80+ Years of Design and Planning Legacy
A Program Takes Root at Utah State
In 1939, the only landscape architecture program in the Intermountain West moved from Brigham Young University to Utah State Agricultural College. Led by an Associate Professor of Landscape Architecture and joined by four students, this transfer marked the founding of what would become the Department of Landscape Architecture and Environmental Planning (LAEP) at Utah State University.
From those modest beginnings, LAEP has grown into a vibrant academic community, blending design, ecology, planning, and community engagement while remaining deeply rooted in the landscapes of Utah and the Mountain West.
Help Us Shape the Next 80 Years of LAEP
Whether you are an alumnus, current student, future student, or friend of the department, your stories and support keep LAEP’s legacy alive.
Anniversary Books
50th Anniversary | 1939-1989
The 50th Anniversary publication celebrates five decades of landscape architecture education at Utah State, highlighting the program’s early growth, foundational faculty, and the emergence of LAEP as a regional leader in design and planning.
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75th Anniversary | 1939-2014
The 75th Anniversary book offers a deeper look at LAEP’s evolution, documenting changes in curriculum, facilities, and the profession itself, while honoring the faculty, students, and alumni who shaped the department’s identity.
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Decades of Growth
1940s
The program establishes its identity at Utah State, integrating design and horticulture and responding to the needs of a growing campus and region.
1960s–1970s
LAEP expands its curriculum to include environmental planning and regional design, reflecting national conversations about ecology, open space, and urban growth.
1980s–1990s
The department strengthens professional connections, grows its faculty, and increases opportunities for students through internships, professional organizations, and community-based projects.
2000s–2010s
LAEP invests in new facilities, technology, and interdisciplinary collaborations, while expanding its reach through study abroad, charrettes, and partnerships across Utah and beyond.
Today
The department continues to evolve, integrating research, design, and engagement through initiatives like the VIVID Lab and community-engaged studios, preparing students to address complex landscape challenges in a changing world.
The People Who Built LAEP
Founding Faculty
Early faculty laid the groundwork for landscape architecture education at Utah State, establishing core courses and mentoring the first generations of LAEP graduates.
Department Leaders
Successive department heads and faculty guided LAEP through periods of growth and change, championing curriculum innovation, accreditation, and professional engagement.
Alumni & Distinguished Visitors
LAEP alumni and visiting professionals have contributed to projects, bringing the department’s values of stewardship, creativity, and community.