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The celebrated architectural firm Kirk Gastinger helped found in 1981 assures clients that its principals are "young enough to know better." The American Institute of Architects/Kansas City and the KSU College of Architecture and Design can attest that Kirk Gastinger possesses a remarkable combination of knowledge, leadership and commitment to service in the cause of architecture.

Kirk Gastinger is the 1989 president of the AIA/KC, a large, active and highly respected professional society, which has six times formally recognized his outstanding service contributions. The range of Gastinger's AIA activity reflects the breadth of his interests and talents. Kirk has served as Chapter secretary, board member, long range planning chair, continuing education programs chair, solar conference co-chair, Central States Region conference chair, housing the homeless task force chair, new chapter office design chair, and in a host of other capacities. Each of these responsibilities has been pursued with remarkable thoroughness, organization and concern for detail. Each has been informed by his firm grasp of central issues and by his strong design sense.

These attributes have also characterized his many endeavors on behalf of the College of Architecture and Design. When the Dean's Advisory Council was created, there could be no doubt that Kirk Gastinger would be asked to become a member, for he had already served the College with unusual distinction as a Design Weekend team leader, as a member of the search committee for Head of the Department of Architecture, as an internship sponsor, as a participant in the Architecture From The Plains series, in efforts to increase alumni support for the Weigel Library, and in assisting the College in counseling secondary school students and their parents about the profession of architecture.

Despite the growing demands of his professional practice and leadership of the AIA/KC, Kirk Gastinger continues to serve the College with generosity and in a manner which confirms the wisdom of those who turn to him for assistance. A March 1989 Chang Gallery exhibit of drawings, photographs and models illustrating four recent projects undertaking by Gastinger Rees Walker Architects provided students, faculty and Open House visitors a series of visual delights and valuable design insights. Kirk Gastinger's recent keynote address at the annual Environmental Design Students Association Awards Banquet effectively articulated many of the principles which have shaped his career: a career which exemplifies the qualities the faculty of the College seeks to encourage in each of their students.