UA LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTS EARN PROFESSIONAL AWARDS

EUREKA SPRINGS, Ark. — The Arkansas chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA) honored University of Arkansas landscape architecture faculty and alumni at their annual Arkansas awards ceremony on November 9.

Karen Rollet-Crocker, associate professor of landscape architecture, received a professional honor award along with UA alumna Melissa Evans and Carl Totemeier for their planning and urban design of the Compton Gardens in Bentonville.

The site is the home of Neil Compton, the man "credited for saving the Buffalo River and supporting its designation as the First National River in the U.S.," according to Rollet-Crocker.

"The scope of the project was to assess the need, context and planning process for a community landscape and memorial and develop a plan proposal," she says.

Based on a philosophy linking natural places to spiritual, emotional and physical health, the design uses as many types of Northwest Arkansas habitats as possible.

Fran Beatty, department head of landscape architecture, describes this project as a superior combination of research, design and planning, utilizing native plants.

"I'm proud to see our faculty and alumni being recognized for such outstanding work," Beatty says.

John Williams, founder of the School of Architecture and emeritus professor, also received a pioneer award for his devotion to the profession of landscape architecture, and Travis Brooks, adjunct faculty member and alumnus, received an honor award for the design of a private courtyard in Fayetteville.

The awards ceremony took place at the Inn of the Ozarks in Eureka Springs and was sponsored by Engley-Gillette-Henderson, Inc., Long Sales, Inc., Malmstrom-White Company and Curtis H. Stout, Inc. Special guests included Paul Morris, president of the national ASLA, Judy Brittenum, ASLA fellow and Arkansas Trustee to the ASLA National Board and Bob Callans, ASLA fellow.

Founded in 1899, the ASLA is the national professional association representing more than 30,000 landscape architects nationwide. ASLA has grown to more than 13,500 members and 48 chapters, representing all 50 states, the U.S. Territories and 42 countries around the world. ASLA promotes the landscape architecture profession and advances the practice through advocacy, education, communication and networking.