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Landscape architecture graduate student Jeff McDowell draws plans for a community park in the Architecture Building Tuesday evening. The landscape and architecture program has been ranked 15 among the nation. (The Shorthorn: Aisha Butt)
Design Intelligence ranked the landscape architecture program among the nation’s top 20 in its 2010 publication, America’s Best Architecture & Design Schools.
The university tied with Cal Poly Pomona, University of California-Berkeley and Illinois for 15th place in the listing.
Donald Gatzke, School of Architecture dean, said the school is now one of the most reputable schools in the nation. He said the landscape, interior design and architecture programs keep getting mentioned positively, and it’s good for the department.
He said the ranking is based on the reputation of architects from the school and the school’s administration.
School of Architecture accomplishments
2010
The Landscape Architecture program is ranked 15th in the nation
2008
America’s Best Architecture & Design Schools, Design Intelligence
Second best graduate architecture program in the South
2006
Fifth overall in region
Tied for first in “Most Innovative Architecture Programs” category
Source: Robert Rummel-Hudson, School of Architecture communications coordinator
“It is the first time that any of our programs have been ranked in top 20 nationally,” he said. “Being top 20 will certainly benefit students who would use the rankings as a guide to which school they want to apply to. It will help us attract a very high quality of faculty who would like to be associated with highly recognized programs.”
Landscape architecture students are required to produce a portfolio as a final project for their degree. (The Shorthorn: Aisha Butt)
Petrine Abrahams, landscape architecture graduate student,said she has been in the program for the last five years.
“I am delighted to know that I am in one of the top 20 schools in the country,” Abrahams said. “I have been impressed with the level of education provided by the school. In spite of the fact that the department is relatively small, the dedication of the professors toward the students has been remarkable.”
Architecture assistant professor Taner Ozdil said he feels landscape is making good progress.
“It will give better opportunities to recruit good students as well as scholars from other recognized universities,” he said.
Pat Taylor, landscape architecture director, said the ranking means a lot to the university community.
“National ranking is important to move the university to Tier One status,” he said. “It increases our appeal to new applicants. People are looking at our work, and they prize it.” |
