WSU Landscape Architecture Spring Semester Newsletter 2026

School & Program Updates

Jason Peschel, SDC Director

As we conclude another successful semester at the SDC, I want to commend our students and faculty for a semester defined by creativity, rigor, and meaningful engagement. The LA Program’s community-engaged courses continue to strengthen industry partnerships while providing students with invaluable, real-world learning experiences. I am especially proud to celebrate our graduating students, whose talent and dedication position them for meaningful contributions to the profession. On a personal note, reflecting on the exceptional collegiality of the LA faculty – whether supporting each other or the students – makes my heart happy.

Jolie Kaytes, LA Program Head

Greetings from the Palouse and hoorah for our 20th newsletter! During the spring semester students visited multiple parts of the state; interacted with LA practitioners from across the country; engaged with communities; participated in lively end-of-year events and presentations; and celebrated their achievements with alumni, friends, and service learning partners. The program is grateful for your support and we are honored to forward the land grant tradition of connecting to and serving society, fostering equitability, justice, belonging, and beauty in the process. As happens in spring, we are delighted to announce the 2026 scholarship recipients. Thank you to everyone who’s been and continues to be part of these meaningful gifts.

• Endowed Scholarship for Diversity in Landscape Architecture
  Gabrielle Amadeo
• Ken Struckmeyer Student Scholarship
  Kevin Arceno
• John E. Hoffman Memorial Scholarship
  Jada Allen, Vito Altomare, Kelsie Eugenio, Douglas Kneen, Riley Kennedy, Maria Lupercio, Peter Minick, Conrad Schwenk, Ian Thorsteinson, Christina Torres, Victoria Weingarz
• Washington State Federation of Garden Clubs Scholarship
  Vianey Leveron
• WASLA Academic Scholarship
  Victoria Weinga

Course Highlights

Sophomores partnered with the UI Arboretum Board of Directors to create planting designs; develop circulation, trail, and maintenance plans; identify wayfinding and interpretive signage strategies; and reimagine the visitor experience.

Juniors partnered with WSU Facilities Services, the campus landscape architect, and the university architect to explore how scenario-based design can guide resilient, place-based campus design at WSU. Student projects integrated geospatial analysis and digital tools to develop adaptive design strategies for stormwater systems, multimodal transportation infrastructure, and other creative interventions.

Juniors also completed building another phase of the Kelly Ward Memorial Path & Plaza on campus, finalizing and implementing a planting plan in conjunction with the Campus Landscape Advisory Committee.They worked on a new mosaic tile benchtop and redesigned the memorial’s arbor, too.

Seniors partnered with the communities of White Salmon, WA and the Confederated Tribes and Bands of the Yakama Nation to generate designs that addressed the interrelated issues of housing, infrastructure, river health, resilience, and sustenance in the Columbia River Gorge.

Seniors also developed three model ordinances requested by the city of White Salmon: for shared streets, for mobile vendors, and for residential access standards.

All projects were publicly shared. We are grateful to landscape architecture practitioners, community partners, and donors for their support this semester.

LA Professional Advisory Board Notes

This semester the LA Professional Advisory Board (LAPAB) met virtually to discuss end of year events, plan spring LAVA Days, and future initiatives.

The board and program extend abundant gratitude to Craig Andersen, Jena Jauchius, Marcus Rowell, Lucas Vannice, and longtime board members Jason Anderson and Mark Brands, who all recently stepped down, or are about to. Their insights and energy have been instrumental for the program.

With goodbyes come hellos! We are thrilled that Chris Jones, Sarah Kwon, and Kristen Lundquist joined the board this January. And, we’re excited to welcome Kristin Glandon, Chris Overdorf, and Gina Smith to the board in the fall, when the academic year resumes.

And, a double shout out of gratitude to Belle Miller for serving as board chair this past year and for being willing to serve again in 2026-27!