Faculty: Tom Schurch

PhD, ASLA, AICP
Director and Professor
Graduate Liaison
Division of Landscape Architecture
College of Architecture
830 Van Vleet Oval, Room 162
Norman, OK 73019-6141
Phone: (405) 325-0358
Cell: (662) 617-2699
Email: schurch at OU dot edu (at = @; dot = .)

Education
University of Washington: PhD in Urban Design & Planning, 1989
Cal Poly Pomona: Master of Landscape Architecture, 1978
United States International University, Dropmore Park, Buckinghamshire, England: BA in Spanish/Art, 1971

Memberships
American Society of Landscape Architects
Council of Educators in Landscape Architecture
American Planning Association

Registration
Landscape Architect, California, #1916
Certified Planner, American Institute of Certified Planners, #011735

Teaching Experience
University of Oklahoma: Director, Associate Professor, Division of Landscape Architecture, 1999-Present
Mississippi State University: Associate Professor of Landscape Architecture, Jan. 1997-1999
Ball State University: Associate Professor of Urban Planning, June. 1994 - Dec. 1996
Ball State University: Assistant Professor of Urban Planning, Aug. 1989 - May. 1994
Texas Tech University: Assistant Professor of Landscape Architecture, Aug. 1984 - Aug. 1986
Texas Tech University: Lecturer of Landscape Architecture, Jan. 1984 - Aug. 1984
Cal Poly Pomona: Lecturer of Landscape Architecture, Summer 1984

Professional Experience
Principal, Schurch and Company, San Diego, 1982 – 1985
Principal, Cunningham, Schurch, Inc., Santa Barbara, 1981 – 1982
Project Landscape Architect, Wimmer Yamada & Associates, San Diego,1980–1981
Environmental Analyst, Hirsch & Company, San Diego, 1979 – 1980
Project Designer, John Fitzpatrick & Associates, San Diego, 1978 – 1979
Land Surveyor, Land Survey Service, La Jolla, 1972 – 1974

Publications (selected)
“Priorities for the Future: Planning for Sustainable Multiple Use.” In
Peacock, Evan and Timothy Schauwecker, eds. 2003. Blackland
Prairies of the Gulf Coastal Plain. Tuscaloosa: The University of
Alabama Press.

“Reconsidering Urban Design: Thoughts About its Definition and Status as a Field or Profession. ”Journal of Urban Design , v. 4, n. 1, pp 5-28, 1999.

"Coal Harbor and Mission Bay: Comparing New Neighborhoods for Vancouver and San Francisco," with Moura Quayle. In Charette, Catherine, ed. 1995 Issues in Canadian Urban Design. Winnipeg: Institute of Urban Studies.

"Common Culture and Regionalism as Determinants of Urban Form." Avant Garde: The Journal of Theory and Criticism in Architecture and the Arts. Vol. 5. Winter, 1991.

"Mile Square. "In Bodenhamer, David J. and Robert G. Barrows, eds. 1994. Encyclopedia of Indianapolis. Bloomington: University of Indiana Press.

"Straw Bale Building is Topic at National Conference of Planning Educators." The Last Straw. Issue No. 9. Spring 1995.

"Mission Bay: Questions About a Work in Progress." Planning Vol 57, No. 10. October, 1991.

"Angela Danadjieva: Reshaping the American Urban Center." Landscape Architecture. Vol. 78, No. 3. April/May, 1988.

"Living Classroom. "Landscape Architecture. Vol. 76, No. 6. November/December, 1986.

Research Interests
Urban Design and Urban Form - Interest in urban design includes conventional approaches to form giving in addition to aspects of regional character that are reflected in natural, historical and cultural features.  Included in this interest is concern for characteristics and means of shared understanding as they relate to sustainability, community, aesthetics and ethos within given cultures for purposes of attaining meaningful cultural, built, and natural environments.

Selected Service
Committee on Governmental Affairs, - ASLA Texas State Chapter, 1985-1986
Citizens Advisory Committee, City of Lemon Grove, California, 1979-1980
Graduate Advisory Committee, Chair, Mississippi State University, 1998-1999
College of Architecture and Planning, Promotion and Tenure Committee, Chair, Ball State University, 1988-1989
Faculty Representative - Sigma Lambda Alpha Honor Society, Texas Tech University, 1983-1984
Faculty Representative - ASLA student chapter, Texas Tech University, 1983-1984