First Urban & Regional Science
undergraduate degrees earned

The first graduates of the Department of Landscape Architecture and Urban Planning’s new Bachelor of Science in Urban and Regional Science program earned their degrees this spring.

Highlighting their final semester, the three graduating seniors, Philip Colwell, Chris Abrams, and Brent Elliott, participated in a capstone course in which they developed educational materials on stormwater-related issues for the city of Bryan, Texas. The students, their classmates and instructor Carla Prater were honored for their efforts at the April 28 meeting of the Bryan City Council.

The BS-URS program emphasizes problem solving, communication skills, and critical thinking to create communities that are healthy, efficient, accessible, and resilient. According to program coordinator Don Sweeney, associate professor of urban planning, the program is designed to enable students “to have the skills and knowledge to make a difference.”

This fall, Colwell will begin pursing a Master of Architecture degree at the University of Texas at Arlington. Elliott is spending the summer as an intern for the city of Bryan’s Planning Services Department and will begin the graduate program in land development at Texas A&M in August. Abrams is still exploring his options on the job market. At least four more BS-URS students are expected to receive their diplomas in December 2009.

These first three BS-URS students worked through the challenges and uncertainties of a fledgling program, noted Sherry Bame, an associate professor of urban planning who played in integral role in the program’s development. “You’re the first,” she told the graduates. “You’re going to have to make your own way. I’m so glad you guys decided to do it.”

Though initial expectations for program’s growth were modest, interest has exceeded forecasts. More than 50 new BS-URS students are anticipated this fall.

- Posted: June 17, 2009-