No images? Click here
FALL 2022 NEWSLETTER
Why does the Penn State Landscape Architecture APG exist?
The purpose of this APG shall be to stimulate the continued interest of all graduates of the department, to act as an advisory board to the department, and to provide a means whereby alumni may have enhanced relations and interactions with the department and for them to join for the improvement of the department in its entirety. Toward that purpose, the APG will lead efforts in financial support and development for the department’s benefit and stability.
Who is Penn State Landscape Architecture APG?
Membership in this APG is open to all graduates of this department. Membership will be conferred upon graduation from the program and will be free to all members. The affairs of the APG shall be conducted by a Board of Directors consisting of 16 members, of which 11 are voting members.
Why this newsletter?
This newsletter is a way for the Penn State Landscape Architecture APG to communicate with the larger alumni community. We will keep you up-to-date on the latest APG initiatives, goals, and any relevant department updates.
Terrie Brightman, RLA, ASLA (2004)
Hi from our LARCH APG President!
On behalf of the APG Board, I am pleased to share this newsletter with you. The past few months have been exciting for the department, students, and alumni as we all work toward finding a post-pandemic new normal. Field trips have returned, the mentorship program kicked off a new year, students are in the Stuckeman Family Building, and alumni continue to excel in design, construction, research, advocacy, and engagement. As your representatives, the APG Board would love to hear from and engage with alumni. We seek to increase involvement among alumni, students, and the department via multiple paths of engagement. Mentorship, networking and professional development, financial contributions, and volunteering your time are a few of the available opportunities. May this newsletter bring back fond memories of your time on campus, catch you up on current events, and inspire you to reach out and get involved.
Career Day 2023
The Penn State Stuckeman School is delighted to host its 37th annual Career Day on Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2023.
The Stuckeman School Career Day is a vibrant event that enables professional firms to interact with the school’s award-winning students. The event encourages discovery, student engagement, and networking with alumni and professionals across the architecture, landscape architecture, and graphic design professions.
Student Work: Study Abroad Highlight
The LARCH APG is excited to highlight two students from the current study abroad programs. Take a look to see what current students are doing around the world!
Grace Stewart, Class of 2023
Having the opportunity to study abroad in Barcelona as a part of my landscape architecture curriculum has certainly been a highlight of my time at Penn State. I very much enjoyed immersing myself in Catalan culture and learning about Mediterranean design and landscape architecture. One of my favorite parts of the trip was the urban hikes where we learned about the history of Barcelona and visited iconic landmarks like Parc Guell, Montjuic, Casa Batillo, and Sagrada Familia. I also really enjoyed our study tour to Madrid, where we went to Retiro Park – a place I have always wanted to visit.
The combination of lectures and immersing myself in an environment that was unfamiliar helped to strengthen my skills as a designer. Our studio site was in Gracia, one of Barcelona’s oldest and densest neighborhoods. My proposal focused on supporting urban bird and bat populations in Barcelona while also creating a green space for the members of the Gracia community.
I absolutely loved my time in Barcelona and feel very grateful to have been able to study there – it certainly helped me to broaden my horizons and think of my usual approach to design in a completely new light.
Max Hyman, Class of 2023
Having spent the past ten weeks in Bonn, Germany, I experienced different opportunities and places that Europe has to offer. We learned about the history and design of Bonn, Köln, and surrounding areas in the Rhineland-Palatinate. Additionally, our program’s location allowed for both personal and school-sponsored trips to neighboring countries, such as the Netherlands, Belgium, and Denmark. Having the privilege to learn through cultural experiences in Europe is something I don’t take lightly and will forever be a factor in my future design inspiration and work.
Want to help current students?
Portfolio Review: Every January, LASS holds an annual portfolio review to help students prepare for the upcoming spring career fair. This year we would like to invite alumni to join on Zoom to help us redline. For some students, this review will be their first time piecing together a portfolio, while others have already gone through multiple internships and co-ops. We cannot wait to see you there!
Parking Day: Are you a local alum who can lend a helping hand to set up Parking Day? Parking Day is a day where a group can “take over” a parking spot and convert it to a creative green space. Perfect for landscape architects! It will likely be held in late April or early May. The students would be thrilled to have alumni join them. It’s a great way to connect with students and give back to the LARCH community.
For either the portfolio review or Parking Day participation, reach out to the LASS Vice President, Miseal Marin, mam8905@psu.edu.
The new university pedestrian bridge over the Hackensack River. Photo Credit: Sahar Coston-Hardy.
Two cyclists crossing the new university pedestrian bridge. Photo Credit: Sahar Coston-Hardy.
Alumni Work: Project Highlight from Our 2022 A&A Alumni Award Winner
Project: Fairleigh Dickinson Spirit Bridge
Alum: Tavis Dockwiller
Firm: Viridian Landscape Studio
Viridian reimagined Fairleigh Dickinson University’s aging pedestrian bridge, leading a multidisciplinary team including civil, mechanical, and electrical engineers and bridge and lighting designers. This bridge is the major pedestrian link crossing the majestic Hackensack River and joins the Teaneck and Hackensack campuses. Today, the bridge is more than just a way to move from point A to point B; it unites the campuses and serves as the university’s symbolic heart. Born out of a series of three concepts, the garden bridge showcases native plants of the riverine ecosystem and links to the school’s River Eco-Park, the design of which is also led by Viridian. The team carefully designed each element, from the guard rails and planter boxes to the canvas shade structures and bridge deck patterning. Materials were chosen for their long-term durability, ease of maintenance, and sustainability. Pedestrian seating features recycled teak through a program that protects working elephants in the Republic of Myanmar. Bridge lighting has multiple programs, from everyday lighting to game day, special event, and holiday lighting. From the moment the bridge opened, it has acted as a pedestrian gathering space for students, faculty, administrators, staff, and local residents. This shared resource has changed the way people see the campus and the Hackensack River. It is now a place to be and be seen — truly the “Heart of Campus.”
“This bridge is the pride of Bergen County.” — a county worker overheard one day while enjoying the bridge.
LARCH Endowment Fund Supports Ridge and Valley Student Field Trip
Thank you for contributing to the Penn State Landscape Architecture Endowment. This endowment makes it possible for students to participate in the Ridge and Valley Field Trip.
“Ridge and Valley in the Field” introduces students to the intrinsic links among landform, geophysical and biological processes, vegetation communities, and human manipulation of the landscape through time. The course comprises a series of four one-day trips to select locations across our local Ridge and Valley landform region, providing the opportunity to examine phenomena at the site level, particularly plants, soils, and landscape contexts.
Thank you for helping our students! As always, the endowment program is open for donations. If you’d like to donate to the Penn State LARCH Endowment Fund, click here:
raise.psu.edu/LARCHProgramEndowment
Stuckeman School Director Search
The director position can be accessed here: arts.psu.edu/careers
APG Members
Terrie Brightman (2004)—President
Stacy Fisher (1979)—Vice President
Katie Kovalchik (2015)—Secretary
Chris Maurer (2014)—Treasurer
Ashley Feitel (2014)—Board Member
Evan Stone (1986)—Board Member
Jim DeTuerk (1960)—Board Member
Julie Cantola Kirsch (2009)—Board Member
Kelly Gutshall (1984)—Board Member
Eliza Pennypacker—Faculty Representative
Kelsey Knight—Director of Alumni Relations & Stewardship
Lisa Thomas (1981)—Immediate Past President and A&A Liaison
Tegan Lochner (2023)—LASS President
Mallika Bose—Interim Director of Stuckeman School
Roxi Thoren—Department Head
Interested in becoming a board member? We have elections every other year. Please reach out to Terrie Brightman (emailterrie@gmail.com) for more information.
