Kansas City - Bob Berkebile, FAIA, a University of Kansas Graduate, is one of two 2009 recipients of MU’s Honorary Degree. Dr. Steve Jorgensen, Dr. Tom Payne and Dr. Ruth Tofle nominated Berkebile for the highest academic tribute bestowed by the University.

His firm, BNIM, designed MU's Reynolds Alumni Center and the Christopher S. Bond Life Sciences Building on the Columbia Campus. Berkebile is a founder of the green building movement whose work has led to the creation of the AIA Committee on the Environment and the U.S. Green Building Council. He is a recent recipient of the USGBC's National Leadership Award, a 2008 Honorary Fellow of the Royal Academy of Canadian Architects and was recognized as the No. 1 Environmental Champion by EnvironDesign Journal.

“It is extremely gratifying to receive this honor from the University of Missouri,” Berkebile said. “Our work with the University has focused on creating environments that increase human capacity and restore vitality to the community. It has been a privilege to work with the MU administration and we look forward to exploring the potential for them to become a national model of preparing students for 21st Century living.”

The honorary degree, Doctor of Laws (LL.D) Honoris Causa, is conferred by the University of Missouri-Columbia during the Graduate School's commencement ceremony at 8 p.m., Friday, May 15 at the Hearnes Center. Berkebile receives this honor along with John G. Bruton, a European Union ambassador to the United States and former prime minister of Ireland.