Florida International University’s Landscape Architecture and Environmental and Urban Design (LAEUD) Department celebrated the Class of 2026 with a vibrant awards ceremony held on April 22 in honor of Earth Day. The event brought together students, faculty, families, and industry professionals to recognize a year of exceptional work, growth, and achievement.
The ceremony highlighted the strength of the program and its community, as students were recognized for their academic excellence, design innovation, research, and service. Awards were presented by LAEUD faculty alongside leaders from prominent organizations in the field, reinforcing the program’s strong connection to the professional landscape architecture community.
Students received scholarships and honors from organizations including the Rotary Club of Miami, the Landscape Architecture Scholarship Fund, the American Society of Landscape Architects, the Landscape Architecture Foundation, the Council of Educators in Landscape Architecture, the Honor Society of Sigma Lambda Alpha, and FIU LAEUD Faculty Awards.
Scholarships and Recognitions
The Richard J. Pagliarulo Landscape Architecture Scholarship, presented by the Rotary Club of Miami in the amount of $2,500, was awarded to Krystal Schneider.
The Ernest and Virginia Makemson Landscape Architecture Scholarship, valued at $1,500, was awarded to Christopher Burgio.
The Landscape Architecture Scholarship Fund awarded $1,000 scholarships to Keith Da Costa, Leyla Carmona, and Vanessa Lasso.
Professional Organization Honors
The American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA) recognized outstanding students with Certificates of Honor and Merit. Recipients included Andres Beltran, Brittney Silva, Cesar Dechamps, Joseph Higgins, Manuel Echeverri, and Maya Alawa.
The Landscape Architecture Foundation (LAF) presented a Certificate of Recognition to Andres Beltran.
The Council of Educators in Landscape Architecture (CELA) honored Celine Elie with the Certificate of Recognition as The University Fountain Scholar.
Inductees into the Honor Society of Sigma Lambda Alpha included Cesar Dechamps and Maya Alawa.
FIU LAEUD Faculty Awards of Excellence
Faculty Awards recognized students across a range of categories that reflect the breadth of the discipline:
- Excellence in Academic Achievement: Joseph Higgins
- Excellence in Environmental Sustainability: Andres Beltran
- Excellence in Research and Analysis: Cesar Dechamps and Samantha Farjado
- Excellence in Collegiality: Brittney Silva
- Excellence in Service: Samantha Farjado
- Excellence in Design: Cesar Dechamps
- Excellence in History and Theory: Manuel Echeverri
- Excellence in Design Communication: Maya Alawa
The ceremony served as a meaningful conclusion to the academic year, celebrating not only individual accomplishments but also the collaborative spirit and dedication that define the LAEUD community.
