VTLAR Sends Entire Program to National ASLA Conference with the Generous Support of Donors

From October 4-9, the entirety of the Virginia Tech Landscape Architecture program travelled to Washington D.C. for the annual National American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA) Conference. This was the 125^th Anniversary of ASLA. While there, students were able to attend various education sessions, network with students and professionals from around the world, sketch to their hearts’ desires, expand their knowledge of technologies and products, and explore the vibrancy of Washington D.C. The trip also included the culmination of the celebration of 50 years of VTLAR in a reception at Virginia Tech’s Washington-Alexandria Architecture Center (WAAC) where alumni and friends from all 50 years got to engage in a one-on-one setting with Virginia Tech students.

Sessions were led by professionals from well-renowned firms and up-and-coming professionals to keep an eye out for. Topics for educational sessions included cutting-edge research that is shaping the forefront of the landscape architecture profession such as health and wellness, technological advancements, environmental justice, climate-friendly planning, clean agricultural practices, accessible design, among a plethora of others.

While this event happens every year, students do not always have the opportunity to go. In 2021, Virginia Tech was able to send the entirety of the program to the conference in Nashville, TN due to support from generous donors and, this year, donors made it possible again! The trip to the ASLA Conference has already been described as a highlight of many students’ educational experience at Virginia Tech and is bound to improve their skills as designers.

We would like to give a special thank you to every single individual, organization, and company who made this influential trip possible for our program. We could not have done it without you; thank you for making an impact on the trajectory of our students’ education! Generous sponsors included:

Diamond Sponsors:

·        Maglin Site Furniture

·        Sparks @ Play

·        DuMor

·        Rain Bird

·        Andrew and Jennifer Green

·        Caren Yglesias

Platinum Sponsors:

·        Billy and Molly Almond

·        Anonymous

·        Balzer and Associates

·        Country Casual Teak

·        Site Collaborative

·        Lynn Crump

·        Ben Johnson and Janice McBee

·        LSG Landscape Architecture

·        Sal Musarra, PLA

·        Andy and Karen Scherzer

·        Steve and Lynn Semones

Gold Sponsors:

·        Cite Design

·        Civil & Environmental Consultants, Inc.

·        Kona Gray

·        Vectorworks

·        WPL

Silver Sponsors:

·        Equiparc

·        Charles Hildebrandt

·        Kompan

·        Wendy Moore

·        Glenn Oder

·        Park Planning & Sustainability, LLC

·        William Stagg

·        Vanguard Charitable Endowment

·        Victor Stanley, Inc.

Bronze Sponsors:

·        Ernst Conservation Seeds – PA

·        Hord Coplan Macht Inc. – MD

·        SitePieces

·        Smith Turf + Irrigation

Read more about the impact of this transformational trip on our students:

“I feel very lucky to have not only gone to the (ASLA) conference my second year, but also my senior year. I have made multiple connections that may lead to job opportunities, multiple education sessions that will help me develop my thesis, spent valuable time with my cohort before we graduate, and also got to meet other students in our program. I am very grateful for the people who made this possible!” -Katie W, 5^th year student

“ASLA 2024 was one of the best experiences in both my professional and personal lives. I was able to learn about new design techniques for my senior thesis and new materials I can utilize in my designs. I was also able to participate in more networking opportunities within the week than I have been able to in my student career. I would love to give a massive thank you to all of the VTLAR staff, as well as donors, because none of this would have been possible without them!” -Wes S, 5^th year student

“The ASLA trip to DC allowed us to connect and glean knowledge from many professionals, but also connected the student body in a way that would not have happened if not for the generous support of the donors to the program.” -Chris B, Masters’ student

“This year’s ASLA Conference was an incredible experience. The trip helped me to learn a lot of new things about the industry and to develop professionally. Thank you for your support!” -Josh W, 3^rd year student

“As a first-year student at Virginia Tech, I’m so grateful for the opportunity to attend this year’s ASLA conference in DC! While many of my friends at other schools are still waiting to be able to declare their majors, I’ve already had the chance to participate in a professional conference for my major. Connecting with enthusiastic professionals has reinforced my passion for Landscape Architecture. I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to our generous donors- this experience wouldn’t be possible without their support. Thank you for investing in my education and my peers’ education at Virginia Tech!” -Molly J, 1^st year student

“I got to connect with various alumni and professionals from the field that gave me insightful information into formulating better designs and design techniques. The impact that this trip had on me was one that will be stuck with me for the future of my career. I would like to thank everyone who played a role in making this formative experience possible.” -Ben T, Masters’ student

“I feel like I was really exposed to a wide range of new topics and interests that not only can help me to become a better designer and student, but also more prepared for the future of my career.” -Christian H, 3^rd year student