Jeff Grob, who graduated in 1985 with a degree in landscape architecture from Rutgers. Photo: Courtesy of Jeff Grob.
Jeff Grob graduated with a degree in landscape architecture from then Rutgers Cook College in 1985. Today, he’s a senior associate at Stantec, an international company that provides professional consulting services in planning, engineering, architecture, interior design, landscape architecture and more for infrastructure and facilities projects. After more than 40 years of experience as a registered landscape architect, he is still excited to go to work every day.
More than just a career that has brought him great personal and career satisfaction, the work of landscape architects matters deeply to Grob.
“Landscape architects create outdoor spaces for the enjoyment of society and the non-detriment of the planet. Hopefully we can improve the health of both.”
Grob has done much of his work in the five boroughs of New York but one of his favorite projects is in New Brunswick, where landscape architects were responsible for the reimagining of Route 18 between Route 1 and the Amtrak bridge.
“The look and aesthetics of the road, how it fits its New Brunswick context and how Boyd Park now relates to the community is something I’m particularly proud of.”
Cover of the first Looking Glass album from 1972 that had “Brandy (You’re A Fine Girl).” Clockwise from top left: Elliot Lurie, guitar, Jeff Grob, drums, Pieter Sweval, bass, Larry Gonsky, keyboards. Photo: Courtesy of Jeff Grob.
Outside of the impactful projects he’s enjoyed working on, Grob is very committed to mentoring students and giving back to the community. It’s these traits of kindness and service that have left a lasting impression on Richard Alomar, associate professor and chair of the Department of Landscape Architecture. Alomar has known Grob for decades, first within professional landscape architecture circles and later as a work colleague.
“I first knew of Jeff when he and a few other landscape architects would jam at New York American Society of Landscape Architects events. Later, when I started working at Stantec, he was the well-dressed, intelligent, funny, wise mentor who outlined the work at hand, recounted past experiences and had the relaxed demeanor to put me at ease. Jeff has many outstanding qualities and accomplishments as a professional landscape architect, but my respect and admiration come from his kindness, resilience, positive attitude and generosity. I am always glad to see him because he reminds me that life is good, always.”
One can say Grob was destined to be a landscape architect, although in an earlier life, the allure of a musical career was paramount. In the 1970s, he was a rock star with a Number 1 hit on the Billboard Hot 100 charts around the world. He toured with popular bands like Kiss, Aerosmith, and ZZ Top. Grob still plays the drums today as a member of two bands, Looking Glass and Starz.
A self-described “Jersey guy,” Grob shared his interesting journey to fulfillment as a musician and landscape architect, and how his years at Rutgers helped to shape a rewarding career and life. He loves performing to this day, and as recently as June 27 played to a packed house at the Carteret Performing Arts Center.
Jeff Grob, at left, and his STARZ guitar player at the end of their set at the Carteret Performing Arts Center on June 27, 2025. Photo: Courtesy of Jeff Grob.
Was Landscape Architecture always your intended major and did you already have it in mind as an eventual career?
When I came to Rutgers in the fall of 1982, I had very specific intentions about why I was there and what I was going to study. I had already done two years of college from 1969 to 1971 before I left to be a full-time recording and touring musician for all of the 1970s. When that had run its course and having no other identifiable skills than making records and entertaining millions, I found work as a construction worker for a couple of years. But after a while, I realized I needed an outlet for my creative talents. I took a career aptitude test to see what else I might be good at, and it revealed that if you combined all my previous experiences, skills and interests, I would be best suited to be a landscape architect. I started the landscape architecture program as a first-semester sophomore with the intention of being a complete knowledge sponge, wanting to soak up as much as I possibly could about the profession and practice of landscape architecture. I had already done all the other stuff typical of college life; it was time to get serious.
What drew you to Rutgers and Cook College, in particular?
Two things: I was very familiar with the various Rutgers’ campuses already from having played on all of them, from Records Hall, to The Ledge, to the Barn, outdoors at Willie the Silent and the lawn in front of the Eagleton Institute, Gay Lib and SDS dance fundraisers, to every frat house and dorm lounge on College Avenue with my band “Looking Glass” back in the early 1970s (all the other members of the band are Rutgers graduates a few years ahead of me) and, I’m a Jersey guy. Learn local. New Brunswick back at the start of the 1970s supported us very much. We, in turn, dedicated our first album to the people of New Brunswick.
Were there any experiences as an undergraduate that stand out as impactful in your life?
I had the opportunity to serve two years as the president of the student Landscape Architecture Club. It taught me organizational and leadership skills that were very important later as a professional practitioner.
Looking back at your Rutgers journey, what stands out to you as the most challenging?
Showing up for every class, getting projects in on time, paying the rent and making sure I never lost sight of having some fun along the way.
Alternately, what did you find most rewarding?
I think the most rewarding thing I have found from my time at Rutgers is that I have found a profession that encompasses and satisfies all the things that I’m interested in – plants, people, Earth systems, transportation, building stuff, and play. It wraps all these things into one career where you never do the same thing twice, they pay you money to do it and I still like going to work every day 40 years later. Who else gets to do that?
Since graduating from Cook College in 1985, have you been back at Rutgers?
Many times. Ag Field Day events, landscape architecture juries, conferences, projects, guest lectures and a football game or two.
