News from Winter 2003

This year's Studio projects

Each year the graduate and undergraduate studio courses become involved with a community project. This year the graduate Planning/Preservation Studio, taught for the first time by guest lecturer Gary Cooper of Cooper Design, is dealing with the Cross Street area of Ypsilanti.

Meanwhile, the undergraduates are developing a proposal for a 20 acre undeveloped commercial property in Ypsilanti Township. On a prominent intersection and ripe for development, they are creating preliminary plans for the property's owner.

The Battys Present

British planners Michael and Susan Batty, in the area on an extended research visit, gave a presentation to students, faculty and alumni. Susan discussed the evlolutino of British planning and its differences from planning in the U.S. Michael presented some of his cutting-edge work on computerized planning graphic tools. Questions from the audience finished the lively discussion.
Lunch with Rocky

It was the end of Winter Semester, Rocky Ward's last semester as a full-time teacher. In honor of the occasion, a number of students and alumni had lunch at the Side Track in Depot Town with Rocky. There was lively conversation about school, about planning, and about the world in general, made all the more insightful by a couple of rounds.

Ralph Pasola took some pictures, which we share with you here.
Diners Tracy Mullins, Norm Tyler, Michelle Aniol, Amy Neary, Rocky and Sheela Das
Rocky and Ralph
Ralph Pasola recognized

Ralph Pasola has long been an active supporter of EMU and our Planning Program. As a program alumnus and Coordinator for the program's Professionals Advisory Board, Ralph has stayed informed on the program's goals and activities and been there when needed.

Recently Ralph was featured in the EMU publication, EMU Casenotes, published by the College of Arts and Sciences. The lengthy article discusses Ralph's many involvements. As current Chair of the College's Resource and Development Board, Ralph has expanded the scope of his involvement even further. He is also on the Alumni Board, as well as the EMU Athletics Club.

The article also notes the fact that his entire family are EMU loyalists, with his wife, two daughters and son all attending EMU over the years.

Currently he also is an employee of the planning firm of Carlisle-Wortman Associates in Ann Arbor, where he does litigation research.

In Memoriam:
Elwood J.C. Kureth

Dr. Elwood Kureth, former Head of the Department of Geography and Geology, passed away on Saturday, March 29, 2003. He was a teacher for 38 years, and joined the EMU faculty in 1968, where he retired as department head in 1992. He was admired by all as a positive influence on the department as he worked tirelessly to advance the mission of the university.

Dr. Kureth was also active in community affairs throughout his life, being active in local government as a member of a local Planning Commission and a Board of Public Works. He also coached a number of local sports teams, including baseball, track and hockey, helping form EMU's first hockey team.

Annual Planning Program Party!
at Norm and Ilene Tyler's house

This year's Planning Program Party brought together 30-40 alumni, students, faculty and friends for drinks, snacks, and good conversation. Tours were given through the Tylers' "new" historic house, a large Greek Revival with many stories to tell.

The party extended long enough to order pizza, and later headed off to downtown Ann Arbor for some bar hopping. The group was last seen heading for Conor O'Neill's about midnight

Thanks to the student club, PLACE, for taking care of food and drinks, and to alum Andrea Brown and others for donations to help cover the costs.

New grad program has
record number of students

A new graduate degree program in GIS (Geographic Information Systems) and Planning was instituted last year. This year's Intro course had over thirty students, many of them taking the GIS option, representing significant growth for this newly popular program. You can find out more about the program by contacting Rocky Ward at 734.487.8488 or geo_ward@online.emich.edu or going to the GIS/Planning Program web site.

Student Andrew Armbruster in Paris

Undergraduate student Andrew Armbruster is spending the Winter semester studying in France. In recent emails he has indicated he's really enjoying his foreign experience, touring Paris and practicing his French.

Andrew is also working on a special honors program project, comparing planning in France with planning in U.S. cities. He's sure to have stories when he returns, and will have an advantage going into next year's course, History of Urban Form and Function, where Haussman's 19th century plan for Paris is explored.

Hit BACK button to return

Return to Home Page