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April 10, 2007 Cal Poly Senior Receives 2007 National Planning Leadership Award PHILADELPHIA — Michael Marcus, a senior at California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo, will be honored Tuesday, April 17, at a ceremony in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, recognizing the American Planning Association's (APA) 2007 national planning award recipients. He is receiving one of two National Planning Leadership Awards for a Student Planner being presented this year. Marcus's interest in planning goes back to when, at age 15, he was a full-voting, at-large Parks and Recreation Commissioner in his hometown of Benicia, California. Later, as a high school freshmen, he became student coordinator for a group of concerned citizens who joined together to save Benicia's historic Arsenal District. Since then his enthusiasm for planning has grown even stronger. "Michael has proven leadership skills that have helped him standout since high school," said Carol Rhea, AICP, chair of the APA 2007 Awards Committee. "We are honored to recognize him and his accomplishments at Cal Poly with this award." One of his interests as an undergraduate university student has been sustainability, leading him to spearheaded formation of the Empower Poly Sustainability Coalition, a network of leaders from several existing clubs and organizations on campus. Projects being undertaken by the Coalition include converting an abandoned historical building to a sustainability hub and helping secure a mandatory education requirement for all students at Cal Poly that involves sustainability. Among his other activities as a university student have been undertaking a planning-related internship with RBF Consulting last summer; being a member of the Cal Poly Student Body President's Executive Cabinet; and serving as a director and trustee of the Cal Poly Corporation. His high academic marks at the university have placed him among the top 15 percent in his class and, with other students, he helped develop the Templeton Downtown Plan that received a 2006 Planning Award from the California Chapter of APA. Marcus has "established an outstanding record of leadership," wrote University President Warren Baker in a letter supporting Marcus's nomination for APA's student leadership award. "He has shown a particular interest in strategic planning, collaborative planning and community/advocacy planning and sustainability." Added Benicia City Council Member Elizabeth Patterson, AICP, in her letter supporting Marcus's award nomination: "Mike works hard, is dedicated to his community and has justly earned numerous distinctions. He was Benicia's delegate to the American Legion's Boys State leadership program; the lead delegate to the National Young Leaders Conference in Washington, D.C.; and, perhaps most importantly, one of Benicia's Men and Women of the Year in 2002." For Marcus, a trip to Cambodia in 2004 helped clarify why he continues to be so excited about, and interested in, planning. During that trip, he recalls, "I could not help but question why I was lucky enough to have been born into a relatively privileged life." In exchange for having such a good life, he continued, the only thing that makes the most sense "is pursuing public service opportunities and leadership endeavors in the U.S. or internationally." Given his accomplishments to date, it is a perfect match for him. Receiving the other 2007 National Planning Leadership Award for a Student Planner is Kevin Chastine, a graduate student at Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio. For a list of all of the APA 2007 National Planning Excellence, Achievement, and Leadership Award recipients, visit www.planning.org/awards/2007winners.htm. APA's national planning awards, considered by U.S. planners to be the profession's highest honor, is a tradition established more than 50 years ago to recognize outstanding community plans, planning programs and initiatives, public education efforts, and individuals for their leadership on planning issues. Contact |
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