degree in interior architecture was begun and McGraw, who considered himself a designer first and foremost, engaged yet another new program and personal interest by accepting an invitation to join the interior architecture faculty. For seven years, McGraw served on the American Institute of Architects (AIA) national committee on interiors, using his interdisciplinary teaching experience in a crucial way to advocate professional solidarity and to promote the advantages of the unique combination of design disciplines that comprise our College of Architecture, Planning, and Design. He also used his committee participation to urge rigor in the interior architecture curriculum that would logically lead to professional licensure.

During this time, McGraw's personal travels led him to believe in the notion of a global village and to realize the level of international influence on the design professions. To be truly successful, McGraw felt that students needed to be prepared to work anywhere in the world. So during a 1986 sabbatical, he researched and developed opportunities for an international student/faculty exchange, ultimately selecting a program in Trier, Germany, for its quality, culture, language compatibility, and central location. McGraw had also come to believe in the benefits of emersing students with marketable skills in real world job experiences. He developed, and then administered for a decade, the highly successful interior architecture internship program that provides fourth-year students with paid employment as well as professional mentorship, opportunities for community involvement and cultural exposure, and the chance to hone their oral and written communication skills.

During his career, McGraw taught in nearly every program and at nearly every level in our College. In recognition of his highly skilled and effective instruction, McGraw was selected in 1990 to receive our College's Conoco Award for Outstanding Undergraduate Teaching.

For 37 years, and even since his retirement in 1995, Kansas State University and our College of Architecture, Planning, and Design have enjoyed Eugene McGraw's talents, energy, innovation, enthusiasm, and dedication. We are grateful for the privilege of having known him as a student, an alumnus, a faculty member, an emeritus professor, and a friend. We delight in nominating him to receive a Kansas State University Distinguished Service Award.