Kathleen Galvin

2018 Marjorie E. Kettell Distinguished Alumna Award

Named in memory and honor of Dr. Marjorie E. Kettell, Class of 1947, this award is presented annually to bestow institutional recognition on one Harriet E. Richards Cooperative House alumna who has distinguished herself in her personal or professional life, in her intellectual pursuits, or in her dedication to service of community, country or society.

Kathleen Galvin graduated from Boston University in 1978, with a Bachelor of Arts in Economics (with Distinction) and Geography. She got her master’s in architecture from the University of Virginia in 1986.  She is now a registered architect with her own practice in Virginia and has been the lead urban designer for such projects as the Crozet Master Plan (which won the 2005 Congress for New Urbanism Charter Award for the Region), and the Places29 Master Plan and Transportation Study. She is currently adjunct faculty at the University of Virginia where she teaches sustainable neighborhood design and applied planning and urban design practice.  In 2017 she received the Virginia American Institute of Architects (AIA) Award for Distinguished Achievement.  

Ms. Galvin has served on the Charlottesville City School Board and is currently serving a second term on the Charlottesville City Council where she has focused on: creating career pathways out of poverty for low income residents; revitalizing areas in the City so as to provide more jobs, amenities and affordable housing without displacing existing low wealth residents, (i.e. the Strategic Investment Area Plan); transforming the West Main Street corridor with 400% more tree canopy, wider sidewalks and protected bike lanes so that it is safe and attractive for all users; and making city government more effective in making Charlottesville a healthy, inclusive and beautiful city.

Click here to see Kathleen’s slides from the 2018 Alumnae Tea.