Feb. 28, 2005
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Ray Ladd
College of Architecture and Environmental Design
(805) 756-7432, rladd@calpoly.edu

Cal Poly Student Wins National Planning Award

SAN LUIS OBISPO – A Cal Poly city and regional planning graduate student
has won the 2005 student Distinguished Leadership Award from the
American Planning Association and will be honored at the group’s
national conference in San Francisco in March.

Elizabeth FitzZaland is the second Cal Poly student from the College of
Architecture and Environmental Design to win the prestigious national
award in the past six years. Alison Parnell was the winner in 2000. Cal
Poly is the only university in the country to have a student win this
award twice.

American Planning Association (APA) awards recognize “the cutting-edge
achievements of the planning profession and those involved in creating
communities of lasting value,” according to the association. The APA
will honor FitzZaland at a National Planning Conference awards luncheon
at Moscone Center in San Francisco on March 22. In addition, the March
issue of Planning magazine will feature her work.

FitzZaland was among 125 entrants in this year’s competition. She is
currently an undergraduate instructor in the university’s City and
Regional Planning Department. She also works as a facilitator for the
San Luis Obispo Council of Governments and as a project leader for a
low-income housing team.

“Ms. FitzZaland is a uniquely talented student,” said APA Awards
Committee co-chair Carol Rhea. “Her academic achievement is remarkable,
as is her dedication to improving the urban condition through planning.”

About the American Planning Association
The APA is a nonprofit public-interest and research organization
committed to urban, suburban, regional, and rural planning. APA and its
professional institute, the American Institute of Certified Planners,
strive to advance the art and science of planning to meet the needs of
people and society.

About Cal Poly’s City and Regional Planning program
The City and Regional Planning Department prepares students for
professional practice as community planners, private consultants, and
members of nonprofit groups. Students can choose from five
concentrations: community development, transportation and
infrastructure, economic development, environmental planning, and
governmental and public management. Both a master of city and regional
planning degree and a four-year bachelor of science in city and regional
planning are offered. For details visit the department’s Web site at:
http://planning.calpoly.edu.

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Editor’s Note: Photos of FitZaland are available. Please contact Ray
Ladd at (805) 756-7432 or rladd@calpoly.edu.