Distinguished Alumni

Mr. Glenn LaRue Smith (Bachelor of Landscape Architecture 1975) is the Distinguished Fellow for the Department of Landscape Architecture. The Vicksburg, Mississippi native is Principal and Co-Founder of PUSH studio, LLC in Washington, D.C. He earned his Master's of Landscape Architecture at the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor. His 40-year career focuses on cultural landscape and urbanism. His projects range from urban waterfronts, community redevelopment, and memorial design. His academic work includes chairmanships in landscape architecture programs at Florida A&M University and Morgan State University, both HBCUs. In 2012, Mr. Smith founded the Black Landscape Architects Network (BlackLAN), a nonprofit organization that supports, mentors, and helps increase the number of Black designers in the profession. As BlackLAN President, he spearheaded the establishment of the Edward Lyons Pryce, FASLA scholarship program. This role has allowed Mr. Smith to mentor the next generation of Black landscape architecture professionals for fifteen years. Currently, the 21-year resident of Washington, D.C. is working with the Hillsdale/Barry Farm Historic Preservation Committee, to preserve five buildings remaining from a former public housing development.

He is also a member of the Trust for the National Mall and the Beyond Granite Steering Committee, which is developing a model for temporary commemorative works in Washington, D.C. Mr. Smith continues to work for cultural equity in landscapes through his work on memorial and monument design and environmental justice.