The iSchool congratulates Johnpaul Jones for winning the 2013 National Humanities Award. Jones is the lead architect for the University of Washington Intellectual House, which will open its doors in February of 2015. 

Jones worked with several iSchool students and faculty on the project and has been a guest lecturer for the school. Miranda Belarde-Lewis, PhD, (Tlingit, Zuni) worked with Johnpaul as an RA on the Intellectual House project; MSIM student and UW Tribal Liaison Ross Braine, (Apsaalooke Nation) has worked closely with Johnpaul and his team; and Cheryl Metoyer has been deeply involved in this project as well.

The National Humanities Medal was awarded July 28 in a White House Ceremony and presented by President Obama to each of the 10 honorees. In his remarks, Obama said, "The moments you help create – moments of understanding or awe or joy or sorrow – they add texture to our lives," the President said. "They are not incidental to the American experience; they are central to it – they are essential to it. So we not only congratulate you this afternoon – we thank you for an extraordinary lifetime of achievement."

Read the full story on the White House blog.