Who among us doesn’t feel the pull of the places that shaped us?
The idea of producing a book in celebration of the 50th Anniversary of the CED came about early in the planning stages. What better way to honor and celebrate the story and stories of the CED and the people linked by their connection to the college than to document these stories? Moreover, in documenting this legacy, a classic keepsake was created for the CED community.
Place+Meaning+Experience is a celebration of sites; actual places that have shaped who we are as a college and as people connected by the college. We chose this methodology because we believe place is fundamental to the disciplines we teach and for which we advocate. We look to place for context, inspiration, and nurturing, whether we are landscape architects, historic preservationists, or urban planners.
The stories in the book were submitted by members of the CED community. The authors were asked to write about places that were meaningful, and through which the CED story could be revealed. As University of Georgia President Jere Morehead says in his foreword to this book, "[w]ho among us doesn’t feel the pull of the places that shaped us?"
A conscious decision was made to create an actual book, something people could hold in their hands as a material object that reminds them of our foundation in the physical world. Together with our Snapshots exhibit in the Circle Gallery and the year-long series of highly visible lectures and events, the book provided an amazing opportunity for us to explore the many facets of our educational mission.
Many thanks to our contributing authors, as well as the editorial committee, led by Associate Professor Scott Nesbit, with Owens Library and Circle Gallery Director Melissa Tufts, Associate Professor Amitabh Verma, Professor Umit Yilmaz, PhD candidate Lynn Abdouni, alumnus Steve Cannon, and developmental editor Val Matthews.
Place+Meaning+Experience is available here (PDF) for all to enjoy. A limited number of copies are available as a thank you gift to all those who contribute to our CED Excellence Fund.