Mississippi State University's department of landscape architecture this week is commemorating its 40th anniversary with a number of alumni events, as well as public educational programs.
With a theme of "Back to Our Roots," the anniversary event features a series of public symposia Thursday [Oct. 21] that will allow professionals to earn continuing education credit and will provide practical information for others interested in attending.
Among topics for the 8 a.m.-noon presentations are shoreline ecology, nightscaping, select trees, and advanced drainage systems. Students, alumni and others interested in the topics may attend the 40-minute sessions in the department's new facility, located just off Stone Boulevard near Thompson Hall. Professionals will receive a total of 3.75 hours of continuing education credit.
Accredited by the American Society of Landscape Architects, the landscape architecture program in 1973 became a stand-alone department in MSU's College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. It offers courses of study leading to a bachelor's or master's degree in landscape architecture, or a bachelor's in landscape contracting and management.
The department was a leader in adopting digital technology, and since 1995 has required that all students have a laptop computer.
It also has been a leading proponent of sustainability in design. The building complex it occupies, completed in December 2002, utilizes a number of faculty-designed features that significantly reduce energy consumption and make the facility environmentally friendly.
In addition to public events, alumni events include a golf tournament Thursday [the 21st], a tour of the Noxubee Refuge and a concluding Friday banquet.
For more information about events for "Back to Our Roots," telephone Glenn Cook at 662-325-3012.
