Faculty News
Smither Receives Outstanding Teaching Award
James Smither, an instructor in the Wilder School’s Urban and Regional Studies/Planning program, received the outstanding teaching award from the Virginia chapter of the American Planning Association during its recent conference at Wintergreen Resort.
The Student Representative Committee of the group manages the nomination and selection process.
“James is engaging and innovative, encouraging students to push the boundaries of planning, and challenges us to plan in unconventional and creative ways,” the nomination stated. “He does an amazing job of getting students excited and passionate about planning as a whole.”
Smither, who joined the Wilder School faculty in 2010, blends his skills as a fine artist, landscape architect, urban planner and urban design to teach the broad principles of illustration and design in the study of place. He has more than 25 years of experience in urban planning and art, and his fine art frequently appears in shows around the Richmond region.