From Ashley Hunter- City of Cayce – The Columbia Chapter of The American Institute of Architects honors Cayce Mayor, Elise Partin, with the 2022 Presidential Citation Award. This award is in recognition of exceptional service and professional partnership to enhance local community design.

The AIA Columbia Chapter’s partnership with Clemson University has been an essential program for the board, local firms, and Clemson’s faculty and students. Every spring semester, Clemson brings a studio of students to the Midlands for a day where students are introduced to the city and a site where they will design a prospective building. The partnership provides opportunities for mentorship and growth for Clemson’s students.

Mayor Partin and City Manager, Tracy Hegler, met to discuss the revitalization efforts and pick a site for a studio project. Mayor Partin created a connection with the Quarry to give students access, gave faculty and students a walking tour of State Street and did a seminar with them to discuss the process of pre-revitalization and revitalization for Cayce’s River Arts District.

“Mayor Partin took the time to meet with the students and really make the experience a rich one for these young emerging professionals. For this work, the AIA Columbia board would like to recognize Mayor Partin with a Citation for her contribution to ensuring a successful semester with Clemson,” stated Adriane McGillis, AIA.

“Buildings shape our community. We are thankful for the great education these architectural students are getting and additionally thankful for the Columbia Chapter of AIA SC for bringing them here and giving them real world canvasses for learning good design.  Giving the architecture students the opportunity to get to know Cayce will hopefully invite them to live, work and play here when they graduate!” stated Cayce Mayor, Elise Partin.