November 18, 2010
C.T. HSU HONORED WITH THE SPIRIT OF ACHIEVEMENT AWARD AT JUNIOR ACHIEVEMENT’S 2010 MID-FLORIDA BUSINESS HALL OF FAME CEREMONY

ORLANDO, Fla. (November18, 2010) – Junior Achievement of Central Florida presented C.T. Hsu, FAIA, LEED AP, with the Spirit of Achievement Award at the 2010 Mid-Florida Business Hall of Fame ceremony at the Rosen Centre Hotel on November 11.

According to the awards program guide: “With unwavering dedication, Mr. Hsu has significantly enhanced the quality of life in Central Florida and beyond as a dedicated community servant who has long supported the aims of Junior Achievement ‘to inspire and prepare young people to success in a global economy.’”

In his acceptance speech, Hsu said, “I think the lesson of my life’s journey is that with hard work and the support of a loving family, anyone – even an Asian immigrant – can be successful in America. It’s a lesson that Junior Achievement teaches every day; inspiring and empowering students to believe in themselves and make a difference in the world.”

Hsu came to America from Taiwan in 1974 to pursue a Master of Architecture in Advanced Studies degree at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). In 1984, he moved to Orlando and started C.T. Hsu + Associates. Twenty years later, the firm was honored by the American Institute of Architects as Florida’s “Firm of the Year.”

Mariah Roman, a 12th grader at Edgewater High School, presented Hsu with the award. In her introduction, she said, “What really amazes me is his dedication to help children in need. Almost 200,000 people have benefited from Mr. Hsu’s volunteer leadership, ranging from pre-kindergarten children to disabled adults. He has devoted more than 5,000 volunteer hours in the past decade in service to others.”

In her remarks, Roman said, “Because of you, I value my education a lot more, and I realize it’s not necessarily how you start out but it’s your determination to succeed and give back to your community."

C.T. Hsu + Associates (www.cthsu.com) is an award-winning architectural planning and design firm recognized as a past “Firm of the Year” winner by the American Institute of Architects - Florida Association. The Orlando, FL-based firm focuses on a mix of projects in the education, government, transportation and mixed-use development sectors. Its multidisciplinary approach ranges from urban planning and design to architecture and interiors.