DCP dean, director inducted into AICP College of Fellows

April 28, 2008

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — The American Institute of Certified Planners inducted Christopher Silver, dean of the University of Florida’s College of Design, Construction and Planning, and Claude E. “Gene” Boles Jr., director of the department of urban and regional planning’s Center for Building Better Communities, into the elite membership of AICP’s College of Fellows at a black-tie ceremony Sunday. The ceremony was held during the American Planning Association’s National Planning Conference in Las Vegas.

For more than 80 years, AICP, the professional institute of the APA, has promoted professional excellence in the field of planning by setting high standards for competence, education, experience and ethical conduct. Election to the fellowship may be granted to planners who have been longtime members of AICP and have demonstrated excellence in professional practice, teaching and mentoring, research, community service, leadership and communication.

Silver is an internationally recognized planning scholar, teacher and consultant. He has advised the government of Indonesia where he served two Fulbright Senior Lectureships, and has contributed to the profession’s body of knowledge as co-editor of the Journal of the American Planning Association from 1993-98 and as the founding and current editor of the Journal of Planning History. As dean of the College of Design, Construction and Planning, he has expanded offerings in the college’s nationally recognized program in historic preservation, created a new Center for World Heritage Research and Stewardship, supported new curricular offerings in sustainability, and is leading a $31 million capital campaign for the college.

Boles’ 37 years in the planning field include positions in South Carolina, Oklahoma, Missouri and Florida. As director for the Center for Building Better Communities, he applies his expertise to the practice of planning through applied research, technical assistance to communities, and the creation of educational opportunities for planning students and Florida planning officials.

About 400 planners of the more than 15,500 with AICP certification have attained the status of Fellow. This year, 49 planners from 22 states were inducted into the College of Fellows.