The following awards are given in recognition of the student’s achievement in the Certificate in Garden Design:
This award is given in recognition of a student’s outstanding contribution to the program. Along with academic achievement and creative excellent, they have been an inspiration to the class with their commitment, enthusiasm and passion.
One of the great garden innovators of the last half of the 20th century, the late English garden designer and prolific author Rosemary Verey OBE, helped launch North America’s love affair with English garden history and planting that commenced in the 1980s. Mrs. Verey was a personal friend and mentor to the certificate program founder
Ron Rule, joining him and his students on several occasions to explore Vancouver’s residential gardens. A frequent lecturer in the Pacific Northwest, Mrs. Verey enhanced our self-esteem by favourably comparing our gardening to that in Britain.
2010
Keith Tolhurst, with a PhD in Chemistry from the University of Nottingham, United Kingdom, decided to follow his passion and enroll in the 2010 UBC Certificate in Garden Design. The course has set his resolve to switch paths and formally pursue garden architecture and design.
2009
Vivian (Wei) Zhang , with a Bachelor’s Degree in Landscape Architecture from Beijing Forestry University, China, enrolled in the UBC Garden Design Certificate to improve her knowledge of local garden design.
2008
The 2008 Rosemary Verey Award went jointly to Shelley Brignall and Meghan O’Brian. Shelly’s goals are to improve her design skills and to launch her own garden design service. With a horticulture diploma already under her belt, Meghan intends to shift to a more creative and design-oriented focus in her horticultural career.
2007
Les Harris, having retired from an IT and management background, plans to redevelop his own gardens and has established his own garden design business, Spindrift Garden Designs
2006
Deborah Buszard is a Professor of Horticulture at McGill University who, while on sabbatical and a visiting scholar at UBC, completed the Certificate in Garden Design.
This award is given to a student in recognition of their ability to combine academic and practical excellence.
Victoria gardener George Radford, who died in 2005, was one of the most well-rounded garden scholars in the province, with a winning combination of historical knowledge, technical skill and design talent. A superb plantsman and a hands-on practitioner, Mr. Radford was involved with the certificate program since its inception, both as a lecturer and studio critic.
2010
Catherine Webster holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the University of British Columbia and her artistic work involves Painting and Printmaking of the Urban Environment. With 25 years of garden and business experience, the Certificate in Garden Design has assisted with her exploration of garden design as a career.
2009
Anne O’Grady is a self-employed graphic artist with a diverse portfolio but a strong focus on interpretive display. Anne would like to apply her new skills to interpretive sites so she can design landscaping, structures, select plants and integrate an interpretive aspect to her projects.
2008
Matt Kilburn is a graphic designer aspiring to make the transition to a garden design career. You can view samples of Matt's work on his website.
2007
With a variety of careers behind her, JR Rendon has ‘always’ been a gardener and hopes this program will help her become a professional garden designer.
2006
Martha Screaton-Burton is a graduate of the UBC Master of Architecture program and an intern architect.
This award is given to a student in recognition of their high academic achievement and demonstrated excellence in design, graphic presentation and team leadership.
2010
Alexander Suvajac designed gardens for his family and friends in conjunction with his industrial design degree education which led him to enroll in the UBC Certificate in Garden Design. Alex is now a master’s student in the School of Architecture and Landscape Architecture.
2009
Sandra Quinn has been an avid and devoted gardener for many years and now plans to set up a practice in the field of garden design.
2008
Nicolas de Haas enrolled in the UBC Garden Design Certificate to strengthen the professional service he provides his clients through his own design business.
2007
Cameron Woodruff has several goals, including a career in the design field and completing the UBC Master of Landscape Architecture program.
2006
Tamaka I. Fisher, who has a fine arts background, combines her position as director for an online artists gallery along with garden design projects.
