2020 Distinguished Practitioner & Student Awards

This chapter program recognizes outstanding individual practitioners and students for their achievements in four practice areas; Academic, Public, Private and Student. The 2020 award categories are:  Distinguished Senior Practitioner, Distinguished Emerging Practitioner, and Distinguished Student (Cornell & ESF).  We rotate our awards annually, the schedule is noted in the column to the right.

Distinguished Practitioner 

Frederick Law Olmsted or Beatrice Ferrand

This award recognizes an outstanding individual practitioner for their achievements in three areas - design, leadership, and ASLA Chapter involvement.

Eligible candidates will have a minimum of 10 years in practice. ASLA membership is not required; however it is highly desirable and will be given preferential treatment by the jury. Open to individuals in practice areas including Academic, Private and Public or any combination of these areas. Only one award per year may be conferred in each practice area, for a maximum of three awards.

  • Distinguished Academic Practitioner

  • Distinguished Public Practitioner or Not-For-Profit Practitioner

  • Distinguished Private Practitioner

Distinguished Emerging Practitioner

Christine Klim Doell
This award recognizes an individual who has demonstrated exceptional leadership and made significant contributions to the profession early in their professional career.

Eligible candidates will have less than 10 years in practice, including non-licensed years. ASLA membership is not required; however it is highly desirable and will be given preferential treatment by the jury. Open to individuals in practice areas including Academic, Private, and Public or any combination of these areas. One award per year may be conferred.

Distinguished Student 

Bradford G. Sears or Liberty Hyde Bailey

This award recognizes students who have demonstrated exceptional leadership and service within the Department of Landscape Architecture or in other activities in the community related to the profession.

Eligible candidates will be enrolled in an accredited BLA or MLA program. BLA candidates will have completed a minimum of 80% of their degree requirements (4 years). MLA candidates will have completed a minimum of 2 years of their degree requirements; a completed Capstone or Thesis is not required provided a waiver endorsing the candidate is written by the Department Chair. Candidates must have a 3.50 or higher GPA. Open to students at Cornell and SUNY ESF. ASLA student chapter membership is required. Two awards per year may be conferred; one to a student at each school.

  • Distinguished Cornell Student

  • Distinguished SUNY ESF Student

Award Schedule

Even Years:      
Emerging Practitioner
Dist. Practitioner
Distinguished Student

Odd Years:      
Lifetime Achievement
Dist. Practitioner
Distinguished Student