Mr. Michael Rose

Please note that James McCrery, our originally scheduled speaker, is no longer able to present.

A Semester in Classical Architecture: From the Parthenon to Summit Park

Mr. Michael Rose, Headmaster and Upper School architecture instructor, will share the arc of his Introduction to Classical Architecture course—from the enduring principles of ancient Greece and Rome to the culminating Summit Park Monument Design Competition. More than a course overview, this lecture reflects on architecture as a living tradition—one that forms the mind, shapes culture, and embodies human dignity. 

• How does architecture form the mind, shape culture, and embody human dignity?
• What is lost when architecture abandons tradition in favor of novelty?
• Can beauty be objective in architecture—or is it merely a matter of taste?
• How do the classical orders create harmony in buildings from ancient Greece to 21st-century America?
• What does it mean to treat architecture not as a style, but as a living tradition?

Tuesday, March 17, 2026

6:00 PM – Reception and exhibition in the Summit Park Lobby 

7:00 PM – Lecture with Q&A in the Sumit Park Symposium

The evening begins with a 6:00 PM reception featuring a gallery exhibition of student architectural work, followed by the 7:00 PM lecture and the presentation of the Summit Park monument competition results.