The Ball State Department of Landscape Architecture was ranked one of the top 10 in the United States in the 2005 Almanac of Architecture and Design, an information source for professionals in the field that includes rankings of top colleges.
Malcolm Cairns, chair of the landscape architecture department, said that department faculty hope the ranking will serve to draw more good students to the program.
"We'd like to get a little bit bigger," he said.
The organization chooses schools by asking professionals which landscape architecture accredited programs turn out the most prepared and professional graduates.
"I think it's really about the skills of our graduates," Cairns said, adding that some graduates are currently working on a landscaping project in downtown Detroit and that several students have recently won national awards for individual achievements.
Ball State President Jo Ann Gora said in a press release that the distinction "is a tribute to the sterling curriculum, the excellent facilities, the stellar faculty, the outstanding students and alumni and the hard work of the college and departmental leadership." She also said the ranking is an affirmation of "our commitment to tailoring educational experiences that help our students build meaningful and productive careers."
Cairns said he believes the program is successful because of the strength of technology and construction classes. The program also offers students specialized courses in relation to their future careers, such as sustainable landscaping and energy as well as environmental consumption .
Landscape students are also encouraged to take on learning experiences outside the norm, Cairn said.
"We're encouraging more of our students to spend some time in study abroad," he said.
Kyle Lueken, a fourth-year landscape student, spent a semester on an architecture program in which he visited several cities in 21 countries.
"We studied how design impacts the environment," Lueken said.
He said that the one-on-one attention students receive is an aspect of the department's teaching that adds to its success.
"It's a really personal program," he said.
Tom Green, a third-year landscape student, said he is proud to be part of a program that is ranked highly nationwide.
"We work hard," he said of landscape architecture students. "It makes us feel proud to stay up late nights and put in the hours."
The recognition will likely keep the students and faculty striving to maintain their high status, Cairn said.
"I think our alumni have always thought well of the program," Cairn said. "You want to continue being well thought of."
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