Four students in the University of Tennessee College of Architecture and Design have received a scholarship from Johnson Architecture for the 2025-26 school year to help enhance their educational experiences. Architecture students Maya Donahue and Madelyn Neidhart and interior architecture students Hannah Bullen and Jaelyn Mendoza are this year’s recipients.
The firm established the Johnson Architecture Scholarship in 2021 with the goals of increasing diversity in the profession and encouraging students to expand their horizons through studying abroad. This year, the firm has renewed its commitment to funding the scholarship for five more years, starting with the 2026-27 school year.
“Our firm thrives thanks to the positive impact the University of Tennessee College of Architecture and Design has had on both our team and our community.” said Jeff Williamson, Johnson Architecture vice president and principal architect. “It’s an honor to celebrate this year’s recipients and a privilege to renew the scholarship for years to come. I look forward to hearing about the student experiences made possible by this support.”
The recipients were celebrated at a luncheon in their honor on Friday, Oct. 17, at the Johnson Architecture design studio, the historic, renovated headquarters for the firm in Knoxville’s South Waterfront District.
Johnson, AIA, NCARB, is a 1984 graduate of the UT College of Architecture and Design (1984), as are partners Eric Bowen, AIA (1992); Rick Friel, AIA (1992); Jeff Williamson, AIA (2001); and Joey Staats, RA (2009) and an additional 12 members of the firm’s staff of architects and interior designers.
The Johnson Architecture Scholarship is awarded by the UT Scholarship Committee in accordance with university policy and is available to students pursuing a major in the College of Architecture or School of Interior Architecture.
Since 2021, 13 students have received the scholarship, including six in the last school year: Addison Cate, Abbie Coleman, Autumn Jackson, Lauren Nicholson, Owen Magowan, and Macy McDowell. The students have utilized the funds to purchase supplies and textbooks and to supplement architecture trips, such as admittance fees for galleries and museums in New York City.
Scholarship applicants must currently be enrolled or admitted at UT, demonstrate successful academic performance and be considered a third-year student or higher, having completed a minimum of four semesters. While intended to address underrepresentation in the field of architecture and increase diversity, the scholarship shall be open to all applicants regardless of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, pregnancy, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, physical or mental disability, genetic information, veteran status, parental status, or any other characteristic protected by federal or state law.
About Johnson Architecture Inc.
Founded in 1994, Johnson Architecture is a full-service design firm offering planning, architectural and interior design services for a variety of facility types. The JAI team has members who specialize in commercial, education, healthcare, residential, tourism, restaurant and spiritual developments of all sizes. Notable clients include Covenant Health, DENSO, Dollywood, Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, Knox County Schools, Knoxville’s Community Development Corporation, and The University of Tennessee. For more information, visit
jainc.com.