Kansas State University has selected John Renner as the 2008 Alumni Fellow of the College of Architecture, Planning and Design. Renner will visit the campus on February 27 and 28, 2008, to meet with members of the academic community in a variety of settings.

A 1970 recipient of the Bachelor of Architecture from K-State and one of the first students to complete what was then the interior architecture option, Renner pursued graduate studies at the Rockhurst College School of Business in Kansas City. From 1970 to 1974, he was employed as a facilities space planner and interior architect with the Facilities Management Division of Hallmark Cards. Then, he was Associate Director of Facilities Planning at American Multi Cinema from 1974 to 1978. Later that year, Renner assumed his current position as corporate facilities design administrator for Kansas City’s Crown Center Redevelopment Corporation.

Renner is a registered architect in 48 states and the District of Columbia.  His many professional affiliations include membership in the American Institute of Architects; the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards; the Construction Specifications Institute, Inc.; the International Conference of Building Officials; the Southern Building Code Congress International, Inc.; and Building Officials and Code Administrators International, Inc.

In recognition and appreciation of the role his K-State interior architecture education played in his later achievements, Renner has been an active and generous supporter of that program.  Since its inception in 1980, Renner has been heavily involved with the Department of Interior Architecture Professional Advisory Board, serving as its Chairperson from 1997 until 2001.  An expert in public relations and networking, Renner continually uses his professional knowledge and contacts to the benefit of the students and faculty in the K-State Department of Interior Architecture.  He is a resource for professional contacts, as well as sources from which to procure myriad materials and supplies vital to the educational program in furniture and product design.  He has arranged numerous field trips for interior architecture students and faculty to visit Kansas City’s Hallmark Corporation offices.  Renner is also a promoter of the Kansas City Architects, Designers, Dealers and Representatives (KCADDR) annual golf tournament and furniture design competition, which provide both important visibility and critical financial support to the profession of interior architecture in this region.  He is also a regular visiting lecturer and studio critic at K-State.

Renner’s service orientation extends beyond his professional associations.  He is a member of the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce, serving on the Aviation Committee and the KCI Terminal Renovation Subcommittee, and he has been a member of the Kansas City Downtown Council, serving on the Kansas City Downtown Wayfinding Committee.

He and his wife Sherry live in Kansas City with their family.

The Alumni Fellow program is celebrated annually by all Kansas State University academic colleges and is coordinated by the Kansas State University Alumni Association.

For more information, contact:
Lorraine Cutler, 785.532.5992
Diane Potts, 785.532.1090, potts@ksu.edu