April 22, 1999
Architecture Dean John C. Gaunt will present the award during ceremonies at the school's commencement brunch at 11:30 a.m. May 23 in the Kansas Union ballroom.
Gaunt said, "Throughout his life Warren Corman has been assigned weighty responsibilities because of his knowledge, administrative ability, political acumen and propensity to get things done.
"In various roles as a registered architect and architectural engineer, his advice and guidance are imbedded in most of the buildings, valued now at $2.6 billion, that stand today on Regent's campuses throughout Kansas."
At KU, Corman oversees a $500 million planning and construction program on KU's campuses in Lawrence, Overland Park and Kansas City, Kan.
Corman served the Kansas Board or Regents as chief of architecture and engineering from 1966 to 1997. In 1993, he served as interim executive director for the Board of Regents. Instead of retiring in 1997, Corman agreed to serve as KU's architect and special assistant to the chancellor.
As the Regents architect and engineer, Corman specialized in energy conservation and maintenance of existing facilities. Regents institutions and all elementary and secondary unified school districts in Kansas have used Corman's manuals. He also devised formulas for establishing the condition of buildings and space and for establishing priorities for campus buildings in Kansas.
Born in Kansas City, Kan., Corman attended Topeka schools. During World War II, he served in the U.S. Navy and was attached to the Marine Corps Seabees on Okinawa where he earned Asiatic-Pacific Campaign and Ryuku Islands battle ribbons.
He attended college with his GI benefits, earning a bachelor of science in architectural engineering in the KU School of Engineering and Architecture in 1950. In the same year, he became a licensed professional engineer, and, in 1955, a registered architect.
His career includes serving as an architect in the Office of the State Architect from 1947 to 1957. From 1957 to 1959 he worked as an architect for E.I. DuPont de Nemours in Wilmington, Del. He entered into architectural partnerships in Topeka from 1959 to 1966.
Corman was national president of the Association of University Architects, and received an AUA Distinguished Service Award. He has been a School of Architecture and Urban Design advisory board member, an American Institute of Architects corporate member, Presbyterian Manors of Mid-America chairman of the board of trustees and Boy Scouts of America scoutmaster.
Corman and his wife, Mary, have six children and 16 grandchildren.
Story by Mary Jane Dunlap, University Relations, (785) 864-8853