Thomas Schurch takes reins of planning and landscape architecture

Published: May 11, 2010

Thomas Schurch image by: Thomas Schurch

CLEMSON — Thomas W. Schurch has been appointed chairman of Clemson University's planning and landscape architecture department.

Schurch comes to Clemson from the University of Oklahoma, where he serves as professor of landscape architecture and former director of the landscape architecture division. At Oklahoma, Schurch also founded and directs the Center for Community Based Projects. Schurch will begin at Clemson Aug. 2.

“Dr. Tom Schurch brings a wealth and breadth of experience to a unique department,” said Clifton S.M. Egan, dean of the College of Architecture, Arts and Humanities. “His career, background and many successes align beautifully with the future of the planning and landscape architecture department and its diversity of programs, which also includes interdisciplinary programs in real estate development and historic preservation.”

Schurch’s major areas of interest include urban design and community-based service learning. He received his Master of Landscape Architecture degree from Cal Poly Pomona and his Ph.D. in urban design and planning from the University of Washington. Prior to the University of Oklahoma, Schurch taught urban planning at Ball State University and landscape architecture at Cal Poly Pomona, Texas Tech and Mississippi State. He is a certified planner and licensed landscape architect.

"My vision for the department is to work with its faculty, staff, students, friends and partners in furtherance of its current outstanding position among the professions it is responsible to: planning, landscape architecture, real estate development and historic preservation,” said Schurch. “To this end, I envision enhancing common ground and unity among these four very important fields in a complex and rapidly changing global context where the need for meaningful and livable environments is essential."

The Clemson University Department of Planning and Landscape Architecture includes five professional degree programs, engaging a full spectrum of land and community management, planning and design studies. Clemson’s program in landscape architecture is ranked 17^th in the nation among undergraduate programs in landscape architecture by the Design Futures Council publication “DesignIntelligence,” the established ranking system for design programs across the United States.

The graduate program in city and regional planning is ranked 7^th in the nation among master’s degree-granting graduate programs by “The Planetizen Guide to Graduate Urban Planning Programs.” Planetizen is a news and information resource for the urban planning, design and development community.

END