People usually play golf to get away from their job.

But for Todd Strawn, the game was part of the reason he chose his career.

The 23-year-old Henderson native recently graduated from the University of Kentucky with a degree in landscape architecture.

Practically, that means that he will design and manage land and design human-made constructs. An example would be the redesign of a community in Russia that he helped with last summer as an intern for Sasaki Walker Associates, or SWA.

That Dallas company — which does half its work domestically and the other half internationally — is also where he now works full-time. Strawn’s domestic urban redesign projects now are in the Texas area, he said. He spends half his time designing projects and the other half making sure the project is going according to design.

“As a kid growing up, you always dream about going to UK with the basketball,” Strawn said. “It’s a really neat feeling to see everything that I accomplished over those five years (come true).”

He originally wanted to be an architect, but when he started playing golf at age 10, his focus changed a bit. He considered golf course architecture but then decided on landscape architecture, which is similar to urban planning.

After going to Holy Name School and then Memorial High School, Strawn was accepted into the College of Agriculture’s small five-year program to specifically study landscape architecture.

The experience, Strawn said, was worthwhile.

“So many kids are scared away from UK because you hear the number of 32,000 kids,” he said. “(But) the college of agriculture truly is unique.”

That’s because he was able to remain a part of what was a small program within a large university.

One important aspect of his time at UK’s College of Agriculture is the fact that he was the only student chosen to speak at his college’s recognition ceremony in May.

“Horst Schach, the chair of the department of landscape architecture, said Todd may be the best all-around student that he has seen in the last 30 years,” said Mike Mullen, the associate dean for academic programs for UK’s College of Agriculture.

Strawn was also chosen as one of the college of agriculture’s four outstanding seniors.

The reasons for his being chosen as the sole speaker and as one of four outstanding seniors are many, Mullen said.

They include Strawn’s status as a so-called ambassador for the school, representing it at high schools around the state and at alumni events. He was also active as a summer student advisor.

“He is truly a leader in his landscape architecture program,” Mullen said. “He has been very helpful as a mentor.”

A couple of Strawn’s own mentors are local residents Nola and Jerry Bernstein, who have been very encouraging in his studies and in his growth as an adult, said Strawn’s father, Tony.

He added that even though Nola Bernstein does not have children, she still has a UK sticker on the back of her car in support of Strawn.

“We’re just real proud of him,” Tony Strawn said, speaking for his wife, Margaret, as well. “He has always wanted to build and design, and now he’s going to get the chance to.”

information from : www.courierpress.com

Tags: College of Agriculture Dallas Design Holy Name School Horst Schach Jerry Bernstein Kentucky Margaret Memorial High School Mike Mullen Incoming Search Terms: ashlea beardsley landscape architecture niche landscape architecture niches study landscape architecture Recent Searches: Animal Services Advisory Board Animal Services Advisory Board Animal Services Advisory Board Animal Services Advisory Board Wiki