Focus and poise, on the court and in the studio
Amber Tretter, a junior on Miami’s women’s basketball team, balances sports, craft, and creativity.
Focus and poise, on the court and in the studio
Amber Tretter and Zoe Cowles, junior Miami University Architecture students, developed a design proposal for affordable housing in Murali Paranandi’s studio during fall semester.
A trio of top-tier architects practicing in Los Angeles – James Diewald (SOM), Mike Frederick (Gensler and a member of the alumni board for the College of Creative Arts), and Mike Dziubek ’06 (HKS) – mentored students on designing modular affordable-housing proposals linked to Los Angeles’s transit via Metro 10K. The three complimented Tretter and Cowles for their excellent work, thoughtfulness, attention to detail, rigor of execution, and beautiful presentation during final reviews in December.
Two days before the final review, Paranandi, professor of Architecture and Interior Design, had a scheduled studio check-in with Tretter and Cowles. Tretter, a member of Miami’s women’s basketball team, had been in the studio but had an athletic commitment as Miami was traveling to the University of Cincinnati for an afternoon game.
“She’s playing, but she’ll be back,” Cowles told Paranandi.
A few hours later, Paranandi was walking by the studio when he noticed Tretter was back, alone and quietly focused as she put the finishing touches on the model.
Curious, Paranandi asked how the game went. Tretter continued carefully gluing miniature figures onto the housing model as she calmly relayed the results of the game.
Tretter had scored the tying point to take the game into overtime, and the RedHawks prevailed 75-71 in the extra session.
“In that moment, Amber embodied a rare blend of humility and excellence: a student-athlete who could celebrate victory yet immediately return to her craft, giving her full attention to the work that truly mattered,” Paranandi said. “Her focus, poise, and dedication reminded everyone in the studio that greatness is not just about talent — it’s about discipline, humility, and the quiet commitment to do one’s best when it counts most.”
That same week, the Mid-American Conference honored Tretter as the Scholar Athlete of the Week.
Paranandi was impressed by the teamwork between Tretter and Cowles.
“Alongside Amber, Zoe Cowles also demonstrated exceptional skill and dedication throughout the semester, contributing meaningfully to the studio’s collaborative spirit,” Paranandi said.
