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.
Meet the 2025 Criswell Davis Scholarship recipients
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.
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.
Scholarship Eligibility
Deadline: May 1st, 2025
Number of Scholarships: 2 in 2025, with potential to expand to more candidates in future years
Scholarship Amount: $1,500 in 2025, 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 designs
- a 300–500-word essay written by the student applicant that discusses the importance of integrating biophilic design theories in architectural and/or interior design projects.
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 essay and recommendations.
Application
"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 to be applied toward tuition and related expenses.
Contact Information
For inquiries and further information about The Criswell Davis Scholarship, please contact: