Shobha Pathmanathan, senior Environmental Design student, was recently selected as the Gibbs College of Architecture student representative for the December 2020 Convocation! This designation is traditionally a college banner carrier during commencement, but it is different this year due to the virtual format. In honor of her selection, we’re excited to share a few insights into Shobha’s life and journey at Gibbs!
Where are you from, and what drew you to OU?
I am from Yukon, Oklahoma and have known I wanted to go to OU practically my whole life! My dad is an OU grad, so from the age of 5 I decided I wanted to follow in his footsteps. The welcoming and homey feeling of the university along with the beauty of the campus really drew me to the school. I am also a very big OU football fan, which was an added incentive to want to attend this university. After my official college visit my senior year of high school, I knew that OU was home.
What do you love about your work at OU?
As an Environmental Design major, my favorite part about my work at OU is the fact that we get to work on real-life projects, working with real cities/districts and clients on projects to better their communities. We get to meet officials and professionals across many different disciplines as part of our curriculum, which allows us to make and build incredible connections before we enter the workforce.
What do you like to do for fun/hobbies?
In my free time, I enjoy spending time with my family, friends, and dog. I also really enjoy making home décor, doing calligraphy, and finding new things to channel and grow my creativity.
What is your favorite place to visit, and why?
My favorite place to visit is Sydney, Australia. I visited the city my freshman year of high school and immediately fell in love. We toured the Sydney Opera House, and that’s what really unlocked my strong interest in architecture. The combination of coastal life and city life is what truly drew me to the city, and I am looking forward to going back someday soon!
Congratulations, Shobha!
A team of Construction Science and Architecture students from the Gibbs College of Architecture made their mark on the national stage this week, earning third place out of 37 universities competing at the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) Student Competition, held during the International Builders' Show in Orlando, February 16-18, 2026.
The American Institute of Architects (AIA) has elevated Gary Armbruster, FAIA, ALEP to its prestigious College of Fellows—AIA’s highest membership honor—for his exceptional work and sustained contributions to architecture and society. Fellowship recognizes architects who have achieved a standard of excellence in the profession and made a significant impact at a national level. Members elevated to this distinction carry the FAIA designation after their name.
Students from the Spring 2026 Graduate 4 Architecture Design Studio, led by Professor Amy Leveno, exhibited their work at the School of Visual Arts. The exhibition, titled Reimagining the OU School of Visual Arts, featured drawings, models, and animations developed throughout the semester's studio project. The show was hosted in The Spotlight, a creative gallery space located on the first floor of the Fred Jones Art Center, and ran from January 20–30, 2026.
