The 2019 Placemaking Conference, a biennial event hosted by the OU Gibbs College of Architecture’s Institute for Quality Communities, was a huge success! On Monday, April 1, 2019, it drew more than 600 practitioners, faculty and students, from over 40 Oklahoma counties and other states, including New York, California and Utah, to hear presentations from experts in economic development, social sculpture, and more!
To get caught up or join the Placemaking Conference conversation, be sure to check out the #iqcconf Twitter feed at https://twitter.com/hashtag/iqcconf! Check it out for highlights!
The Gibbs College of Architecture celebrates fifth-year architecture student Haley Praytor, who has been recognized at the national level for her design work. In early March, Haley received a Graduate Division Award of Merit for her submission to the 2025 Metal Building Manufacturers Association student design competition.
Ronald Frantz Jr., emeritus professor, has been named a 2026 Mary Means Leadership Award recipient, the highest honor presented by Main Street America. The award was announced at the Main Street Now Conference in Tulsa, recognizing leaders who advance preservation-based economic development and community revitalization.
The Gibbs Design in Action Awards (GDAA) program, led by Dr. Wanda Liebermann, has announced its 2026–2027 funded student projects. The initiative supports design and research work that addresses social, cultural, and economic issues in the built environment through collaboration with faculty and community partners.
