An EMHS field trip to New York City launched Lori Snyder \u201879 Garrett \u2014 the 2019 Eastern Mennonite School Alumna of the Year \u2014 on the path to a career in architecture, thanks to art teacher Esther Kniss \u201849 Augsburger. <\/p>\n
On that trip, Augsberger introduced Lori to three architects who encouraged her to pursue her love of mathematics and art in undergraduate studies, she recalls. She\u2019s grateful she heeded their advice, studying at Messiah College in Pennsylvania and laying a strong foundation before pursuing architecture studies at the University of Virginia.<\/p>\n
Now Senior Principal and Director of the Higher Education Studio at Richmond-based Glav\u00e9 & Holmes Architecture, Garrett\u2019s career of more than 30 years has gained her wide recognition as a skilled architect, collaborator, team leader and mentor. <\/p>\n
Garrett\u2019s contributions will be recognized at her 40th high school reunion, Oct. 18-20. In addition to speaking in the Sunday worship service, she will be recognized at Saturday\u2019s Homecoming Breakfast and at an evening concert in the school\u2019s auditorium. Lori was chief architect for the 2005 Fine Arts Wing which houses the auditorium at EMS. <\/p>\n
\u201cI am grateful for the legacy that my EMHS experience represents,\u201d reflects Garrett. \u201cMy love of math, art and music were nurtured there, and I developed values \u2014 such as a commitment to reconciliation among people and caring for those on the margins \u2014 that have influenced my professional and personal life.\u201d<\/p>\n
In addition to Augsburger, Lori recalls math teachers Grace LeFever and Marty Kolb, who nurtured her love of proportion and geometric patterns. Choral director Marvin Miller helped her find her singing voice in various choirs and, particularly, in a women\u2019s quartet with classmates Lori Byler Reethof, Lynn Kidd Suter and Karen Burkholder Batten.<\/p>\n
Lori also notes ways her parents influenced her. From age three to six, she saw them model service to others as teachers in Nigeria with Mennonite Central Committee. Later in life, she recalls late night conversations about math problems over dishwashing with her father, Del, a mathematics professor at Eastern Mennonite College (now University). Her mother Lee, then assistant dean at Eastern Mennonite College and later President of Bluffton College \u2014 \u201cmodeled and encouraged excellence, especially in academics,\u201d Lori says. \u201cShe showed me that it\u2019s possible to be passionate about a career at the same time as being a good mother,\u201d says Garrett. \u201cThat was really important to me.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThey were both wonderful role models,\u201d she concludes. \u201cI know that if I can be half the parent my parents were to me, I will feel successful,\u201d she concludes.<\/p>\n
Lori is married to Jim, an attorney she met while they were finishing their graduate studies at UVA and beginning their professional careers. Son, Tyler, 25, is an attorney, clerking for a judge in West Virginia; daughter Kia, 21, graduated from William & Mary in 2019, and recently accepted a role with a non-profit in Boston. <\/p>\n
In 2007, Lori became Glav\u00e9 and Holme\u2019s first female owner in the firm\u2019s 50-year history. Since then, she and her colleagues built the firm from 28 to 70 employees. \u201cMany women choose to put careers on hold and stay home with children, which can be wonderful ,\u201d says Lori. \u201cBut it wasn\u2019t the choice I made.\u201d Staying active in a career she loved while raising children with Jim \u201cwas my biggest challenge,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n
Projects with Purpose<\/strong> The list of college and university campus\u2019 that she has touched is long, including Virginia Tech, William & Mary, Christopher Newport, University of Mary Washington, James Madison, UVA, Longwood and Washington & Lee. A favorite project that brought together her passions for women leaders and reconciliation among people came in her role with the University of Richmond\u2019s Carole Weinstein International Center, a building funded by, designed by and in honor of, women.<\/p>\n Another project that brought together her passions was a 2018 proposal to a national ideas competition to revise Richmond\u2019s Monument Avenue. The project called for proposals that would \u201cfacilitate constructive dialogue around the historic street, Confederate history, urban planning, and public art.\u201d The competition resulted in more than 200 submissions with Lori\u2019s remaining among the 20 currently under consideration for the top prize.<\/p>\n Outside of career involvement,Lori has recently found time to reconnect with her love of choral singing and joined Richmond\u2019s One Voice Chorus,an interracial community chorus that promotes racial reconciliation.<\/p>\n
\nCurrently, Lori leads design teams focused on building campus community and supporting the academic mission of colleges and universities, according to Glav\u00e9 and Holmes website. Lori\u2019s \u201cdeep-rooted values of collaboration and stewardship of culture and resources guide her as she instills timeless quality, economic efficiency, and environmental sustainability in every project.\u201d<\/p>\n