Professor Fowler Named Most Admired Educator of 2012

DesignIntelligence (DI) annually honors twenty-five individuals who exemplify excellence in education and education administration. This national honor is open to individuals in architecture, industrial design, interior design, and landscape architecture. This year, the College of Architecture and Environmental Design congratulates professor Thomas Fowler for achieving a place on the DI Top 25 Most Admired Educators of 2012.

Go to News & Events for the full story. Cal Poly news release.

CRP Alumnus Named Architect of the Year by Golf Magazine

City and Regional Planning alumnus, Brian Curley (‘82), and his partner at Schmidt-Curley Design, Lee Schmidt, have been named 2011 ‘Architects of the Year’ by Golf Magazine.

Brian Curley developed his interest in designing golf courses while working as a caddie at courses around his hometown of Pebble Beach, CA. Upon graduating from Cal Poly, he accepted a position as land planner with Landmark Golf Company where, over time, golf course design and construction became his primary focus.

The partners founded Schmidt-Curley Design in 1997 in Scottsdale, Ariz., eventually branching out with offices today in Haikou and Kunming, China. Their golf courses have hosted world class PGA, European and LPGA tours. The innovative and influential firm has received many awards in addition to their latest acclaim, including Asian Golf Monthly’s 2011 ‘Best Golf Course Architects.’

In addition to the firm’s Principal, Brian Curley, Schmidt-Curley Design employs two Cal Poly landscape architecture alums as lead designers: Grant Haserot (LARC, ‘87) and Andy Raugust (LARC, ‘85).

To read more about Schmidt-Curley Design's award go toGolf Business News.

Grad Students to Update General Plan for City of Newark

Fifteen graduate students gain hands on experience as they, along with Professor Cornelius Nuworsoo of Cal Poly's City and Regional Planning Department, have been contracted by the city of Newark, Calif., to update its 20-year-old General Plan.

Residents of Newark will attend a series of meetings to provide input on potential improvements to city structure as part of the Newark General Plan Enhancement Project. Students will collaborate with residents, city workers, conduct surveys and research to create a plan that reflects the city's vision.

The General Plan will be used as a policy guide for city and county leaders involved in future development of Newark. For more information about the project, go to Newark Patch.

Announcing New Director of Development

The College of Architecture and Environmental Design introduces its new Director of Development, Allie Jones.

Prior to joining CAED, Allie served as Regional Development Director for Cal Poly's University Advancement team. She brings a wealth of experience working in fundraising, planned and major giving, corporate and foundation relations, non-profit organizations, and alumni relations.

Please join us in welcoming Allie to her new position as Director of Development for the College.

Architecture and Landscape Arch Programs Earn Top Honors Again from DesignIntelligence

Cal Poly continues to lead the nation's architecture and design programs in an annual survey by the monthly journal DesignIntelligence.

DesignIntelligence ranks Cal Poly's landscape architecture program first in the Western region and third in national undergraduate programs in preparing students for success. Cal Poly tied with Purdue University and Texas A&M. Louisiana State and Penn State ranked first and second, respectively.

Cal Poly's architecture program ranks fourth, following Cornell University, the University of Texas at Austin, and Virginia Tech, and it earned top honors for the fifth consecutive year in the methods and materials category. The landscape architecture program also earned top honors in the category of cross-disciplinary teamwork.

Read the full news release.

Dean Jones Returns to Teaching

Dean R. Thomas Jones has announced that he will be stepping down to teach in the Architecture Department.

His tenure as dean of the College of Architecture and Environmental Design began in 2003. He will continue to serve in that role until mid year 2012, when it is anticipated that a new dean for the college will take the reigns. Jones is excited about teaching and will continue his efforts to expand the CAED Metro Programs.

"My tenure as dean has been incredibly fulfilling and satisfying, but now it's time for a new person with a fresh perspective to guide the college to an even higher level," says Jones.

To view the full media release, go to the Cal Poly news page.