Two Sam Fox School educators receive service award
2025-03-07 • Sam Fox School
Pictured are (front row, from left): Catalina Freixas, Stephanie Kurtzman, Bob Virgil, Denise Lieberman and Isabella Viola Yao Gomes. Back row (from left): are Art McCoy, Cassandra Hage, Marcus Foston, Matthew Bernstine and Gautham Sudhakar. (Photo: Jerry Naunheim/WashU)
Matthew Bernstine and Catalina Freixas have been selected for the 2025 Gerry and Bob Virgil Ethic of Service Awards. The annual awards recognize WashU community members who exemplify a character of service and engagement with St. Louis.
Bernstine, MUD ’14, is a lecturer in urban design and director of the Sam Fox School’s Office for Socially Engaged Practice. His work connects students and faculty to community organizations throughout St. Louis, resulting in impactful partnerships like Peace Park and the Sumner StudioLab. “Perhaps most importantly, Matt’s love for St. Louis is deeply embedded in both his professional and personal life,” said Lisa Weingarth, who nominated Bernstine. Weingarth serves WashU as Senior Advisor to the Chancellor and Executive Director of the In St. Louis, For St. Louis Initiative. “His passion for St. Louis is personal, and he works tirelessly to bring his vision of a more vibrant, equitable city to life.”
Freixas teaches architecture courses, notably the popular Architecture for Non-Architects course that challenges students to design for sites throughout St. Louis. “Freixas has chosen to work in some of St. Louis’ most challenging neighborhoods,” said Mark Trannel, a WashU guest lecturer who nominated Freixas. “This work has demonstrated a range of skills beyond the credentials typically ascribed to a faculty member — she has navigated complex public agencies, built coalitions of neighborhood organizations, and written a number of grants that were funded.”
For more on the Ethic of Service Awards, visit gephardtinstitute.wustl.edu.