The Landscape Architecture Foundation (LAF) announced the national award winner and four finalists in the inaugural 2008 Olmsted Scholars Program. Andrea Gaffney, a graduate student at the University of California, Berkeley, was selected as the national winner of the $25,000 scholarship. The runner-up is Stephanie Bailey, a graduate student at the University of Oregon, Eugene. The finalists are: Karl Krause (University of Virginia), Ellen Pond (University of British Columbia) and David Vogel (Kansas State University).
“The Landscape Architecture Foundation is pleased to recognize these outstanding young leaders and the incredibly high caliber of talent they represent,” said LAF President Greg Ochis. “This is the first scholarship focusing on leadership in sustainable design and planning, and LAF is excited at the opportunity to advance the profession.”
The Olmsted Scholars Program recognizes students with exceptional leadership potential who are using ideas, influence, communication, service, and leadership to advance sustainable planning and design and foster human and societal benefits.
The scholarship winner and finalists were selected by an independent jury representing leaders of the landscape architecture profession. The 2008 jury members were: Barbara Faga, FASLA, EDAW Principal; Perry Howard, FASLA, ASLA President and North Carolina A&T Coordinator and Professor of Landscape Architecture; Joe Lalli, FASLA, EDSA President and Managing Partner; Greg Ochis, ASLA, LAF President and Lend Lease Communities Project Director; Lucinda Sanders, ASLA, Olin Partnership Partner; and Peter Walker, FASLA, Peter Walker and Partners, Partner in Charge.
Juror Lucinda Sanders called the program “phenomenal,” noting that “the profession needs the next wave of leaders to be spokespersons, leaders, and designers. This program is a great place to reinforce that. It provides context for the profession and an endorsement that the Olmsted Scholars can lead and change the profession.”
The scholarship is made possible with support from founding sponsors: EDSA, HOK, the Edith Harrison Henderson Fund, Olin Partnership, the Raymond E. Page Fund and the Harriet Barnhardt Wimmer Fund/Wimmer Yamada and Caughey. Annual sponsors include: EDAW, Landscape Forms, Peridian International, ah'be landscape architects and Hunter Industries. Media support is provided by the American Society of Landscape Architects.
The Landscape Architecture Foundation was founded in 1966 to support the preservation, improvement and enhancement of the environment.
For more information, visit www.lafoundation.org.