2026 Recipient of the Kelly J. Edwards Architecture Scholarship
For the last seven years, Scott Edwards Architecture has awarded the Kelly J. Edwards Architecture Scholarship, honoring SEA founder Kelly Edwards' commitment to great design and mentoring the next generation of designers. Kelly's legacy continues in this scholarship, created in partnership with the ACE Mentor Program of Oregon and awarded to a student pursuing an architecture degree.
We are pleased to announce our 2026 recipient of this scholarship, Finn Burgoyne. Finn is a student at the University of Oregon, earning a Bachelor of Architecture degree. He is being awarded $5,000 along with a summer internship with SEA.
"I was struck by the determination Finn exhibited in his application. He shows a true dedication to continuing his journey in architecture."
- Jill Arnold, Associate Principal, Scott Edwards Architecture
Finn's scholarship application stood out to our selection committee. Associate Principal, Jill Arnold, describes Finn as tenacious. "I was struck by the determination Finn exhibited in his application," she says. "He shows a true dedication to continuing his journey in architecture and a willingness to keep fighting for that opportunity. I’m looking forward to working alongside him next summer."
A lifelong Portlander, Finn says he's always loved creating and has explored many mediums for this passion throughout the years. "In high school," he explains, "I was trying to decide what to major in, but I didn't know what to do. I was thinking of pursuing an arts degree, but it felt open-ended. I could do anything, but that didn't feel exciting."
Finn elaborates, saying he wanted to find a career that balanced community impact with personal interests. What he describes as "working for the community and working for yourself." Ultimately, Finn was drawn to architecture for its natural mix of creativity and real-world problem solving. The ACE Program was an essential part of helping Finn hone his creative skills and apply them to a practical yet artistic purpose.
"I really want to do something that betters the world. I wouldn’t be satisfied doing something that was fun for me but didn’t do anything else."
- Finn Burgoyne, 2026 Kelly J. Edwards Architecture Scholarship Recipient
"With so much experience in ACE, I felt completely prepared for architecture. It set me up with confidence," he says. The ACE program also taught Finn that it was okay to start messy. "It was a great foundation for starting school. It definitely taught me about iteration and brainstorming and teamwork – finding people's strengths and figuring out where best someone fits on a team."
Exploring and practicing compromise was an educational, early exposure to what Finn describes as the "intense reality" of collaboration in the architecture and design field. "You're always finding the middle ground and finding the strengths of each idea. What's great and what isn't great, even if it's your idea."
At this stage in his education, Finn is particularly interested in "the creative freedom of single-family residential" work but recognizes there is much to be discovered and explored. "I really want to do something that betters the world. It takes so much work to get into this field and there is so much possibility. I wouldn’t be satisfied if I stayed doing something that was fun for me but didn’t do anything [else]."
At SEA, Finn will have the opportunity to experience the professional side of architecture, exploring a variety of project typologies in all stages of design and construction. We look forward to helping Finn find new and creative ways to approach architecture and design when he joins us next summer for his internship.
At the same time, we thank and bid a fond farewell to Krishna Prasanna, our 2025 Kelly J. Edwards Scholarship recipient. Of his time at SEA Krishna shares, “I’ve learned so much from day one about working as a team, what it’s like to be on a project site, and staying flexible for what the day will bring.”
We’ve greatly enjoyed working with Krishna this summer and look forward to another great summer with Finn in 2027.
