LAEP students monitored by experts
With a first-of-its-kind mentoring program and the only accredited landscape architecture program in the state, USU’s student chapter of ASLA (American Society of Landscape Architects) is getting national attention.
Chris Worthington, ASLA chapter president and a senior majoring in landscape architecture, said people at Utah State saw a need for students to have one-on-one interactions with professionals.
“There’s a stark difference between education and working in the professional world,” Worthington said.
Worthington said the state’s professional chapter of ASLA sent out a request to members who had more than five years of experience and would volunteer to be matched up with a student who had interests in their field. More than 25 professionals said they would be willing to participate.
“The mentor program is great because it provides a connection to someone who can help me continue to stay excited about things I’m preparing to do,” said Ben Swaner, a senior in landscape architecture and ASLA chapter vice president.
Worthington said he and the state ASLA president presented their idea and strategy at the national conference last September. At the conclusion of their presentation, the crowd gave them a standing ovation.
“They were like, ‘Yeah, we’ve heard about this for decades, but no one’s ever actually done anything,'” Worthington said. “That was really encouraging feedback to hear.”
Swaner said this week, USU will host the state ASLA conference. The national ASLA president will speak at the conference, along with others who have been involved with the department in the past.
Even with the national attention, ASLA advisor and assistant professor Keith Christensen said he thinks more people at USU should be aware of the LAEP (Landscape Architecture and Environmental Planning) program.
“The field of landscape architecture is very broad,” Christensen said. “There are lots of things you can do with it, but they all have to do with working with land, space and people.”
The landscape architecture program prepares students to design a variety of things, like playground equipment, parking lots, trails through national parks or outdoor plazas.
LAEP 1030 is an introduction to landscape architecture class that fulfills the breadth creative arts requirement. Christensen said taking the class helps students get a better grasp of landscape architects do.
“It’s a fascinating class for people to learn more about the landscape and community,” Christensen said.
Christensen also said students interested in the program should stop by the office and talk to people familiar with the major, and Swaner agreed.
“Come up to the offices here and arrange with someone to get a tour,” Swaner said. “You can walk through the studios and see what’s going on.”
Jeff Benson, ASLA chapter treasurer, is a transfer student from SLCC. He said when he first came, he didn’t know what to study. He met with an engineering advisor, and she suggested he look at the LAEP department.
“As soon as I started classes, I loved it,” Benson said. “I really like combining the logical, mathematical, analytical with the art and design. A lot of artists create things to make them look good, but we design for function as well.”
Benson said he enjoys being able to use the land as his medium. Both Benson and Swaner emphasized the problem-solving skills critical for their major.
“I’ve always been involved in the outdoors,” Swaner said. “I’ve always been a problem-solver. I like the fusion of problem-solving and dealing with the outdoors and environment. There are architects, but we’re who designs what’s outside the building. It’s exciting.”
The LAEP department attracts people with different backgrounds. Betsy Byrne is a graduate student in the program. She originally graduated in film studies from the University of Utah. Kathryn Knight is also a graduate student who went to the University of Utah and majored in English and environmental studies.
“I just became interested in environmental education,” Knight said. “I want to design spaces that have positive behavioral and psychological effects where children can learn and develop.”
Eric Anderson, a graduate student who originally majored in philosophy and English at the University of Utah, said he enjoys the program, but it takes a lot of time.
“Very few of us have jobs outside of school,” Anderson said. “It’s just so time-consuming.”
It’s also a competitive program. Of the students who apply after completing sophomore classes, only 25 are accepted into the program.
“You can’t coast,” Byrne said. “This is not an easy A.”
Along with most other professions, the economy has had an effect on landscape architects.
“A lot of the guys here have families and getting a job is critical,” Benson said.
The demand for landscape architects has gone down in recent years, but some students are still finding work.
“Already four or five students have jobs when they graduate,” Worthington said. “Back in the day there were three to four job offers per student.”
Along with the recession, the “going green” movement has made an impact on the field.
“Sustainability is becoming a huge part of landscape architecture,” Swaner said. “It’s an exciting profession to be in right now. Creating sustainable sites with solar and green roofs will get more popular as resources get more limited.”
Swaner and Benson also said the recent move of the LAEP department to the College of Agriculture has been a good thing.
“It’s opened up a lot of opportunities,” Benson said. “The funding has been awesome.”
In addition to modeling and creating projects, students in the LAEP department have been able to participate in real-life local projects, such as working on plans for the Stokes Nature Center in Logan Canyon.
“We’ve been working to design and build new trail systems, playgrounds and site amenities there,” Swaner said. “It’s cool to be part of a project that someday really will get implemented.”
Christensen said the students have been able to plan and work for CAPSA, as well as work with other communities throughout the state to plan, design and better meet the needs of its residents.
Last week, Worthington, Benson and others made a presentation in Cedar City focusing on future prospective projects.
“It’s a good hands-on experience,” Worthington said. “There are so many avenues you can go down with this major. The opportunities I’ve had through ASLA have shown me what I have the potential to become.”
– m.noble@aggiemail.usu.edu