David Schug, Program Director, Scholarships for International Study

After six years of positively impacting the University of Illinois and Champaign-Urbana communities as a student and volunteer, Ryan Dick is taking his talents to China for a year as a Luce Scholar. It had been ten years since an Illinois-nominated student received this prestigious award.

The Luce Scholars Program annually provides full stipends and internships for 18 young professionals nationwide to live and work in Asia for a year. Dating from 1974, the program’s purpose is to increase awareness of Asia among America’s future leaders. Students, such as Ryan, and recent alumni may be nominated from a select group of 67 colleges and universities, including the University of Illinois. Ryan was nominated based on his record of high achievement, outstanding leadership ability, clearly defined career interests, and evidence of potential for professional accomplishment.

Ryan completed both his undergraduate and Master’s degrees from Illinois’ School of Architecture. In addition to working as a research assistant, teaching assistant, and student organization leader, he undertook internships working with a building consultant, an engineering and research organization, and an architectural firm during his summers as a student.

As an architect, Ryan plans to focus on sustainability. He believes his studies in structural engineering and architectural design will make him better able to design sustainable architecture.

After consulting with Ryan, the Luce Foundation has placed him at Tongji University in Shanghai. He will spend the year working with the university’s College of Architecture and Urban Planning, the largest architectural teaching program in China. Ryan will co-teach classes for freshmen and sophomores and will assist the Foreign Affairs Office. He also hopes to gain some exposure on the World Expo 2010 project, which showcases sustainable architecture and planning.

In addition to intensive language training in Mandarin, the Luce Scholars program is providing all travel expenses, a stipend of $22,000, and a cost of living and housing allowance for his time in Shanghai.

After completing the Luce Scholars Program, Ryan plans to join a multidisciplinary firm where he believes projects are of a scale that can influence change.