Robert J. Gibbs, ASLA (M.L.A. '84), will be honored by the Clinton Presidential Library”˜s School of Public Service on October 15, 2012 for his career contributions in urban planning and development. Gibbs has been asked to speak as a William J. Clinton Distinguished Lecturer where he will present: “How Great Communities are Conceived and Built”, based on his new book "Principles for Urban Retail Planning and Development."
Don Miskell of Boffa Miskell in New Zealand gives this annual Landscape Architecture address Nov. 12 at 5 p.m., in Room 1040 of the Dana Building. He will explore plans for the redesign and rebuilding of Christchurch, New Zealand's second-laregest urban area.
SNRE Professor Joan Iverson Nassauer has received the Distinguished Faculty Achievement Award from the Rackham Graduate School. The award honors senior faculty who consistently demonstrate outstanding achievements in scholarly research and/or creative endeavors; teaching and mentoring of students and junior faculty; service; and other activities that bring distinction to themselves and the University of Michigan. Nassauer joined SNRE's Landscape Architecture program in 1997. She is a member of the American Society of Landscape Architects, Council of Educators in Landscape Architecture and the International Association for Landscape Ecology.
Matthaei Botanical Gardens is celebrating its 50th anniversary and SNRE Landscape Architecture Professor Bob Grese is playing a central role in the promoting an exhibit and display commemorating the event. Grese is also director of the gardens and the Nichols Arboretum. "One of the statements Regent Fred Matthaei Sr. made when he donated the land was that he wanted the botanical gardens to be second to none in the world, so we want the public to see what progress we've made toward that goal," Grese said.
This year's Whittemore Lecture in Landscape Architecture featured a panel discussion on the topic "Landmark Women in Landscape Architecture." The Institute for Research on Women and Gender co-sponsore the lecture with SNRE.
Research being conducted by SNRE Assistant Professor Beth Diamond in the Heidelberg Cultural Village area of Detroit is featured in a report on the Fox News Channel University Network. Diamond is the lead designer on the project, which is working to implement a vision for arts-based neighborhood redevelopment for Detroit.
Two alumni of the SNRE Landscape Architecture program were honored with their industry's highest professional honor: being named a Fellow of the American Society of Landscape Architects. Honored were Carol Macht (M.L.A. '75) and Martha Schwartz (M.L.A. '78), who were recognized Tuesday at the ASLA Council of Fellows Investiture Dinner in San Diego during the ASLA 2011 Annual Meeting & Expo.
A transformation is under way on the east side of the Dana building. Based on input gathered from the SNRE community in the winter of 2011, the Dana Garden is being improved by SNRE students as part of a design/build class. The new garden will feature improved aesthetics, native plants, sustainable site design practices and increased seating opportunities.
University of Michigan Professor Joan Iverson Nassauer has a lead role in a new $27.5 million federally funded center to promote synthesis of the social and environmental sciences and produce actionable research for policy and practice.
In the (Aug. 4) edition of The New York Times, Landscape Architecture Professor Joan Nassauer discusses land-use strategies for urban areas dealing with too many vacant lots. The article, titled í¢â‚¬Å“Finding the Potential in Vacant Lots,í¢â‚¬ examines how American cities are rethinking the value of the thousands of vacant lots now reshaping their landscapes.