Sarah Boyer, a senior landscape architecture student, has taken advantage of the many opportunities UGA offers—from internships to conference management—and is well prepared to begin her career.
Hometown:
Smoke Rise, Ga.
High School:
Lakeside High School
Degree objective:
Bachelor of Landscape Architecture
Other degrees:
Certificate in Water Resources
Expected graduation:
Spring 2015
University highlights, achievements, awards and scholarships:
I am an alumna of Alpha Gamma Delta where I served on chapter counsel for three years. I have been a part of Relay for Life throughout college, serving on the executive board and as a committee head. I served as the sponsorship chairman of the LABash 2013 Conference at the University of Georgia. LABash is an annual conference for landscape architecture students, professionals and industry partners. The 2013 conference was the largest it had ever been, with more than 600 attendees and students from 20 landscape architecture programs.
I am a UGA Rotaract Service Student Award winner for the College of Environment and Design. I have had internships with CH2M Hill, the Archway Partnership at UGA and the Atlanta Beltline. This year, I will be assisting Donnie Longenecker and Tim Smalley run the 2014 CED Landscape Architecture Short Course.
Current Employment:
I am a landscape architecture fellow at the Atlanta Beltline. I started my fellowship in September 2013 and will end in May 2014. The Atlanta Beltline is a former CSX railway that is being developed into a trail and light rail system. This project is providing parks, trails, transit, public art and, most importantly, linking 45 neighborhoods in Atlanta.
Family Ties to UGA:
I do not have any immediate family that has attended the university, but my godfather and many family friends have attended UGA. But I hope I won’t be the last!
I chose to attend UGA because…
I chose to attend UGA because of the many opportunities UGA has to offer and the great alumni base.
My favorite things to do on campus are…
I have two favorite things on campus: going to UGA football games and the campus bus system. I have really enjoyed being able to go to so many great games between the hedges. Those memories will last a lifetime. I have always had an interest in mass transit and our campus bus system is really great. You can really get anywhere on campus in about 15 minutes. After the first semester of my fellowship, I really understand what goes into the planning and designing of routes and maintenance of the buses. UGA has provided great service in campus transit.
When I have free time, I like…
I like to hang out with my sorority sisters and friends from the landscape architecture program. I have lived with my sorority sisters throughout college and have remained close to them as they have graduated.
The craziest thing I’ve done is…
… live in my sorority house. As you can imagine, living with 50 of your best friends all under one roof can be quite challenging to get things done. Whether it was watching movies, pulling all-nighters or just dinner with friends, it was easily the craziest year of my life. I made some of my best friends by living in the house. The only way to describe living in a sorority house is like a giant yearlong sleepover.
My favorite place to study is…
… in the new landscape architecture building. During my first two years of studio, CED was still located in the top floors of Caldwell Hall. CED moved to the newly renovated Jackson Street Building in fall 2012. Moving to JSB was a huge improvement for students. I love the new studio space because of the high ceilings, the views and the connectivity to different years of students.
My favorite professor is…
I have a few favorite professors. In a design studio, my favorite professor has been Ron Sawhill. He really challenged me in studio to become a better designer. Professor Sawhill never hints at a solution to a design but asks you questions that really make you think about how you are affecting a space. From his classes, you can really tell he cares about what you are learning in class. I gained many of my skills as a designer from his class. A couple other people come to mind as great teachers. I have been fortunate enough to have lecturer Donnie Longenecker as a mentor. He has provided me so many opportunities to learn and grow in the field of landscape architecture. Audra Lofton is CED’s alumni relations and event planner. She is the hardest worker I know, and is always there for students in the college. Donnie and Audra have been my college father and mother throughout my time here at UGA. I would not have accomplished half of what I have done in college if it was not for the two of them.
If I could share an afternoon with anyone, I would love to share it with…
… Jane Jacobs. Her book “The Death and Life of Great American Cities” really influenced my decision to join my major. I would love to have the opportunity to talk to her and ask her questions about her studies and theories.
If I knew I could not fail, I would…
… start my own development and construction company. I would like to focus on storm water management, green building design, place making and economic development. Developers have acquired a reputation for being the “bad guys” based on poor design, unsuccessful projects and inadequate community relations. I would like to change the reputation of developers through good designs and successful projects.
If money was not a consideration, I would love to…
… visit France as long as I could. I have been before, but two weeks was not long enough. I would love to study Paris and drive through the countryside.
After graduation, I plan to…
… be employed. I am very excited to start work in my field. Landscape architecture can provide you with many, many options going into the workforce. I could work in urban design, construction, ecological restoration or storm water management design, just to name a few. I can’t wait to see where my career goes. Eventually, I would like to get my master’s in building construction or construction management. Once I gain experience, I would like to have a career in program management for large construction projects.
The one UGA experience I will always remember will be…
… working on the LABash conference. There was a core group of about 10 people that worked night and day for about five months to get everything perfect. It was an amazing event for the college and a great learning experience.