This spring, CED is pleased to recognize four honor graduates from across our programs. Each embodies key aspects of what is possible with an enthusiasm for the environment and design fields of study, and we are excited to see what great work they will continue to contribute to our industry.
Braden Meadows, who will be graduating with a Bachelor’s in Landscape Architecture and a Certificate in Historic Preservation, also received the Presidential Award of Excellence, which is awarded to less than 1% of the student body. Braden has been CED’s Student Government Association Senator for the past two years. He will soon procure a Master’s in Landscape Architecture from CED through the Double Dawgs program, and in the Fall of 2021 plans to attend law school.
Julia Alcorn, in addition to graduating as Double Dawg with a Bachelor’s in Landscape Architecture and a Master’s in Environmental Planning and Design, also received the title of First Honor Graduate, which is the highest academic distinction a student at UGA may attain. In addition, she works as a Graduate Assistant and was nominated as an Olmsted Scholar. She has already accepted a position as a Landscape Designer and Urban Planner at Lord Aeck Sargent in Atlanta and will be starting there after graduation.
Timothy Brown will be graduating with a Master’s in Historic Preservation in the fall. He comes to the MHP program after several years of professional work, serving in positions such as managing editor for “Southern Distinction Magazine,” membership director for the Georgia Museum of Art, and executive director of Berry College museum. While at the CED, Brown received the Alumni Association Scholarship, served as graduate assistant to Professor Eric McDonald, worked with the Chew Crew, and did archival work in the Owens Library. His thesis explores the contributions of Patricia Irvin Cooper, a local preservationist whose projects include mapping the Old Athens Cemetery. During his program of study, Brown concentrated upon architectural history and historic landscapes. Professors Mark Reinberger, Cari Goetcheus and Shelley Cannady were particularly influential.
Hannah Rose Mayo will also be graduating with a Master’s in Historic Preservation, inspired by her love of historic structures and interest in the financial and political feasibility of preservation and adaptive reuse lead her to pursue an MHP. Her thesis, “Who Tells Your Story”: The Impact of Hamilton on Historic Site Interpretation, examines how four historic American house museums interact with the history presented in—and cultural references created by—the hit Broadway musical Hamilton. Following graduation, she hopes to pursue a career at the intersection of finance and the built environment. Rose is deeply grateful to each MHP faculty member for their sincere support and unique wisdom, particularly to her advisor, Wayde Brown, for his guidance during her thesis research. During the 2019-20 academic year, she served as a graduate assistant with the Archway Partnership, working on preservation projects in partner counties in Georgia, and is also a member of Phi Kappa Phi honors society.
Tim and Rose are both newly part of the Sigma Pi Kappa honor society, the international honor society for students of historic preservation. The MHP faculty at CED founded the society in 1991, establishing UGA as the Alpha Chapter. The purpose of Sigma Pi Kappa and its chapters is to encourage and stimulate scholarship, foster interest and accomplishment, and provide and promote leadership in the field of historic preservation.
Again, congratulations to our exceptional honor graduates. We know that you are now Prepared to Shape Our World, and can’t wait to see what they do next.