ASLA Names 10 New Honorary Members

Among the new ASLA honorary members, from left: Bob Graham, former governor and U.S. Senator from Florida; U.S. Rep. Russ Carnahan, D-Missouri; ASLA Executive Vice President/CEO Nancy Somerville; and John Norquist, president/CEO, Congress for the New Urbanism, and former mayor of Milwaukee.

 

Government leaders, environmental activists and ASLA staff leaders are among the honorees

On Aug. 18, 2009, the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA) announced the selection of 10 new honorary members to the Society for their work in education, government, environmental activism and dedication to the landscape architecture profession. The presentation ceremony will take place at the ASLA annual meeting in Chicago, September 18-21.

ASLA honorary membership is bestowed on non-landscape architects in recognition of service to the profession and selected by the ASLA Board of Trustees.

Since its inception in 1899, ASLA has awarded 134 honorary memberships. This year's honorary members are:

Arnold Alanen, Professor Emeritus, University of Wisconsin-Madison
As a professor of landscape architecture for more than 30 years, Alanen influenced thousands of future landscape architects. He co-founded the research publication Landscape Journal, has created multiple documentaries on landscape architecture, advocated for the preservation of historic landscapes and has earned multiple ASLA awards.

Susan Cahill-Aylward, Managing Director, Information & Professional Practices, ASLA
Susan Cahill-Aylward has led multiple successful initiatives at ASLA since 1996. She oversees multiple departments and programs, including the ASLA library, the Professional Practice Networks, and information technology for the staff.

U.S. Rep. Russ Carnahan, D-Missouri-3rd
Since his election in 2004, Rep. Carnahan has championed historic preservation, sustainable transportation, conservation and environmental stewardship. He regularly cosponsors and advocates for key legislation that would create a more sustainable world. In addition, he has been a stalwart supporter of the Historic American Landscapes Survey.

Bob Graham, former Fla. Governor (1979-87) and U.S. Senator (1987-2005) from Florida
Throughout his political career, Sen. Graham led local, national and international initiatives to protect and conserve natural resources. A champion of the Everglades, he recognizes that conservation and sound development can coexist. As governor, he led the charge to secure public ownership of more environmentally endangered lands than any other state in the nation.

Stephen Hamwey, Principal, Sasaki
Mr. Hamwey has 30 years of experience in the planning and design of complex urban projects. His education in civil engineering and business (MBA) allows him to effectively lead projects for one of the leading landscape architecture firms in the world. These projects more often than not feature landscape architecture as the core discipline, earning 16 local and national ASLA awards.

John Norquist, President/CEO, Congress for the New Urbanism, and Former Mayor of Milwaukee
Over the past 20 years, Mayor Norquist has advanced the art and practice of urban design in his role as mayor of Milwaukee and as a founder and current president of the Congress for New Urbanism. The author of The Wealth of Cities, he champions the premise that good urban design can solve pressing city problems.

Sally Reynolds, Historian
Sally Reynolds' career has focused on the work of Frederick Law Olmsted and the design legacy his firm left in Washington state. A regular tour guide and lecturer, she has collected an extensive private archive of Olmsted documents and was a leader in the placement of Spokane's Olmsted-designed Rockwood Historic District on the National Register of Historic Places.

Nancy Somerville, ASLA Executive Vice President/CEO
Nancy Somerville is a leading advocate for the landscape architecture profession, particularly in the area of sustainability. Since joining ASLA in 2000, her leadership has advanced the prominence of the profession. She has been an advocate for green roofs, leading the effort to build a green roof demonstration project on the ASLA headquarters building.

Jeff Speck, Affiliate ASLA, Principal, Speck & Associate
Mr. Speck is a city planner and architectural designer who advocates internationally for smart growth and sustainable design. As director of design at the National Endowment for the Arts from 2003 through 2007, he oversaw the Mayors' Institute on City Design and created the Governors' Institute on Community Design, a federal program that helps state governors fight suburban sprawl.

Connie Spellman, Director, Omaha by Design
Under Connie Spellman's leadership, Omaha by Design has helped the city adopt sound urban design and sustainability plans. Her work has helped Omaha earn national recognition for showcasing the possibilities of quality urban design planning and implementation. A staunch advocate of landscape architecture, she brings together multiple design disciplines to generate creative solutions and wide consensus.