On Saturday, May 9th PLA celebrated the graduating class of 2020. We weren’t able to hold in-person graduation events but instead came together virtually to celebrate 13 MS in Urban and Regional Planning graduates and 14 Bachelor and BS of Landscape Architecture graduates with family, friends, and PLA faculty and staff. We also congratulate our first graduate from the new Landscape and Urban Studies major.
Dept Chair Ken Genskow emceed the events which included student speakers Paige Bernhardt, Willa DeBoom, and Rachel Gasper; alumni speakers Josh Clements, Sarah McDonald, and Dan Rolfs; and faculty speakers Shawn Kelly, Carey McAndrews, Kurt Paulsen, and Eric Schuchardt. Each ceremony concluded with a virtual Jump Around dance party. It wasn’t the same as an in-person celebration, but we all enjoyed seeing our graduates and seeing messages from proud family members.
In addition to the ceremonies, graduating MSURPL students participated in a virtual Project Forum. Each student was given 4 minutes to present their professional projects, resulting in an hour full of new and interesting information and ideas! If you’re interested in seeing just what the PLA students have been working on, you’re in luck! Watch the recorded flash talks below.
While we wish we could have celebrated this milestone in person, we’re thankful we were able to celebrate virtually during graduation weekend. Chancellor Blank released a video in honor of the more than 10,000 UW-Madison students who graduated this spring. The class of 2020 has done amazing work while in school and are sure to achieve great things in their future!
