November 29, 2004

From ASLA's Annual Meeting in Salt Lake City

The Closing Banquet

At the Closing Banquet, Annual Meeting attendees gather together for a final time. The dinner celebrates the recipients of the Society's highest honors: the Jot D. Carpenter Medal; the LaGasse Medals; the Olmsted Medal; the Landscape Architecture Medal of Excellence; the ASLA Design Medal; the ASLA Firm Award, and the President's Medal. In addition to these special guests, this year 13 past presidents of ASLA were present to welcome the new president and president-elect, congratulate out-going members of the Executive Committee on jobs well done and officially welcome new vice presidents.

The Closing Banquet is the last official function presided over by the ASLA president before taking on the title "Immediate Past President." This year, it was President Susan L.B. Jacobson's pleasure to present the Society's medals and the landscape architecture firm award. Below, we feature images of the honors ceremony and selected text from President Jacobson's speech describing the accomplishments of these extraordinary men and women.

Marvin I. Adleman, FASLA, accepting the Jot D. Carpenter Teaching Medal from President Susan L.B. Jacobson, FASLA.

The Jot D. Carpenter Teaching Medal recognizes an individual who has made a sustained and significant contribution to landscape architecture education. Marvin I. Adleman, FASLA, joined the faculty at Cornell University in 1972 as the head of the school's landscape architecture program. During his more than 30 years at Cornell University, he has built the landscape architecture department into one of the foremost programs in the nation, while making his students his highest priority. He has taught three-quarters of the alumnae of the program yet continues to carry one of the largest teaching loads in the department, to serve as advisor to many students each year, and to inspire his colleagues every day.

Each year, a LaGasse Medal is presented to two individuals—one a landscape architect, the other a non-landscape architect—who have made notable contributions to the management and conservancy of natural resources and public lands.

LaGasse Medalist Virginia Anderson, Director of Seattle Center, with ASLA President Jacobson.

This year's non-landscape architect recipient is Virginia Anderson, Director of Seattle Center in Seattle, Washington. A former real estate developer, Ms. Anderson was appointed in 1988 to preserve the best of the 1962 World's Fair site and also to create new facilities. Thanks to Ms. Anderson's work, Seattle Center is now home to acclaimed ballet, opera, and theater companies; three professional sports teams; 23 cultural festivals; three museums; a public high school; an amusement park; a skateboard park; the Space Needle; the monorail; and 23 acres of open space. Over 10 million people enjoy the park annually.

James Bedwell, ASLA, receives the LaGasse Medal from President Jacobson.

The second LaGasse Medal is awarded to a landscape architect, and this year's recipient is James Bedwell, ASLA. James Bedwell began his career with the USDA Forest Service in 1979 and progressed through the ranks, becoming Chief Landscape Architect from 1996 through 2000. In that role, he was hailed for his leadership in outdoor recreation accessibility, scenic byways, scenery management, and the timely delivery of tools and resources to more than 300 landscape architects who work for the Forest Service. Of specific note was his leadership in developing the Forest Service's Built Environment Image Guide, for which he and his team received an ASLA 2004 Communications Merit Award. Mr. Bedwell is currently Forest Supervisor for the Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests and Pawnee National Grassland in Northeast Colorado.

The Olmsted Medal was instituted in 1990 in honor of Frederick Law Olmsted, the founder of the American landscape architecture profession and an early steward of the environment. It honors individuals, organizations, agencies, or programs outside the profession of landscape architecture for environmental leadership, vision, and stewardship.

Our 2004 Olmsted Medal recipient is The Honorable Joseph P. Riley Jr., Honorary ASLA, Mayor of Charleston, South Carolina. Mayor Riley could not join us this evening, but he has graciously agreed to be our opening keynote speaker for the 2005 ASLA Annual Meeting in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. Please make plans to join us next year when we will present the Olmsted Medal to him in person.

The ASLA Design Medal honors an individual landscape architect who has produced a body of exceptional design work.

A native New Yorker, M. Paul Friedberg, FASLA, began practicing with his eponymous firm in 1958. His visionary designs have been recognized with 85 national and international awards from an incredibly diverse array of organizations, ranging from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to the French Ministry of Culture. In addition, Mr. Friedberg has inspired new generations of landscape architects through his teaching at the City College of New York.

He created the landscape model for low-income housing, as well as the concept of the park plaza, now enjoyed by all segments of society across our nation and around the world. He also established the first undergraduate landscape architecture program in a major city, focusing on the social and physical issues inherent to an urban environment. His visionary contributions to urban design have established landscape architecture as a catalyst for social interaction and positive change.

Unfortunately, Mr. Friedberg is unable to be with us tonight due to illness and we certainly want to send him our warmest thoughts and wishes for a speedy recovery.

Daniel C. Van Epp addresses the membership at the Closing Banquet.

The Landscape Architecture Medal of Excellence recognizes significant contributions to landscape architecture policy, research, education, project planning, and design.

Founded in 1936, the mission of the Urban Land Institute is to provide responsible leadership in the use of land to enhance the total environment. As the preeminent, multidisciplinary real estate forum, it facilitates the open exchange of ideas, information, and experience among developers, planners, designers, and public officials dedicated to creating better places. Its cutting-edge research anticipates emerging trends and issues, making ULI one of the world's most respected organizations in urban planning, land use, and development.

Daniel C. Van Epp, president of the Howard Hughes Corporation in Las Vegas, will accept the Landscape Architecture Medal of Excellence on behalf of the Urban Land Institute.

Paul Rookwood, ASLA, and Bill Roberts, FASLA, accept the ASLA Firm Award alongside colleagues Rick Barrett, ASLA, and Kathleen A. Garcia, FASLA.

The purpose of ASLA's Firm Award is to recognize landscape architecture firms that have produced bodies of distinguished work influencing the professional practice of landscape architecture.

For 41 years, the landscape architects, architects, urban designers, and planners working for Wallace Roberts and Todd, LLC, have worked collaboratively on projects for both public and private sector clients. This firm has maintained its incredible heritage of sustainable design, first established by founding principals Ian McHarg, FASLA, and William H. Roberts, FASLA, through a new generation of landscape architect principals. Today, the firm has offices in Philadelphia, Lake Placid, Coral Gables, Dallas, San Diego, and San Francisco.

Since its founding in 1963, this firm has steadfastly maintained a position of international prominence in the advocacy and practice of environmentally responsible design. Its work for public and private clients has been honored more than 130 times by a diverse array of professional associations, public interest groups, government agencies, and institutions. The firm has established new standards of excellence in the practice of landscape architecture and created an enduring legacy for future generations of professionals.

Peter E. Walker, FASLA, and President Jacobson.

The ASLA Medal is the highest honor the Society may confer upon a landscape architect. The medal is awarded in recognition of a lifetime of achievements in design and contributions to the profession.

Now approaching the half-century mark, Peter Walker's career encompasses learning from and working with such legends of the profession as Lawrence Halprin, Stanley White, Dan Kiley, and Hideo Sasaki. In addition to winning international acclaim for his designs around the world, he has been a teacher and an author. Most recently, Mr. Walker took center stage in the design world by partnering with architect Michael Arad to win the commission for the World Trade Center Memorial, arguably the most publicly scrutinized and emotionally charged design competition ever held.

This certificate and medal are presented to Mr. Walker,

Whose lifetime achievements and contributions to the profession have had a unique and lasting impact on the welfare and the public. As one of the most accomplished, passionate, and renowned designers of our time, he has raised the visibility of landscape architecture to new heights. As an educator, he has inspired new generations of landscape architects with his unwavering commitment to design excellence. And as an author and publisher, he has documented the history of the profession and contributed generously to its body of knowledge. Each role has complemented, strengthened, and enriched the others, culminating in a powerful, enduring legacy.

Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome ASLA Medal recipient, Peter E. Walker, FASLA.

Past President Leonard J. Hopper, FASLA, accepts the President's Medal from President Susan L. B. Jacobson, FASLA

And now it comes time for a very personal part of this awards presentation, the President's Medal, which recognizes "unselfish and devoted service to the Society at the national level over a period of at least five years." The final selection is made solely at the discretion of the President and it is kept a surprise until its presentation. Tonight's recipient has many accomplishments, which merit this award, and he also serves as an inspiration to me and so many others.

He is a quiet man who leads through actions and example; he may not say much, but when he does—everyone listens. He is a selfless individual who continues to donate his time and experience in countless ways to help the profession and ASLA. He is always one to offer assistance, advice, and encouragement. He is an inspiration to everyone whose lives he has touched and may his legacy inspire generations of ASLA leaders to come.

I'd like to paraphrase from the certificate being presented this evening and mention a few of his accomplishments:

Ladies and gentlemen, please join me in welcoming Leonard J. Hopper, FASLA, recipient of this year's President's Medal.

We end this evening having celebrated the best and brightest of the profession and its advocates.

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