Southern Illinois University System - Edwardsville
04/01/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 04/01/2026 14:40
William McCuen Named Principal Architect at SIUE
William McCuen Named Principal Architect at SIUE
April 1, 2026, 3:05 PM
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is pleased to name William Garrison McCuen, Jr. as the University's Principal Architect; a significant role in the shaping of the built environment at SIUE and affiliated campuses.
McCuen brings pertinent experience to the University with his design leadership in practices at home and abroad. From serving as Design Director for two east coast offices of CRSS (later Hellmuth, Obata and Kassabaum) to serving as Program Director for UN missions in Afghanistan, McCuen brings extensive experience in campus planning, building design and team building.
His design efforts in higher education include the Addlestone Library at the College of Charleston (Charleston, S.C.), the Graduate Biological Sciences tower at the University of South Carolina (Columbia, S.C.) and more recently, the Nursing Science Building for St. Louis Community College (Forest Park campus). In parallel, he was instrumental in creating academic exchange agreements between Clemson University and the Russian Academy of Science, along with an educational broadcasting agreement between the University and the Gorbachev Foundation.
Some of his notable projects include the Earth Systems Science Building for NASA in Greenbelt Md., the South Carolina Archives and History Center in Columbia S.C., the Defense Logistics Headquarters in Fort Belvoir, Va. and the master plan for Riverplace, in the heart of his hometown, Greenville S.C.
McCuen holds a Master of Architecture degree (emphasis on Urban Design) from Washington University in St. Louis. Prior to that, he studied engineering at Vanderbilt University and earned a Bachelor of Science in Pre-Design from Clemson University.
He returned to academia in 2022, earning a postgraduate certificate from the Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership (CISL) at the University of Cambridge. This sharpened his focus and deepened his commitment to creating more sustainable and resilient environments. SIUE expects to engage this passion to create lower carbon and more energy efficient campuses that enhance quality of life for all.
Embracing the potential at SIUE, McCuen says, "Our planning team expects to expand its engagement of students and faculty in the exploration of strategies to enhance our campuses in an environmentally conscious, nurturing fashion. In addition, we see the potential of our campuses to serve as extensions of our classrooms. Our office will champion enhanced learning and working environments for all in the SIUE community with emphasis on human centric building strategies. In doing so, we will seek to create environments that serve and inspire."
McCuen emphasized, "As your Principal Architect, I look to build on the vision of the original campus designer, Gyo Obata, and bring to life the vision of Chancellor Minor for all campuses. In doing so, I will seek to serve the committed and enthusiastic students, faculty, staff and school supporters, who are fulfilling the compelling mission of SIUE; ensuring that opportunity is here as we position our students to own tomorrow!"
PHOTO: SIUE Principal Architect William Garrison McCuen, Jr.
McCuen brings pertinent experience to the University with his design leadership in practices at home and abroad. From serving as Design Director for two east coast offices of CRSS (later Hellmuth, Obata and Kassabaum) to serving as Program Director for UN missions in Afghanistan, McCuen brings extensive experience in campus planning, building design and team building.
His design efforts in higher education include the Addlestone Library at the College of Charleston (Charleston, S.C.), the Graduate Biological Sciences tower at the University of South Carolina (Columbia, S.C.) and more recently, the Nursing Science Building for St. Louis Community College (Forest Park campus). In parallel, he was instrumental in creating academic exchange agreements between Clemson University and the Russian Academy of Science, along with an educational broadcasting agreement between the University and the Gorbachev Foundation.
Some of his notable projects include the Earth Systems Science Building for NASA in Greenbelt Md., the South Carolina Archives and History Center in Columbia S.C., the Defense Logistics Headquarters in Fort Belvoir, Va. and the master plan for Riverplace, in the heart of his hometown, Greenville S.C.
McCuen holds a Master of Architecture degree (emphasis on Urban Design) from Washington University in St. Louis. Prior to that, he studied engineering at Vanderbilt University and earned a Bachelor of Science in Pre-Design from Clemson University.
He returned to academia in 2022, earning a postgraduate certificate from the Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership (CISL) at the University of Cambridge. This sharpened his focus and deepened his commitment to creating more sustainable and resilient environments. SIUE expects to engage this passion to create lower carbon and more energy efficient campuses that enhance quality of life for all.
Embracing the potential at SIUE, McCuen says, "Our planning team expects to expand its engagement of students and faculty in the exploration of strategies to enhance our campuses in an environmentally conscious, nurturing fashion. In addition, we see the potential of our campuses to serve as extensions of our classrooms. Our office will champion enhanced learning and working environments for all in the SIUE community with emphasis on human centric building strategies. In doing so, we will seek to create environments that serve and inspire."
McCuen emphasized, "As your Principal Architect, I look to build on the vision of the original campus designer, Gyo Obata, and bring to life the vision of Chancellor Minor for all campuses. In doing so, I will seek to serve the committed and enthusiastic students, faculty, staff and school supporters, who are fulfilling the compelling mission of SIUE; ensuring that opportunity is here as we position our students to own tomorrow!"
PHOTO: SIUE Principal Architect William Garrison McCuen, Jr.
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