Named for Frederick Law Olmsted, the father of American landscape architecture, the purpose
of the Landscape Architecture Foundation Olmsted Scholarship is to identify, recognize and
support students with exceptional leadership potential who are willing to engage current and
critical issues through the use of ideas, influence, communication, service, and leadership,
thus advancing sustainable planning and design and fostering human and societal benefits.
Over time, the prestige and publicity associated with the award will
also serve to publicize the profession, its significance and opportunities, and help attract
inspired and motivated leaders. Given for leadership and vision, the $25,000 Olmsted Scholarship
is intended to be the premier award for landscape architecture students. The first Olmsted
Scholarship will be awarded in fall of 2008. Thereafter, it is LAF’s intent to increase the
number of awards and total awards available.
Jury
Barbara Faga, FASLA
EDAW Principal
Perry Howard, FASLA
ASLA President and North Carolina A&T Coordinator and Professor
of Landscape Architecture
Joe Lalli, FASLA
EDSA President and Managing Partner
Greg Ochis, ASLA
LAF President and Lend Lease Communities Project Director
Lucinda Sanders, ASLA
Olin Partnership Partner (invited)
Peter Walker, FASLA
Peter Walker and Partners, Partner in Change (invited)
Benefits for Olmsted Scholars
2008 Olmsted Scholar Benefits
- Award: One $25,000 scholarship for winner
- Ongoing recognition through use of title, "2008 Olmsted Scholar"
- All benefits listed below
2008 University Olmsted Scholar (all nominees) and Finalist Benefits
- Publicity and recognition for all nominees
- Photo and brief description of each nominee on LAF website in perpetuity, with
opportunities to update information
- Ongoing recognition through use of honorifics, as follows:
- Finalists may use the title, "2008 Olmsted Scholar Finalist"
- All nominees may use the title 2008 [University] Olmsted Scholar; for
example, "2008 Clemson University Olmsted Scholar"
- Invitation and complimentary tickets to the LAF Benefit Dinner on October 3, 2008
Eligibility
Eligible students are current fourth and fifth year undergraduate or graduate students from
any country who are pursuing a first professional or post professional degree at an LAAB
accredited program and have made a commitment to the landscape architecture profession.
Each institution may nominate one student.
Criteria for Selection
Criteria for selection include the candidate’s leadership potential in 1) the advancement
of sustainable planning and design, and 2) fostering human and societal benefits, as assessed
through the candidate’s demonstration of:
- leadership and vision
- engagement with current issues
- critical thinking
- communication skill
- personal characteristics and values
Requirements for Selected Olmsted Scholar
- Attendance at LAF benefit dinner on October 3
- Submission of a written two-page report to LAF one year after funds are received,
along with attachments of any pertinent information, such as manuscripts, proposals,
or longer reports
