memberSPOTLIGHT < Anthony Miller

Anthony Miller
South Dakota State University
Student Representative

SDSU Student Chapter President
Brookings, South Dakota

When did you realize you wanted to become a Landscape Architect?

My journey finding Landscape Architecture started with a leap of faith. I was a senior in high school when I visited the SDSU Senior Day. During this event, I saw the Landscape Architecture booth and went up to ask some questions. I was nervous, so the professor told me a story about Landscape Architects designing scuba routes through coral reefs. After hearing this story, I knew I wanted to do something as interesting as that someday.

What is your favorite landscape and why?

My favorite landscape is any landscape with elevation change. I am from eastern South Dakota, with a sea of flat prairie land. I have lived here my entire life and have always found hills and mountain landscapes beautiful.

I am a member of ASLA because…

As the student chapter president, it is one of my goals to get the word out about SDSU’s recently accredited Landscape Architecture program. For example, I visited the state capital, Pierre, SD, last fall representing SDSU to educate the state politicians about Landscape Architecture. Despite the coronavirus limitations on club activities, I invited an international firm, Ayers Saint Gross, for a virtual tour of their offices, which led to their firm sponsoring a capstone mentorship. I plan to be an active ASLA member after I graduate in May 2021. Many lessons have been learned over the past 4 years by participating in the ASLA Student Chapter. I look forward to giving back to my major and ASLA in the future.

What is the most important thing you have learned since joining the profession?

Landscape Architects have many different tools from which to draw inspiration. This puts them at the intersection of many other disciplines. There are few things a Landscape Architect cannot do the need for Landscape Architecture is worldwide. I have learned there is no problem too complicated for a Landscape Architect if you communicate and think outside the box.

What is one item you cannot live without?

I love this question, something my friends and I discuss often. I would bring with me a sunlight evaporating water purifier and Rambo’s survival knife.

Where would you like to be in 20 years?

In 20 years, I would like to be designing campuses. Academic and medical campus designs are so intriguing to me. It is like creating a specialty community at a smaller scale while still interacting with the host community in a town & gown manner.

What do you believe needs to be the next area of innovation in our profession?

I believe the next step for Landscape Architecture should be getting recognized. Everyone knows of Engineers and Architects. But no one, especially younger people, have any idea of what we do. I think the more Landscape Architects working in this world, the better chance of big changes happening for all of humanity. When I describe Landscape Architecture in my words to a stranger their eyes light up because it is such a unique and creative concept.