ASLA Indiana Chapter
State Association Report
Fall
The 2020 INASLA year actually began last fall at the annual planning retreat where the Executive Committee met to discuss our approach to advocacy, membership, social events, sponsorship and the Chapter budget. Little did we know what 2020 had in store for us...
As the leaves began to change, INASLA participated in the Indianapolis Monumental Awards by having a Chapter member serve on the awards jury. We also had a couple of landscape architecture firms win awards - REA won a Monumental Award and Mader Design won the People's Choice award.
In November, our very own April Westcott received the ASLA Outstanding Service Award at the National Conference on Landscape Architecture!
Congratulations April!
Winter
Over the winter we continued the tradition of the Annual INASLA Holiday party and held a number of lunch-and-learns for Chapter members looking to earn CEU's. We also supported both Purdue and Ball State by participating in portfolio reviews, mock interviews and job fairs at both schools.
Spring
Even though COVID-19 was ramping up, this spring was a very busy time for the Chapter. We were able to, once again, join the AIA in celebrating our newly licensed professionals in a combined ceremony in Indianapolis with awkward fist bumps instead of handshakes as we were all settling into the new normal.
In addition to his many responsibilities, our chapter trustee, Jonathan Geels, developed and hosted a virtual Field Day Camp for Young Girls to introduce them to the profession of landscape architecture. 14 girls, ages 9-12 and from five states, participated in an eight-week virtual camp that focused on the different phases of design and featured female leaders from around the country.
In April, we hosted virtual student Honor and Merit award presentations for both Ball State and Purdue students.
Ball State University
Lendell Ervin - Honor Award; Debbie Mattson - Honor Award;
Nancy Jones - Merit Award; Jonathan Sieg - Merit Award
Purdue University
Hoi Lam Si - Honor Award; Evelyn Simmel - Honor Award; David Armbruster - Merit Award;
Joe Ascolese - Merit Award
The Chapter also launched the inaugural INASLA Scholarship for students pursuing a degree in landscape architecture at Purdue and Ball State. We awarded a $2,000 scholarship to one student at each school based on their academic achievement, demonstrated talent and commitment to excellence. Congratulations to:
Margaret Morse - Purdue University
Jake Maple - Ball State University
In April, we also celebrated World Landscape Architecture Month 2020 with the "Life Grows Here" campaign. All month, our Chapter showcased the many ways in which life grows in the spaces Landscape Architects create. The Indiana Chapter was able to take over National's social media feeds for a day and showcase the work of our Chapter members.
Sadly, we lost one of our own this spring. Mark Holeman, a longtime ASLA member, passed away on May 3rd. Mark's work can be found throughout central Indiana and he made a lasting impact on the field of landscape architecture. Thank you, Mark, may you rest in peace.
Summer
In June our immediate past president, Julie Barnard, and president elect, Alan Rosenwinkel, presented the profession of landscape architecture to the Urban Naturalist team at Keep Indianapolis Beautiful.
We also participated in a panel discussion with the Illinois, Iowa, Michigan and Wisconsin Chapters called 'What's next? Being a landscape architecture Student During COVID-19'. Alan Rosenwinkel and April Westcott represented Indiana and provided their perspectives on the subject to a number of students and emerging professionals.
The issue of diversity in the profession has been discussed for years, both locally and nationally. We have decided to create a new position on the Executive Committee. The diversity chair will focus on the issue of diversity within our Chapter. More to come as the responsibilities of this new position are determined.
Last but not least... After deciding to move the 2020 INASLA Annual Conference on landscape architecture to Ft. Wayne, the Events Committee determined that it would be in the best interest of our Chapter members if the event were to be held virtually. Kris May is the mastermind behind pulling all of this together in a matter of months.
As my term as Chapter president comes to a close, I would like to once again thank the members of the Executive Committee and Chapter volunteers who worked tirelessly to advance the profession of landscape architecture and serve the chapter in spite of the adversity 2020 put before us. I am truly grateful for the opportunity to serve the Chapter with such a fantastic group of people! Thank you for your service!!
As seen in LASN magazine, December 2020.
