The Criswell Davis Scholarship

A Scholarship to Help Architects and Designers

The Criswell Davis Scholarship is designed to honor the memory and legacy of Criswell Davis, a passionate advocate for biophilic design and the integration of hardwoods into architectural projects. The scholarship aims to be an annual, recurring program that supports college candidates pursuing a career in architecture or interior design and furthering the vision of sustainable and nature-inspired environments.

Criswell Davis: Our Friend, Our Mentor, and Our Inspiration

The Timber & Forestry Foundation was co-founded by Criswell Davis, internationally recognized American hardwood expert, advocate, speaker, and hardwood specification consultant. Criswell passed away in late 2022, but TFF carries on his mission of inspiring the use of sustainable American hardwoods in design.

Criswell was an enthusiastic member of the American hardwood industry for over three decades, representing the American Hardwood Export Council internationally. He was a passionate ambassador for the American hardwood industry and believed that designing with American hardwoods improves our personal health and the health of the planet. Criswell was a recognized TEDx 2019 speaker on the topic of American hardwoods in biophilic design.

Meet the 2026 Criswell Davis Scholarship recipient

Danielle Haniph

Haniph is a third-year Bachelor of Architecture student at Syracuse University’s School of Architecture. She is pursuing a minor in Innovation, Design, and Startups through Syracuse University’s School of Information Studies and is a member of the Renee Crown University Honors Program.

She has been awarded the scholarship for $1,500, proudly presented by the Timber & Forestry Foundation (TFF). The scholarship was funded this year and for years to come by donations and contributions from the hardwoods industry and friends and family of Criswell Davis. Ms. Haniph’s letter of recommendation was provided by Ivi Diamantopoulou, AIA, Professor of Practice at Syracuse University, Program Director of Syracuse Architecture NYC, and Principal of New Affiliates Architecture.

Haniph was selected by Criswell Davis’s family as the recipient of the 2026 scholarship following a competitive review process. Her application stood out for the quality of her essay, portfolio, resume, academic record, and letter of recommendation, as well as her thoughtful and mature understanding of biophilic design.

Previous Recipients

Tara Giblin

Tara Giblin is a first-year architecture student studying at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. She has been awarded one of two 2025 Criswell Davis Scholarships for $1,500, proudly presented by the Timber & Forestry Foundation (TFF). Ms. Giblin was nominated for the scholarship through a letter of recommendation from Mrs. Katie Cotrano, her English Teacher at Oak Forest High School in Crestwood, Illinois.

Tara was selected for the Criswell Davis Scholarship due to her passion regarding the beauty, sustainability, and long-lasting human benefits of hardwoods in design. While she is just beginning her architectural education, she comes to the process intuitively echoing Criswell’s guiding principles of biophilic design. Criswell’s family feels that Tara’s drive, focus, and honest excitement about learning all the things she doesn’t yet know would have meant a great deal to Criswell.

Diego Ortiz Cortes

Diego Ortiz Cortes is a sophomore pursuing Interior Design at the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York. He has been awarded one of two 2025 Criswell Davis Scholarships for $1,500, proudly presented by the Timber & Forestry Foundation (TFF). The scholarship was funded this year and for years to come by donations and contributions from the hardwoods industry and friends and family of Criswell Davis. Mr. Cortes was nominated for this scholarship through a letter of recommendation from John Gibson, Adjunct Assistant Professor, Dept. of Interior Design at the Fashion Institute of Technology.

Diego was selected for the Criswell Davis Scholarship due to his exceptional approach to design and his commitment to representing all that the world of natural and sustainable materials has to offer. His background and organic approach to his work absolutely embody the essence of Biophilic Design, and Criswell’s family thinks Diego is bringing a singular and holistic point of view to his work that Criswell would have found incredibly compelling.

Caroline Peloquin

Ms. Peloquin was nominated for this scholarship through a letter of recommendation from Moira Gannon Denson, ASID, IDEC, IIDA, LEED AP, Associate Professor of Interior Design and Interim Program Coordinator at the School of Design + Art at Marymount University.

Caroline was selected by Criswell’s family for the Criswell Davis Scholarship due to her exceptional approach to design, intellectual curiosity, and commitment to creating spaces that prioritize the well-being of their users. Her ability to thoughtfully integrate biophilic design principles into her work demonstrates a deep understanding of the connection between nature and human environments.

Scholarship Eligibility

Number of Scholarships: 1 in 2026, with potential to expand to more candidates in future years

Scholarship Amount: $1,500 in 2026, with potential to expand in future years

Eligible Candidates: The Criswell Davis Scholarship is open to college candidates who are committed to the principles of biophilic design and incorporating hardwoods into architectural and design projects. Eligible candidates may include undergraduate or graduate students studying architecture or interior design at an accredited institution.

Key Criteria:

Demonstrated passion for and commitment to biophilic design and the use of hardwoods in architectural projects.
Enrollment in an accredited college or university architecture or interior design program.
Strong academic record and dedication to academic excellence.
Leadership potential and a commitment to making a positive impact on the field of architecture and design.

Selection Process:

A selection committee appointed by The Timber and Forestry Foundation will review all applications. The committee will include TFF founders, industry experts, Bridget Walsh, and the Davis Family. The committee will evaluate candidates based on their academic achievements, commitment to biophilic design and hardwood integration, leadership potential, and the quality of their personal statement and recommendations.

Financial Contributions

Current donors include:

Lisa Ayala
Kristen Bartlett
Tom Coble
Ronald Cozean
Walter Lourie
Frank Miller Lumber
Hartzell Hardwoods
Timothy P Leyden
Frank Luppino
Grant Peck
Linda Noffsinger
Tad Savinar

If you are interested in being a part of this effort, we would welcome your support, either through spreading the word about the scholarship to potential financial supporters or candidates, or by direct financial contribution. As a nonprofit, any donations to TFF are tax-deductible, and can be made public or anonymous. You can contribute to the scholarship directly via credit card or ACH payment using this link. Please contact us at contact@timberandforestry.org for alternative payment methods.

We are excited about this opportunity to share Criswell’s passion and knowledge with a larger audience, and to help instill architects and designers with his influence and unique perspective.

Thank you for reading and for your consideration.

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"By bringing nature into our built environments through biophilic design we can reaffirm our symbiotic relationship with trees and reduce stress in our lives." — Criswell Davis

More Information

Award Disbursement

Scholarship recipients will be notified of their selection, and scholarship funds will be disbursed directly to the recipient's educational institution to be applied toward tuition and related expenses.

Contact Information

For inquiries and further information about The Criswell Davis Scholarship, please contact:

(937) 907-0414 or contact@timberandforestry.org