2008 Woodie Awards
Alumnus named new director of Stockbridge school
By Katherine Neubert, Collegian Staff
Issue date: 9/2/08 Section: News
The Stockbridge School won't only be welcoming a new academic year this September, but after a two-year national search, the school chose alum William L. Mitchell to be its new director.
Mitchell earned both his undergraduate and graduate degrees in landscape architecture from the University and is being awarded the Fred P. Jeffrey Professorship, which is supported by an endowment by Alpha Tau Gamma. The endowment was named for the school's director from 1954 to 1971 and ensures that Stockbridge School will always have a director.
After graduating from the Department of Landscape Architecture and Regional Planning with a master's in landscape architecture in 1975, he worked as an associate professor of landscape architecture at the University of Maine.
Mitchell first learned about the position at Stockbridge when he attended a meeting at Michigan State University in the spring of 2007 at which Stockbridge Professor Michael Davidsohn mentioned that there was going to be a national search for a new director. For Mitchell, this was a dream come true.
"I was sitting in Dean [Jack] Denison's office just before I left for my new job at UMaine when he asked me what my long-range goals were," Mitchell said. "Without thinking and in jest, I said, 'I want your job.' Well, it never entered my mind that I would return someday to my alma mater as the Assistant Dean/Director of the Stockbridge School."
Associate Dean of the College of Natural Resources and the Environment Martha Baker worked as the interim director for the past two years and assisted in the candidate selection process.
"Bill brings enthusiasm and experience to the Stockbridge School," Baker said. "As a graduate of Landscape Architecture at UMass Amherst, he is returning to his alma mater, and I know he is excited about his new position and is looking forward to working with students, faculty, alumni and industry members."
He will also be introducing and teaching a new course called First Year Seminar for all incoming Stockbridge freshmen. Baker said the class will be a great way for Mitchell to interact with new students.
Mitchell earned both his undergraduate and graduate degrees in landscape architecture from the University and is being awarded the Fred P. Jeffrey Professorship, which is supported by an endowment by Alpha Tau Gamma. The endowment was named for the school's director from 1954 to 1971 and ensures that Stockbridge School will always have a director.
After graduating from the Department of Landscape Architecture and Regional Planning with a master's in landscape architecture in 1975, he worked as an associate professor of landscape architecture at the University of Maine.
Mitchell first learned about the position at Stockbridge when he attended a meeting at Michigan State University in the spring of 2007 at which Stockbridge Professor Michael Davidsohn mentioned that there was going to be a national search for a new director. For Mitchell, this was a dream come true.
"I was sitting in Dean [Jack] Denison's office just before I left for my new job at UMaine when he asked me what my long-range goals were," Mitchell said. "Without thinking and in jest, I said, 'I want your job.' Well, it never entered my mind that I would return someday to my alma mater as the Assistant Dean/Director of the Stockbridge School."
Associate Dean of the College of Natural Resources and the Environment Martha Baker worked as the interim director for the past two years and assisted in the candidate selection process.
"Bill brings enthusiasm and experience to the Stockbridge School," Baker said. "As a graduate of Landscape Architecture at UMass Amherst, he is returning to his alma mater, and I know he is excited about his new position and is looking forward to working with students, faculty, alumni and industry members."
He will also be introducing and teaching a new course called First Year Seminar for all incoming Stockbridge freshmen. Baker said the class will be a great way for Mitchell to interact with new students.
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