Allison Sonnenberg is a member of the Chancellor’s Honors Program class of 2017. She is a senior majoring in Architecture and plans to work in an architecture firm that contributes greatly to the local community. She will pursue a Master’s degree, likely in urban design or historic preservation, but at the moment making good buildings and helping people are her main focuses. She interned at EOA Architects twice in the past two years and greatly enjoyed the opportunity to learn more about the profession and to be a part of the interesting projects in the works, including an elementary school and new permanent bathrooms for the Bonnaroo music festival.

An actively involved student, Allison is part of a variety of organizations. She serves on the Dean’s Student Advisory Council, gives tours of the College of Architecture and Design to interested high school students, and is a columnist and copy editor for the student publication IMPRINT. She is also a member of the American Institute of Architecture Students, as well a contributing writer for the Chancellor’s Honors Program’s Public Relations Committee.

Allison is from Spring Hill, a medium-sized town south of Nashville. She chose to attend UT for its highly commended architecture program, especially its faculty, who have many research interests and who make students their highest priority. She also enjoys downtown Knoxville’s friendly environment and its many music venues.

She chose to become an honors student because she enjoys challenges. The opportunities provided as part of the CHP, as well as the students she has worked with, were strong influences on her choice. She appreciates the community service opportunities offered, as well as the chance to work more closely with professors on interesting subjects.

Allison traveled to Rome, Italy for a mini-term, studying architecture, photography, and sketching. More recently, she spent a semester in Krakow, Poland, studying urban design, architectural history in Eastern Europe, Polish language, and even sculpture. Allison was able to travel to many cities and countries in both Eastern and Western Europe and enjoyed the educational opportunities offered.

Though she graduates in May, she is excited to have spent her time at UT being an Honors Vol and a dedicated architecture student.