Mississippi State architecture student makes international top-100 list
Contact: Christie McNeal
STARKVILLE, Miss.—A graduating Mississippi State senior is one of 20 undergraduate architecture students from across North America and Canada selected for Metropolis magazine’s Future100 cohort.
Grace Kotomi Owens of Hernando was nominated for the honor and encouraged to apply by MSU School of Architecture Professor and F.L. Crane Professor Karen Cordes Spence. Metropolis magazine is an internationally recognized design and architecture publication.
“Grace is one of the most thoughtful students you’ll ever meet—she is well-deserving of this honor. She is the latest MSU student to receive this recognition, following Elisa Castaneda and Alysia Williams, who were named to the list in 2024 and 2023, respectively. This says a lot about the quality of our program,” Spence said.
Owens submitted her portfolio as part of the application and currently is completing her final thesis project—work she plans to add to the portfolio before applying for jobs.
Her capstone project is the design of a natatorium in downtown Jackson.
“I have been challenged with designing a suburban building within an urban context. Halfway through the semester, I realized I wanted to use my project to provide the city with a monument to contribute to the imageability of downtown Jackson,” she said.
Owens, who spent a year on co-op in New York City with Kligerman Architecture & Design and worked several summer internships, said MSU has prepared her for success.
“I think we have a well-rounded program with great professors who still practice in the field—that’s valuable,” she said.
With graduation nearing this week, she said the feeling is bittersweet.
“I’m excited to graduate, and I am looking forward to the future, but I’m really going to miss the experience,” she said. “The architecture school had provided me with an incredible education, and I’m grateful for my professors and peers.”
MSU’s School of Architecture in the College of Architecture, Art and Design offers the state’s only professional architecture degree accredited by the National Architectural Accrediting Board. Learn more at www.caad.msstate.edu/academics/majors/architecture.
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