School of Planning, Design and Construction

MSU ASLA Hosts Inaugural Winter Showcase

On December 6, 2025, the Michigan State University Student Chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architects (MSU ASLA) hosted its first annual Winter Showcase—an evening designed to highlight student work, strengthen community connections, and celebrate the collaborative culture of MSU ASLA.

Held in the Landscape Architecture studios at the School of Planning, Design and Construction, the event welcomed families, friends, faculty, and alumni into the academic environment where students spend much of their time designing, modeling, and collaborating. The showcase provided guests with an up-close look at coursework and design projects developed throughout the past year, ranging from site-scale planning and ecological restoration proposals to urban design concepts and regional analysis.

Purpose and Vision

The Winter Showcase was developed as part of the chapter’s broader goal to foster engagement across all levels of the academic and professional community. By organizing the event, the MSU ASLA chapter aimed to enhance camaraderie among students, promote awareness of the landscape architecture discipline, and strengthen ties between the program and its supporters. A central goal was to help participating students gain visibility for their work while providing families and friends with insight into how landscape architecture combines design creativity, ecology, and social impact.

The event also served as a platform for the chapter to build relationships that extend beyond the classroom—connections that support professional growth and establish foundations for future collaboration among peers.

Planning and Preparation

The Winter Showcase is a fully student-organized and student-led event coordinated by the MSU ASLA Executive Committee with support from volunteers across all academic years. Organizing the showcase requires extensive planning and coordination. Early in the fall semester, committee members gathered input from students to shape the event format and identify key activities. Planning phases included outreach to donors and sponsors, development of the event program, and management of logistical details such as printing student work, preparing the studios, and coordinating refreshments.

A key feature of the evening was the raffle, which served as both an engagement activity and a major fundraising effort. The chapter received contributions from 14 donors and local sponsors. Prizes ranged from sought-after items such as tickets to the MSU vs. UofM basketball game and a round of golf at MSU’s Forest Akers course to a pizza oven, floral shop certificates, and tree saplings. Each sponsor’s contribution played an important role in the event’s overall success and helped strengthen connections between the program and local businesses.

A Night of Engagement

Throughout the evening, attendees enjoyed a light dinner and trivia while exploring student exhibits and project displays. The studios were filled with conversation as students explained their design processes and discussed how each project addressed real-world issues—from stormwater management to community greenspace design. Faculty and guests appreciated the opportunity to engage with students’ academic work in an informal and collaborative setting.

The event concluded with the announcement of raffle winners, bringing everyone together to celebrate both the evening’s achievements and the generosity of the donors who made it possible. The showcase represented the culmination of weeks of teamwork and planning and was widely considered a successful debut for what the chapter intends to make an annual tradition.

Outcomes and Looking Ahead

Proceeds from the Winter Showcase will directly benefit MSU ASLA student members by reducing financial barriers to attending professional development opportunities such as the Michigan ASLA Conference and the National ASLA Conference. These events provide students with exposure to current industry trends, leadership development, and opportunities to network with professionals across the U.S.

Following the success of this inaugural event, the chapter plans to continue expanding the Winter Showcase to include enhanced sponsor engagement, formal displays of student work, and new programming that connects professional visitors to student activities. Additional funding will also support chapter initiatives such as the annual firm crawl, a professional networking trip where students visit landscape architecture firms in Michigan to learn about practice in various settings.

Through the Winter Showcase, the MSU ASLA chapter has established a new platform to highlight student achievement, strengthen community relationships, and invest in the professional growth of future landscape architects. In addition, the Winter Showcase supports peer-to-peer relationships and camaraderie that translates from academic to professional practice. MSU ASLA is proud to contribute to the success of our students and future professionals in the landscape architecture field. 

The MSU ASLA chapter extends sincere appreciation to the students, faculty, families, friends, and generous donors whose support and participation made the first Annual Winter Showcase a success.