Cal Poly Architecture Dean Emeritus Receives Prestigious Service Award

SAN LUIS OBISPO - Paul Neel, dean emeritus of Cal Poly's College of Architecture and Environmental Design, has been awarded the Octavius Morgan Distinguished Service Award for 2005.

The award, presented by the California Department of Consumer Affairs, recognizes architects for their contribution to the profession and the people of California . Neel, a Fellow of the American Institute of Architects, was recognized April 27 for his years of service on the California Architects Board.

The board, a division of the Department of Consumer Affairs, is responsible for regulating and licensing architects practicing in this state.

Neel served as president of the CAB from 1986 to 1989 and was appointed State Architect by Governor George Deukmejian in 1989. In 1995, he received the American Institute of Architecture's Kemper Award, the highest national award for service to society and the architectural profession.

Neel received his Bachelor of Science in architectural engineering from Cal Poly, a Bachelor of Architecture degree from the University of Southern California and a master's degree in architecture and building science from Sheffield University in England . He was a full-time instructor at Cal Poly before becoming dean of the CAED in 1991. Neel retired from the university in 1997.

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