Long-lost Classmates

John Tschiderer was a student in the Landscape Architecture program with Steve McHale. Both graduated in 1983, pursued careers and lived their lives, until their generosity reconnected them.  

“John and I met each other when we were freshman,” McHale said. “There’s a lot of collaboration with projects in landscape architecture classes, so you get to know one another fairly quickly.” 

The two young men were on the five-year plan because of the program’s rigor. 

“Given the significant amount of studio time in the late hours of darkness also provided chances to get to know each other,” Tschiderer said. “I remember Steve quick with a laugh and an easy-going style, which I had neither. We both survived college and launched in two different professional directions, never really having the chance to stay connected.” 

McHale has lived in Annapolis, Maryland, for 30 years, never knowing just how close his classmate was.  

“I went right to work with my brother,” McHale said. “We’ve been partners for 40 years. In my junior year, the two of us decided to partner and start a design-build firm, focusing on high-end residential landscape architecture and construction.” 

The two created and still co-own McHale Landscape Design with five offices around the mid-Atlantic area.

“Over the years we have hired over 15 people from WVU’s landscape architecture program,” McHale added. “We’ve found some quality people that have come out of the program. Right now, we currently employ nine people who are graduates of WVU.” 

McHale would come back to Morgantown to guest speak at the pro-practice classes and talk about his company, entrepreneurship and the design-build process. 

Tschiderer was originally from Ohio, but his life also steered him toward Maryland. He is the senior vice president for development at Federal Realty Investment Trust. As he moved up and on in his career, he started feeling the urge to get re-involved with Davis College. 

“I started to participate in design juries, participated in project master plan classes and the mentorship program,” Tschiderer said. “There was an interest growing in me about giving back because I looked back and realize that I was very well prepared to jump from the classroom to the professional world.” 

That’s when it all began.  

“The head of development at Davis contacted us about giving,” McHale said. “She shared our names with each other because we both decided to make a contribution. Since then, we’ve been golfing together and rekindled our friendship.” 

Two years ago, the long-lost classmates were reintroduced about 35 years after their traditional cap and gown ceremony. The two also decided to get involved with Landscape Architecture Alumni by becoming part of the committee. They each hope that by doing this they will raise awareness and elevate the significance of the WVU landscape architecture program for current and future students as well as other alumni. 

“I absolutely love working with younger generations,” Tschiderer said. “Their future is my future and vice versa. It's exciting to look back but, more importantly, to look forward to new pursuits for the program and the students.” 

With or without their quarterly Alumni Advisory Committee meetings for the landscape architecture program, their friendship and hopes for the Landscape Architecture program live on with their common goal of improving the program and their golf games alike. 

-WVU-

ls/8/16/22

CONTACT: Leah Smith

Interim Director of Marketing and Communications

304-290-8680; lnestor2@mail.wvu.edu