Fay Jones School of Architecture and Design Hosts Birthday Party at Noon Jan. 31 for Fay Jones

Shawnya Meyers

Fay Jones School students gather for the 2018 celebration of Fay Jones' birthday, which featured a cake decorated with a likeness of Thorncrown Chapel. This year, his birthday celebration will begin at noon Friday, Jan. 31, in Vol Walker Hall.

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – In recognition of what would have been the 99th birthday of Fay Jones, the Fay Jones School of Architecture and Design will host a celebration on Friday, Jan. 31, in Vol Walker Hall, on the University of Arkansas campus.

At noon, birthday cake will be served in the Paul Young Jr. Gallery on the second floor of Vol Walker Hall. The public is invited to attend and join in the celebration with the school's students, faculty and staff.

Jones, a Fellow of the American Institute of Architects, was born Jan. 31, 1921, in Pine Bluff and grew up in El Dorado. He later attended the earliest architecture classes offered at the University of Arkansas, in the architecture program founded by John G. Williams. Jones graduated in the first class of architecture students, and eventually returned to teach for 35 years and serve as the school's first dean.

In his professional practice, Jones designed 135 houses and 15 chapels and churches across the country, but most were in Arkansas. In 1990, he received the American Institute of Architect's highest honor, the AIA Gold Medal. He died Aug. 30, 2004, at age 83. 

For more information, contact 479-575-4704 or fayjones.uark.edu.