The March 2026 issue of Landscape Architecture Magazine—the premier publication in the field, with a readership exceeding 80,000—features a cover story by Dr. Aaron Thompson, Associate Professor and Director of the Purdue University Center for Community & Environmental Design (CCED). His article, “The Co-Design Catalyst: Developing a Process for AI Text-to-Graphic Tools to Unlock the…Read more about LAM Cover Story Features Aaron Thompson’s AI Workflow[Read More]
On Tuesday, the Purdue College of Ag’s Celebration of Teaching Excellence honored two outstanding HLA faculty members. Kathryn Orvis received the Kohls Outstanding Undergraduate Teaching Award, recognizing exceptional dedication to undergraduate education. Aaron Thompson was presented with the Taylor Excellence in Teaching Innovation Award, celebrating innovative approaches that inspire student learning. Congratulations to both for…Read more about Kathryn Orvis and Aaron Thompson Honored at Celebration of Teaching Excellence[Read More]
Purdue University is spearheading a National Science Foundation–funded initiative to help Midwest rural communities withstand extreme weather by integrating agriculture with solar energy. The Midwest Agrivoltaics for Resilient Communities (MARC) incubator aims to diversify farm income, strengthen energy systems, and reduce risks from hail, heat, and wind. This interdisciplinary effort unites experts in atmospheric science,…Read more about Purdue Leads NSF-Funded Agrivoltaics Project to Boost Rural Resilience[Read More]
The 2025–2026 College of Agriculture Teaching Awards were announced today, and we are proud to share that two members of the Horticulture and Landscape Architecture (HLA) faculty have been recognized for their outstanding contributions to teaching. Kathryn Orvis will receive the Kohls Outstanding Undergraduate Teaching Award, honoring exceptional dedication to undergraduate education and student success….Read more about HLA Faculty Honored with College of Ag Teaching Awards[Read More]
Erin Percevault, HLA faculty and staff, and Purdue Extension educators are partnering with Watch Us Farm to support planning and design efforts for their future campus in Zionsville, Indiana. The organization, which helps adults with disabilities find meaningful employment, was recently featured in the Indianapolis Business Journal (https://www.ibj.com/articles/zionsville-organization-helps-adults-with-disabilities-find-work – subscription required), highlighting their impactful mission…Read more about Planning for Purpose – Purdue Collaborates with Watch Us Farm in Zionsville[Read More]
Purdue University’s Center for Community & Environmental Design has published a new article titled, “Generative AI text-to-image for community participation in landscape planning,” in Landscape and Urban Planning showcasing. The research, led by graduate research assistant Ishraq Awashra and Dr. Aaron Thompson, introduces a new approach that streamlines the process of translating community feedback into…Read more about New Publication from CCED[Read More]
This week, Dr. Aaron Thompson delivered an international webinar for the American Society for Horticultural Science, focusing on the rapidly evolving role of AI in teaching and research. His presentation, “Artificial Intelligence (AI) Research and Teaching Applications for Horticulture and Landscape Design,” highlighted work from the Center for Community & Environmental Design. The webinar showcased…Read more about Dr. Aaron Thompson Presented Webinar Hosted by ASHS[Read More]
HLA’s Aaron Thompson, Linda Prokopy, Liz Maynard, Brennan Radulski, Ishraq Awashra, and Emily Usher-DeaKyne hosted Diverse Corn Belt’s “Reimagining Agricultural Diversity” meeting at Dulls Tree Farm in Thorntown, Indiana. With over 25 participants, we had lively discussions about agricultural policy and markets in Indiana.
Aaron Thompson and Liz Maynard presented “Diversifying the Corn Belt: Challenges and Opportunities to Enhance Farmer and Community Well-Being” at the Purdue Extension Professional Development Conference in Lafayette, IN, on Dec. 5.