Commemorating the Lives of Esteemed Architecture Faculty

We commemorate the lives of several former Department of Architecture faculty members who have recently passed away. Three former faculty members, Jose J. Mapily (B.Arch. ’65; MCP ’72), Ahmed Elnaggar, Ph.D., and Philip Freelon, FAIA, passed away this July, and Oswald Glean Chase, B.S.Arch., MScs, within the past year.

Alumnus and Associate Professor Jose J. Mapily (B.Arch. ’65; MCP ’72) served on our faculty from 1980 to 2004 in what was then known as the School of Architecture and Planning where he taught Graphics and Design Studio, among other courses. Mapily’s matriculation at Howard University in the Bachelor of Architecture and Master of City Planning programs inspired him to continue to support the programs throughout his career. As a registered architect in Washington, D.C., Maryland and Virginia, Mapily worked with Bryant and Bryant Architects and Planners. (Alumni and brothers Robert and Charles Bryant [B.Arch. ’54] were also avid supporters of our programs and hired many Howard architecture and city planning graduates over the years.) After his retirement, Mapily became known as an artist, his highly-developed architectural analog and digital skills apparent in his artwork. Mapily’s artwork has been exhibited in galleries of note, including the WPA\Corcoran Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C.

Professor Ahmed Elnaggar, Ph.D., served on our faculty from 1964 to 2014. In addition to teaching in both the architecture and planning programs, Dr. Elnaggar served a most important role as department chair at several points during his tenure. A native of Egypt, Dr. Elnaggar received his Bachelor of Architecture from Alexandria University in Egypt before completing a Master of City Planning degree at the University of Pennsylvania and a Doctor of Architecture at The Catholic University of America. A registered architect in both New York state and the Arab Republic of Egypt, his work away from teaching involved projects centered around international concerns, particularly in the Islamic world.

James E. Silcott Endowed Chair Philip Freelon, FAIA, served on our faculty in 2012. An award-winning architect from Durham, North Carolina, Freelon assumed the role of architect of record for the National Museum of African American History and Culture, working closely with a team of Howard CEA alumni. Philip Freelon’s passing was recognized in the Journal of the American Institute of Architects. Read more on Philip Freelon.

Professor Oswald Glean Chase, B.S.Arch., MScs, also served on our faculty alongside Mapily and Elnaggar from 1977 to 2010 and as department chair at various points during his tenure. Chase taught a broad range of courses including architectural history and design theory, site design, design communications, design studio, tropical architecture, and electives that addressed contemporary issues in architecture. A native of Trinidad, Chase regularly arranged student trips to Trinidad, Europe and Asia. Chase received his Bachelor of Science in Architecture and Planning from the Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, his Master of Science in Sociology from the New School of Social Research, and his Master of Public Administration from New York University. Throughout his professional career, Chase maintained an active international consulting practice. He was also recognized as an accomplished photographer and painter, exhibiting his work in art shows around the world.

We deeply appreciate the dedicated service of each of our former faculty members and extend our condolences to family and friends.

(Pictured from left: Mapily, Elnaggar, Chase [originally published in the HU School of Architecture and Planning MATRIX newsletter, issue 1983/84/85], and Freelon)