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LSU Landscape Architecture Professor Max Conrad Awarded ASLA Jot D. Carpenter Teaching Medal

Max ConradMax Conrad, professor of landscape architecture in LSU’s Robert Reich School of Landscape Architecture, has been selected as a recipient of the American Society of Landscape Architects Jot D. Carpenter Teaching Medal, recognizing his sustained and significant contribution to landscape architecture education.

Conrad will receive the medal during the president’s dinner on Monday, Nov. 18, as part of the ASLA annual meeting in Boston.

During his 40-year teaching career, Conrad has taught thousands of students who are now practicing landscape architects. His leadership of his school’s student travel program has allowed students to experience other ideas, places and cultures.

Conrad said it was “a very pleasant surprise” to receive the prestigious award.

“When (School of Landscape Architecture founder) Robert S. Reich somehow convinced me to return to LSU in l966 to help with teaching, I was very reluctant to do so,” said Conrad, whose research interests include urban design, regional planning, planting design and travel. “I had not considered being a teacher. But, those who knew ‘Doc’ understand how he had the ability to make things happen. With no intention of remaining more than the one semester, I agreed to return to LSU in order to help him. With this shaky beginning, I never would have dreamed that years later, former students and others would honor me with such an award. I am very grateful to all of those who supported the nomination. I wish that there was a way for me to fully express my appreciation to all who did so.”

In 2000, ASLA created the Jot D. Carpenter Teaching Medal to celebrate the outstanding life and career of professor Jot D. Carpenter, a past president of the organization. Carpenter’s position as Professor of Landscape Architecture at the Ohio State University was a formidable platform to showcase his honor, commitment and energy as an educator, leaving an indelible mark on landscape architecture education. This medal honors his contribution to education and the profession. Nominees for the award must be full-time, retired or emeritus landscape architecture faculty members who have made sustained, significant contributions to a landscape architecture program and advocated ASLA and the landscape architecture profession to students.

Criteria used to select Jot D. Carpenter Teaching Medal recipients includes:

• Demonstrating excellence in classroom instruction from the perspectives of students and peers, resulting in positive educational outcomes;
• Demonstrating commitment to the growth and development of students;
• Consistent availability to students for advice and guidance;
• Use of innovative teaching methods and techniques;
• Personal integrity;
• Passion and enthusiasm for the profession of landscape architecture;
• A record of actively encouraging student participation in ASLA.

Founded in 1899, ASLA is the national professional association for landscape architects, representing more than 15,000 members in 49 professional chapters and 68 student chapters. The society’s mission is to lead, educate and participate in the careful stewardship, wise planning and artful design of cultural and natural environments.

For more information on ASLA and the Jot. D. Carpenter Teaching Medal, visit www.asla.org.

To learn more about LSU’s Robert Reich School of Landscape Architecture, visit http://landscape.lsu.edu.

Contact Aaron Looney
LSU Media Relations
225-578-3871
alooney@lsu.edu