Oklahoma State University Honors Halff Regional Practice Leader Lenny Hughes With Distinguished Alumnus Award

Oklahoma State University honored Halff Planning and Landscape Architecture Regional Practice Leader Lenny Hughes with its Distinguished Landscape Architecture Alumnus Award during a ceremony in Stillwater on Aug. 21.

View Lenny’s full remarks here.

Lenny has poured everything he learned at OSU into a dynamic 27-year career in urban planning and design, landscape architectural design, active transportation planning, visioning, community planning, public engagement and much more.

“This is such a great honor,” Lenny said in his remarks to the audience. “We had a small class of landscape architects, but we were passionate, competitive, thoughtful and creative. … They gave me support. They were like a family away from home.”

Lenny shared a touching story about professor Paul Hsu, who was his mentor and convinced Lenny to continue down the landscape architecture path despite early challenges.

Lenny also thanked Halff for the journey he has been on and the opportunity to make a difference on the well-being of others.

“I want to thank Halff Associates for believing in me, trusting in me and allowing me to help grow our profession,” he said.

As one of the most influential landscape architects in the South—especially in Texas—Lenny’s leadership and passion for his profession have helped Halff’s Planning and Landscape Architecture practice grow from three landscape architects and planners to more than 70 during his tenure.

Lenny is flanked by his mentor, professor Paul Hsu (left), and professor Michael Holmes, who is the head of the landscape architecture program at Oklahoma State University.