Class Notes
Class Notes
1957
Karl Blixt (WPE) writes, “Still kicking, celebrated my 90th birthday in February Continue to follow notes about any classmates. Too far away in Gilbert, Arizona to make any personal visits.”
1960
Hugh Canham (FRM) writes, “My granddaughter, Haley Canham, (B.S. in Environmental Engineering from ESF in 2016) completed her Ph.D. in water resources engineering at Utah State University this spring.”
David Nelson (FOR) writes, “Still doing Adirondack trips from Colorado. Lost Trudi in 2024. Working family history for great stories, and the mundane, great puzzles to keep the mind working. Pleased to hear from classmates. What I remember most, great faculty.”
1968
Peter Wallace (WPE) writes, “Dick Szymanowski and Pete Wallace from ESF class of ’68 managed a reunion at a TAPPI — Fiberglass Mat meeting at NC State in October. Both are living in different parts of North Carolina and enjoying retirement and trying to stay active.”
1974
Accolades and Professional News
Ralph Edwards (LA) writes, “My landscape design build firm reached the 100-year milestone.My grandfather started it in 1924. My father was the second generation. He ran the business after he returned from World War II. I started in the late ‘70s as the third generation. The business was called Huntsville Nursery when my father and grandfather ran it. Huntsville Nursery is still our legal name, but we trade under the name Huntsville Landscaping now. My years at ESF changed my life. Even though I grew up in the business, my studies in landscape architecture opened a door to landscape design. We were trained to draft and draw designs by hand back in the early ‘70s. I never drew anything up until I was at ESF. Started with a basic drawing class then worked through scaled plan drawing and did one- and two-point perspective drawing. My training in Marshall Hall opened up a whole new world for me. Sketching landscape designs is how I communicate with my clients today. My landscape design build firm work is very rewarding, as you see your design come off the paper and into the landscape of residential and some commercial jobs. I’m very thankful for the great education I received at ESF. I sold my business four years ago and now I’m semi-retired, still doing the thing I love: designing landscapes. I’d like to give a big hello to classmates Dave Rieger and Pete Casler.”
1978
Philip Hertzog (FRM) writes, “The best honor of my high school teaching career was to articulate the skeleton of a humpback whale with 14 of my students at Stadium HS in Tacoma, Washington. The skeleton now hangs in a museum in Tacoma. McClatchy News did six articles on our efforts over a year, as well as a piece on King 5 TV. We are now celebrating the 10th year anniversary of our project. While patrolling as a volunteer backcountry ranger at Mt. Rainier National Park, a woman recognized me from news coverage and introduced herself as Sally Jewel, former director of the U.S. Department of Interior under President Obama.”
1979
Accolades and Professional News
Shawn Norton (EFB) writes, “Hello ESF Alumni Family: After 35 years working for the National Park Service, I have finally retired. I am now living the dream ... travelling in our Sprinter van and visiting friends, family and our great state and national parks. Additionally, I have begun volunteering my skills to multiple environmental organizations and serving on two environmental stewardship boards. Drop me a line and maybe we can re-connect. Best wishes to all.”
1980
Lynn Beegle (EFB) writes, “I retired from ECPI University in June 2024 after 22 years of teaching. I am enjoying retirement — time for birding, gardening, reading and volunteering. I live in Raleigh, North Carolina in a house with a bird-friendly backyard. So grateful for the education provided by ESF!”
1981
Brian (EFB) and Ellen (Carpentier) Cypher (EFB) share, “Ellen (Carpentier) and I are both retired now and living “behind the redwood curtain” up on the California north coast. Besides hiking, gardening, and some travel, Ellen is very active in the California Native Plant Society and I’m still working on journal articles and book projects. We wish everyone the best!”
Timothy Wallmeyer (ERE) and his wife Lynn are expecting their fourth grandchild this fall. Tim spent several days this summer in Wanakena and fished Cranberry Lake for the seventh year in a row, largest catch was a 5lb. 4 oz. largemouth bass.
Accolades and Professional News 
The American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA) announced the election of Louis Fusco (LA) of Louis Fusco Landscape Architects as one of 50 ASLA Fellows in 2025. ASLA Fellows are recognized for their exceptional contributions to the landscape architecture profession and society at large. Election to the ASLA Council of Fellows is among the highest honors the ASLA bestows on members and is based on works, leadership/management, knowledge and service. Louis is an extraordinary leader of social and environmental justice initiatives within the profession. He has redefined how landscape architects should consider the human and environmental risks of sourcing material, and raised awareness through the Design for Freedom movement as well as co-organizing the Earth Equity and Design for Freedom Landscape Forum for the Grace Farm Foundation. Committed to stewardship and social responsibility, he leads by example through his award-winning projects in support of material choices that reduce the risk of forced and child labor. Protecting, restoring, and improving the quality of the environment takes center stage in the projects Louis designs and manages. At St. John’s University and Pace University, he set a new standard for campus design and elevated the role of landscape architecture. He transformed a contaminated site in Pound Ridge, New York into a beloved village green, created a 200-acre urban forest in Milan, Italy, mitigated over 350 acres of private and public wetland areas throughout New York and Connecticut, and planned an accessible trail system for Connecticut’s 4000-acre White Memorial Conservation Center. These are only some of the many projects that exemplify his commitment to providing equitable access for all. Louis is a leader in promoting the profession through his active involvement in his ASLA chapter, which was celebrated when he was awarded the 2020 Yarwood Award for unselfishly giving his time and talent to further the profession. Whether writing and directing a psychological drama feature film (“After Roberto”) where landscape and environment take center stage, or as a sought-after speaker nationally and internationally, Louis is always finding creative and visionary ways to advance the understanding of the role of the profession in creating community.
1982
Todd Makenzie (CHE) writes, “Hi all, it’s been a long time. I tried to go further with an advanced level but as fate would have it I didn’t need it. Just one class and 35 years makes a pretty good deal. Travel for the job; went to China, Japan, Mexico, India, Canada… oh, married 44 years”.
1986
Accolades and Professional News
Preston Bruenn (EST) writes, “I have been working closely with the amazing Dr. Josh Millspaugh on
building the next chapter of the Camp Fire Conservation Fund Program at ESF — having
qualified candidates pursue MPA degrees at the SU Maxwell School so that the next
generations of wildlife conservationists will have dual degrees (wildlife science
and public administration) and thus better suited to lead in class wildlife conservation
efforts on the local, state and federal levels for years to come. Very exciting chapter
in ESF history and honored to be a part of it.”
1987
Accolades and Professional News
Ronald Leonard (EFB) writes, “Retired from The Nature Conservancy.”
1990
Accolades and Professional News
Michael Radner (LA) writes, “After 24 years of business ownership, I have closed Radner Design Associates and taken on the role of director of landscape architecture with Highpoint, a (now) multi-disciplinary site/civil/landscape firm. Happy to be starting my ‘third act’ and looking forward to many more years of growth and practice in landscape architecture.”
1991
Accolades and Professional News
Alan Ellsworth (EST) writes, “Retired from U.S. National Park Service this past year. Was last working as a hydrologist in the climate change response program evaluating solutions to climate change effects on park infrastructure investments. Now supporting NPS employees as a union representative and have begun teaching ESL. Enjoying post-work opportunities, including visits from Fort Collins, Colorado residence to my camp along Lake Ontario. Cheers, all.”
1993
Accolades and Professional News
Sandy McDonough (EnSci) writes, “I am retiring at the end of this next school year. I made it 30 years teaching Advanced Placement Environmental Science, Honors Biology, and Anatomy and Physiology at North Salem Central School District. It’s been a long journey and I’ve loved every minute of it, but I’m looking forward to retirement.”
2001
Accolades and Professional News
Matthew Renaud (EnSci) writes, “After recovering from a brain tumor removal surgery in October 2024, I have taken my next step in my professional progression by accepting the position of regional technical consultant for storm water compliance with Terracon. I will be responsible for building a construction storm water compliance program throughout California. I’m looking forward to mentoring junior staff, building new professional and client relationships revolving around protecting water quality. Additionally, I’m looking forward to being reelected to and serving as President of the Board for the Western Chapter of the International Erosion Control Association. Come see us in Reno in February 2027 for our annual conference. Stay well, and enjoy each day of health that we have, and be strong through the other days.”
2006
Accolades and Professional News
Scott Swayze, ESQ (EnSci), Chief of Police & Emergency Manager with SUNY Oswego, has been appointed to the Central New York Gender-Based Violence Coalition for 2025-26. He also recently published “Navigating the Depths of Preservation: A lawyer’s guide to the new Lake Ontario National Marine Sanctuary” in the November/December 2025 issue of Trends, The Journal of the American Bar Association’s Section of Environment, Energy and Resources.
2009
Emily (Sheridan) Fell (SRM) writes “Hello fellow ESF alumni!I have been working for nearly 15 years as an environmental professional with non-profits, a state agency and water resources institute under my B.S. in Natural Resources Management. For the past nine months I have been pursuing a Masters of Professional Studies in Environmental Leadership, Justice and Communication parttime at ESF. The program has been a great learning experience to build skills in problemsolving and decision-making related to current environmental issues and engagement needs, and is designed for working professionals to work towards their degree on their time, and meaningfully apply learning in their work. I have been enjoying learning environmental ethics, justice, conflict management and public relations and connecting with professors and classmates online and at graduate student events. For anyone considering graduate studies while working, I encourage checking out the program to see if this is a good fit for you!”
Accolades and Professional News
Evan Brady (LA) was appointed to the Colorado Board of Landscape Architects in May for a four-year term.
2018
ESF alumni Bronson, Pierce and Welz take on the Greek Islands!
Accolades and Professional News
Dr. Kyungsun Lee (PhD EnSci) and Dr. David Sonnenfeld are pleased to announce the publication of “Corporate Engagement and Urban Industrial Symbiosis: Lessons from Kitakyushu Eco-Town, Japan,” in Case Studies in the Environment. Drawing on the case of Kitakyushu Eco-Town, this article explores how corporate engagement interacts with municipal policy and community interests in fostering industrial symbiosis. Dr. Lee is assistant professor of geography at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock.
2021
Accolades and Professional News
Katie Fassbinder (EST) writes, “Made a career pivot to the University of Chicago Institute for Climate and Sustainable Growth in June of 2025 where I serve as the Associate Director of Educational Programs and Partnerships. My time at ESF really helped me think about my long-term career goals and move to the climate space.”
John Hooven (SRM), CCF, is now district forester for the DelAtlantic Conservation District and
a New Jersey
-approved forester.In this role, John is administering district forestry department
functions, writing forest management plans throughout New Jersey, and collaborating
with USDA-NRCS as a technical service provider. John also started his two-year obligation
as chair of NJ SAF starting January 1, 2026. In his spare time, John has been presenting
for the N.J. Pinelands Commission Pinelands Short Course(s) on mosses and introduction
to forestry. John also has some presentations that he has been circulating online
through the YouTube platform on forest health issues, including a feature called “The
Trouble with Oaks”, inspired by a passage from Professor Emeritus Ralph Nyland’s book,
Silviculture, Concepts and Applications. John continues to mentor up-and-coming forestry professionals and students as well,
reminding us all that tomorrow’s forests depend on our future generations of foresters.
2023
Rosalie Turner (EST) writes, “I wanted to share that I recently received a scholarship from the Water Environment Federation to attend the 2026 National Water Policy Fly-In in Washington, D.C., held this April. It was a true “pinch me” experience, equal parts inspiring and affirming and absolutely a goal-box checked. This journey began with the environmental policy and law courses I fell in love with at ESF, which ultimately led me to a role that bridges my passion for science and policy. During the Fly-In, I met with representatives and senators and gained firsthand experience in connecting scientific insight with effective communication.”
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