Kona Gray to be CED 2021 Commencement Speaker
Kona Gray(BLA '97) will deliver the spring Commencement address at the College of Environment and Design at the University of Georgia. After graduating from the CED with a Bachelor of Landscape Architecture, Gray has worked in over thirty countries over the past 26 years and is currently a Principal at EDSA in Fort Lauderdale, FL. Gray serves as President of the Landscape Architecture Foundation and Vice President for Professional Practice of the American Society of Landscape Architects, and is also, an active member of the Urban Land Institute.
Gray has shown continuous leadership within ASLA through his involvement in the Professional Awards Jury, chairing the Student Awards, and participating in the Diversity Summit. His award-winning designs creatively integrate regional resources into functional spaces that contribute to welcoming public spaces with a strong sense of place, bringing vitality back to communities.
Devin Butler, who received her Bachelor of Landscape Architecture Degree last spring and will be graduating this spring with her Master’s in Urban Planning, is looking forward to hearing Gray speak at commencement. She says, “In addition to his many known accolades and accomplishments, Kona Gray has always been an extremely kind person and an amazing mentor to me over the last four years. As a Black student looking to enter the world of landscape architecture, it was always inspiring to see someone who not only looked like me but was successful, selfless, and extremely humble. I cannot wait to hear him speak at commencement and for others to hear some of the wisdom he has to share.”
Dean Hirt is excited about Gray’s acceptance of her invitation, noting there couldn’t be a better choice of commencement speaker to hear from this year.
CED's Commencement is scheduled for Thursday May 13, 2021.
10 a.m.: Release of the Virtual CED Convocation (YouTube)
2 - 4 p.m.: Refreshments and photo opportunities will be held in the Founders Memorial Garden. Faculty and staff, please come congratulate our graduates!