2026 LARE Prep Week: Demystifying the L.A.R.E.

Shawn assists with the compilation and transmission of Council Records; evaluation of Council Records for CLARB Certification; and answers questions about the L.A.R.E. administration and eligibility.

Madeline is a former Akronite living in Orlando, Florida. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Landscape Architecture degree with a French minor from The Ohio State University in 2010. After the recession, she found her way back to landscape architecture with a position at Nimrod Long & Associates in Birmingham, Alabama. She gained experience in both public and private work then obtained licensure in June 2017. Later that year, Madeline joined Dix.Hite + Partners where her current project focus includes campus, roadway and streetscape design, multi-family developments, residential design, community hardscape and landscape renovations, and exterior building color studies.

Donnie Longenecker is a landscape architect, entrepreneur and educator. Currently he is the director of undergraduate programs, internship coordinator and director of continuing education at the University of Georgia College of Environment and Design (UGA CED.) During his time at UGACED, he has taught almost every course in the BLA curricula. His design studios have focused on helping organizations and municipalities with big dreams and small budgets. He also teaches professional practice and storm water management. Each year, UGA's continuing education programs provide continuing education and LARE exam prep for over 150 registered and aspiring landscape architects.