The University of New Mexico

NEWS RELEASE

Contact: Carolyn Gonzales 277-5920
                                                                                    cgonzal@unm.edu
                                                                                    Jazmen Bradford: jazbradford@gmail.com

Feb. 13, 2009

Lewiecki Receives UNM Architecture and Planning’s Alumni of the Year Award
First UNM Landscape Architecture Graduate Recognized

Not many students pursue another degree after already earning both bachelor and master’s degrees, but Maura Lewiecki wasn’t the average student. “It was tough going back to school,” Lewiecki said. “I had family and my husband worked very long hours, so it was not easy keeping on top of everything.”

Lewiecki is the fourth recipient of the School of Architecture and Planning’s Maureen Walter Alumni of the Year Award, given in recognition of service to the school and the community.  Awardees are selected by the board of the school’s alumni chapter. Maureen Walter, an alumna and one of the four founders of the chapter, died in 2005. 

In 1994, 15 years after completing her graduate education in psychology, Lewiecki decided to pursue a master of landscape architecture degree, despite the fact that the UNM School of Architecture and Planning didn’t offer it at the time.

“I have always been interested in the environment, observing natural systems and experimenting with plants. Luckily, I had a natural curiosity and a love of learning that enabled me to push on,” Lewiecki said.

Due to family circumstances, it was best for Lewiecki to attend UNM rather than attempt transferring to an out-of-state institution offering an MLA.
Lewiecki met with Steve Schreiber, former director of the School of Architecture and Planning; and two faculty members – Kim Sorvig and Paul Lusk – to discuss what she could do to pursue graduate study in landscape architecture.

“It was decided that if I was willing to be the guinea pig, they would support my efforts,” she said.

Lewiecki began her classes in the summer of 1994.

“I had originally created a curriculum for myself by attempting to replicate the courses required by other MLA programs in the country,” Lewiecki said.

In 1995, Lewiecki joined the non-architectural graduate (NAG) program, a three and a half year program that led to the master of architecture degree and concentrated almost exclusively on professional preparation.

“Maura was an excellent student, thoughtful, focused, mature, self-reliant but able to adjust to and incorporate new information,” said Lusk, associate professor emeritus at the School of Architecture Planning.

Lewiecki became an example for what an established MLA program at UNM could produce. Working alongside her professors and advisors from the school – Baker Morrow, Ric Richardson, Roger Schluntz and from biology – Bruce Milne – Lewiecki completed the NAG program and coordinated her coursework to help establish the MLA program as a credible degree pathway at UNM. 

“During those years, I worked as a graduate assistant, a teaching assistant and also worked on special projects with Ric Richardson and Roger Schluntz,” Lewiecki said. She also founded the Society for Students of Landscape Architecture at UNM with the assistance of the local chapter of the Society of Landscape Architecture.

Finally in 2000, the New Mexico Board of Finance approved UNM's proposal for a master's in landscape architecture degree program and Lewiecki completed her degree, a month after the MLA program became official.

“Besides being the official guinea pig, I believe I played a role in the shaping and establishing the degree program,” she said.

After graduation, Lewiecki went to work at Sites Southwest, while continuing to work with UNM. She also served on the founding Board of the Alumni Association of the School of Architecture and Planning.

###