Letter From the Executive Vice President Lenore M. Lucey, FAIA
As the architectural profession strives to better understand itself, there has been an outpouring of data-collection efforts. So that we can fully inform ourselves and the public, the five architectural collaterals—the AIA, AIAS, ACSA, NAAB, and NCARB—are working together to develop a comprehensive look at what information, who collects it now, and/or who should collect it in the future.

The NCARB Prize: Celebrating Five Years of Excellence
Calendar year 2006 marks the fifth anniversary of the NCARB Prize initiative. In celebration of this milestone, Direct Connection offers a look back at the NCARB Prize winners from 2002-2005.

Montana State University is Awarded $25,000 NCARB Prize
In late March 2006, the most recent winners of the NCARB Prize were announced at the Association of Collegiate Schools of Architecture (ACSA) Annual Conference in Salt Lake City, Utah.

NCARB Board of Directors Issues ARE/IDP Policy Statement
Meeting in mid-February 2006, the NCARB Board of Directors issued the following statement in regard to the timing of examination and experience for emerging professional. This statement provides the basis on which future changes will be promulgated through the revision of NCARB Model Law. Additional details about the newly revised policy statement can be found on the Council web site (www.ncarb.org).

Young Professionals Add New Perspective to the ARE Subcommittee
Recently licensed professionals bring a unique and valuable perspective to the Architect Registration Examination (ARE) question-writing process.

The Indentured Intern: An IDP State Coordinator Continues to Find His Roots in Architecture
Gary E. Demele, a practitioner based in Utica, Minnesota, shares the story of his grandfather, whose indenture offers a fascinating look at architectural internship in the late 19th century.

2006 IDP Coordinators Conference Highlights Mentoring Best Practices
Among the highlights of the 2006 IDP Coordinators Conference were presentations about mentoring's best practices. Learn more about the ways in which mentoring is being re-envisioned in one firm and in three university settings.

State Boards Lend a Helping Hand
Three state registration boards are paying students' IDP fees to ensure that those emerging professionals are on the right path to becoming licensed and certified architects.

See the Light: NCARB Monograph Explores Daylighting
Daylighting Performance and Design explores the fascinating characteristics of daylighting, an integral component of sustainable design and green buildings. The careful integration of daylighting also can positively affect productivity and performance among human occupants.

NCARB Certification: A Necessary Credential for Architects
The regulatory entities for the design professions have long grappled with two primary objectives: encourage and promote interstate practice opportunities while concurrently protecting the public health, safety, and welfare.

Task Forces Delve Into Hot Topics
In many ways, the engine running NCARB is its highly structured committee system. Charged with a variety of responsibilities, standing committees and assigned task forces investigate, research draft, and finalize policy changes for the consideration of the Council Board Directors.

News Briefs
News Briefs: Guillot, Peterson Elected to College of Fellows Notable Retirements

Annual Meeting Preview: See You in Cincinnati!
Winston Churchill once called Cincinnati, Ohio, "the most beautiful of America's inland cities." NCARB Member Board Executives and Member Board Members will have a chance to judge for themselves when Cincinnati hosts the Council's 2006 Annual Meeting and Conference from June 21-24.

Member Board Round Up
News from NCARB's Member Boards.