01 A message from our DEPARTMENT HEAD

tremendous impact each of you have made on the world. This issue of InSites is full of the remarkable accomplishments of our current students and future alumni.

Department Head, Keith Christensen

For obvious reasons I often wear a hat. Most of my hats advertise Utah State University and/or the Department of Landscape Architecture and Environmental Planning. As a result, I keep meeting LAEP alumni seemingly everywhere I go, whether it is SeaWorld or a farmer’s market in rural Idaho. I am reminded of a Honda advertisement from the 1960s which I would like to rephrase to reflect my experience; You meet the nicest people wearing a LAEP hat!

LAEP alumni are the nicest people. LAEP alumni (there are well over 1,800 of us now) can be found across the globe. LAEP alumni have achieved remarkable feats in their respective fields, contributing to society in diverse and meaningful ways. As a program, we take immense pride in your accomplishments, and we wish to honor and acknowledge the

LAEP has always been more than just an educational program; it is a place where opportunities are realized, connections are forged, friendships are made, and memories are cherished. LAEP is a community. I strongly recognize the significance of reconnecting with our alumni community and strengthening the bonds that have shaped this program into what it is today. Your experiences, expertise, and insights are invaluable for our current students and faculty. Your dedication and support have been invaluable to the growth and success of LAEP, and we are eager to reunite and celebrate our shared passion for LAEP.

To that end, I am inviting LAEP alumni everywhere to gather together this coming September 2023 to celebrate being a part of the LAEP community. We are planning a variety of activities to bring us together in meaningful ways. If you are able, please come back to campus September 21st through the 23rd to engage with each other and our future alumni in studio, at a football game, and over BBQ and Aggie Ice Cream. Or if you are unable to return to campus, join us for a broadcasted LAEP Speaker Series lecture

(https://caas.usu.edu/laep/ speaker-series/index) celebrating LAEP’s distinguished alumni.

Most importantly, reach out and connect with the LAEP alumni wherever you are. Arrange a time to gather with your local alumni, reconnect with old friends and new, and let us know about it. Submit a photo of your LAEP Alumni Gathering on social media (see the links below). We have developed a website which makes it easier to connect with each other at https://caas.usu.edu/laep/alumni/ index. Stay connected with us on social media, explore our website, and make sure you receive rgular updates from LAEP by providing your current contact information here: madison.mgrath@usu.edu. Together let’s continue to build this wonderful community of LAEP alumni.

Before you gather, send me an email with your address, and I’ll send LAEP hats for your LAEP Alumni Gathering.

You meet the nicest people wearing a LAEP hat!