The Gibbs College of Architecture is proud to recognize Tahsin Tabassum, a recent graduate of the college’s Master of Regional and City Planning program and current doctoral student at the University of California, Irvine, for receiving the prestigious 2024–2025 American Planning Association (APA) Outstanding Student Award.
Walter Kolb, age 89, died peacefully on October 14, 2025, following a prolonged illness. He was born in New York City on March 18, 1936, to Hans and Lina Kolb. He was raised in the Bronx and received a geology scholarship at Oklahoma State University. In time, his interests turned toward urban planning, and he went on to complete a master’s degree from the University of Oklahoma. Walter served in the Air Force reserve.
The University of Oklahoma Christopher C. Gibbs College of Architecture Hall of Fame recognizes a select number of high-character individuals who have made a significant and lasting positive impact on Gibbs College, its students, staff, faculty, alumni and/or to communities across the globe. The impact may have been, or continues to be, in the form of service and mentorship, sustained professional excellence, and/or advancement and financial support. Jack Crowley is part of the 2025 Hall of Fame class.
The University of Oklahoma Christopher C. Gibbs College of Architecture Hall of Fame recognizes a select number of high-character individuals who have made a significant and lasting positive impact on Gibbs College, its students, staff, faculty, alumni and/or to communities across the globe. The impact may have been, or continues to be, in the form of service and mentorship, sustained professional excellence, and/or advancement and financial support. Oscar Concessao is part of the 2025 Hall of Fame class.
The University of Oklahoma Christopher C. Gibbs College of Architecture Hall of Fame recognizes a select number of high-character individuals who have made a significant and lasting positive impact on Gibbs College, its students, staff, faculty, alumni and/or to communities across the globe. The impact may have been, or continues to be, in the form of service and mentorship, sustained professional excellence, and/or advancement and financial support. Bob and Sherry Faust are part of the 2025 Hall of Fame class.
The University of Oklahoma Christopher C. Gibbs College of Architecture Hall of Fame recognizes a select number of high-character individuals who have made a significant and lasting positive impact on Gibbs College, its students, staff, faculty, alumni and/or to communities across the globe. The impact may have been, or continues to be, in the form of service and mentorship, sustained professional excellence, and/or advancement and financial support. Alison Hafar is part of the 2025 Hall of Fame class.
The University of Oklahoma Christopher C. Gibbs College of Architecture Hall of Fame recognizes a select number of high-character individuals who have made a significant and lasting positive impact on Gibbs College, its students, staff, faculty, alumni and/or to communities across the globe. The impact may have been, or continues to be, in the form of service and mentorship, sustained professional excellence, and/or advancement and financial support. Donald MacDonald is part of the 2025 Hall of Fame class.
The University of Oklahoma Christopher C. Gibbs College of Architecture Hall of Fame recognizes a select number of high-character individuals who have made a significant and lasting positive impact on Gibbs College, its students, staff, faculty, alumni and/or to communities across the globe. The impact may have been, or continues to be, in the form of service and mentorship, sustained professional excellence, and/or advancement and financial support.
Giannina Mehdi, a recent graduate of the program, shares in this Q&A how the program further shaped her understanding of sustainability, what it was like to learn online, and how she is applying what she learned in her career today.
University of Oklahoma alumnus William “Bill” Earl Murphy was an accomplished architect and designer who helped introduce the visionary spirit of Oklahoma’s American School to New York and whose inventive work was frequently featured in The New York Times.
Lahari Peluri, an alumna of the University of Oklahoma’s Urban Design program and Urban Planner III at Freese and Nichols, presented at the Barcelona Livable Cities Conference 2025, hosted by AMPS Research at La Salle BCN.
Architecture alumnus Gary Armbruster, AIA, has recently been honored with three prestigious awards recognizing his outstanding contributions to the field of architecture and educational planning.
For principal architects and partners Gary Armbruster and Heath Tate, giving back to the University of Oklahoma’s Gibbs College of Architecture isn’t just a professional obligation; it’s personal. Both proud OU alumni, Gary and Heath credit much of their success to the connections, mentorships, and lessons learned during their time at the University. Today, that Sooner spirit lives on through MA+’s active partnership with Gibbs College — from advisory board membership, to supporting scholarships and student internships to hands-on mentorship that helps bridge the critical gap between education and professional practice.
The Tampa International Airport highlighted the story of its Executive Vice President for Planning & Development and Maintenance, Smitha Radhakrishnan. Radhakrishnan earned her Master of Science in Construction Administration at Gibbs College.
Lahari Peluri, an alumna of OU’s Master of Urban Design program, recently contributed to a project that was honored with the prestigious Vernon Deines Award by the American Planning Association’s Small Town and Rural Planning Division. The Stephenville 2050 Comprehensive Plan, envisions a more resilient, community-driven future for the City of Stephenville, Texas, and stands out as a model for small-town planning nationwide.
Ali Ames, an alumna of the University of Oklahoma’s Architecture program, recently had a project featured in House Beautiful, including on the magazine’s cover. The project is a breathtaking residence in Westlake, Texas. Ames, class of 2012, designed the exterior of the 17,200-square-foot home and collaborated on the interiors with designer Janelle Patton.
David Boeck recently exhibited his sketches in an exhibition titled “UKRAINIAN CHURCHES: Standing Tall in the Struggle.” The exhibition was held at the Shevchenko Museum in Toronto from February 9, 2025, to February 28, 2025. Boeck, who retired from Gibbs College in 2024, is known for his vibrant and dynamic sketches, particularly of international sites.
Future Projects, a firm founded by OU architecture alumni Julie Tran and Khoi Nguyen, has been named to The Architect’s Newspaper "Twenty to Watch," a list assembled by the newspaper’s editors to recognize rising residential architecture design talent.
Michael Mann, a distinguished architect and Consulting Principal at Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM) in Los Angeles, is an alumnus of the University of Oklahoma’s Gibbs College of Architecture. Over his career, he has led the design and execution of more than 55 million square feet of world-class projects, earning numerous industry awards and international recognition.
Bennie ‘Ben’ Leon Graves, an OU architecture alumn, peacefully passed away at his home in Norman, OK on November 11th, 2024, at the age of 79. As an architect, he designed cherished spaces across Norman and Oklahoma City, with a focus on the design and development of private residences, public education projects, and commercial developments.
The University of Oklahoma Christopher C. Gibbs College of Architecture Hall of Fame recognizes a select number of high-character individuals who have made a significant and lasting positive impact on Gibbs College, its students, staff, faculty, alumni and/or to communities across the globe. The impact may have been, or continues to be, in the form of service and mentorship, sustained professional excellence, and/or advancement and financial support.
The University of Oklahoma Christopher C. Gibbs College of Architecture Hall of Fame recognizes a select number of high-character individuals who have made a significant and lasting positive impact over time to Gibbs College, its students, staff, faculty, alumni, and/or to communities across the globe. The impact may have been, or continues to be, in the form of service and mentorship, sustained professional excellence, and/or advancement and financial support. Arnold Henderson is part of the 2024 Hall of Fame class.
The University of Oklahoma Christopher C. Gibbs College of Architecture Hall of Fame recognizes a select number of high-character individuals who have made a significant and lasting positive impact over time to Gibbs College, its students, staff, faculty, alumni, and/or to communities across the globe. The impact may have been, or continues to be, in the form of service and mentorship, sustained professional excellence, and/or advancement and financial support. Charles Robert Goins is part of the 2024 Hall of Fame class.
The University of Oklahoma Christopher C. Gibbs College of Architecture Hall of Fame recognizes a select number of high-character individuals who have made a significant and lasting positive impact over time to Gibbs College, its students, staff, faculty, alumni, and/or to communities across the globe. The impact may have been, or continues to be, in the form of service and mentorship, sustained professional excellence, and/or advancement and financial support. Kenneth Franklin Robson is part of the 2024 Hall of Fame class.
John Hurtig, alumnus of the University of Oklahoma architecture program, passed away on Sunday, August 25, 2024. Hurtig partnered with Jim Gardner and Norm Froelich to form HGF Architects. HGF created distinctive and beautiful brick buildings in the Pueblo area for decades, including the Sangre de Cristo Arts Center.
Oklahoma-city based architect John Robison, and OU alumnus, recently passed away. John was a recognized architect, who helped develop the Paseo into a thriving environment for the arts.
The National Building Museum in Washington, D.C. is full of Sooner Nation talent. Two of the museum’s main gallery spaces currently feature exhibits displaying University of Oklahoma architectural expertise.
Mark your calendars for the OU Alumni + Friends Reception at the 2024 AIA National Conference! Scheduled for Wednesday, June 5, 2024, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m, Dean Hans E. Butzer will host the event at the Crimson View Rooftop Bar located within the Motto by Hilton Washington DC City Center.
Although he was born and died in North Texas (Wichita Falls and Tyler), Norm was a proud Sooner. Raised and educated in Wewoka and Norman, he became Midwest City’s first planning director, later assuming the role of planning director for Oklahoma City during the mid-1970s.
OU Architecture alumni Wister Wu was recently honored with the Global Human Settlements Award on Planning and Design at the annual Global Forum on Human Settlements conference in Dubai. The GFHS is a global non-profit organization that promotes sustainable cities and human settlements for all through their annual forum and other academic conferences.
OU Architecture alumni Khoi Nguyen and Julie Tran were recently awarded the Young Architects award and two Best of Design Awards from The Architect’s Newspaper. Their New York City-based design firm, Future Projects, received recognition for the projects Another Seedbed and Studio Loutsis.
CJC Architects, a firm owned by OU Architecture alumni Michael Hagan and John Hall, recently celebrated its 70th anniversary. CJC is a full-service Architecture firm based out of Tulsa, OK, and is one of the oldest locally owned, continually operating firms in the region.
Bruce Wilkinson, OU alumnus and major supporter of Gibbs College, recently received a Regents’ Alumni Award from the OU Board of Regents and OU Alumni Association. This award celebrates the profound way OU alumni and supporters shape the university’s vibrant future.
Theron Warlick, AICP, a 2002 Master of Urban Design alumnus, announced his retirement from the City of Tulsa after 23 years of service. He recently accepted a proclamation from Blake Ewing, the Mayor’s Chief of Staff, declaring Oct. 1 as Theron Warlick Day in the City of Tulsa. This proclamation honors Warlick for his dedication to improving Tulsa cityscapes and his successful career as an urban designer.
The University of Oklahoma Christopher C. Gibbs College of Architecture Hall of Fame recognizes a select number of high-character individuals who have made a significant and lasting positive impact on Gibbs College, its students, staff, faculty, alumni and/or to communities across the globe. The impact may have been, or continues to be, in the form of service and mentorship, sustained professional excellence, and/or advancement and financial support.
The University of Oklahoma Christopher C. Gibbs College of Architecture Hall of Fame recognizes a select number of high-character individuals who have made a significant and lasting positive impact over time to Gibbs College, its students, staff, faculty, alumni, and/or to communities across the globe. The impact may have been, or continues to be, in the form of service and mentorship, sustained professional excellence, and/or advancement and financial support. Herb Greene is part of the 2023 Hall of Fame class.
The University of Oklahoma Christopher C. Gibbs College of Architecture Hall of Fame recognizes a select number of high-character individuals who have made a significant and lasting positive impact over time to Gibbs College, its students, staff, faculty, alumni, and/or to communities across the globe. The impact may have been, or continues to be, in the form of service and mentorship, sustained professional excellence, and/or advancement and financial support. Pat Eidson is part of the 2023 Hall of Fame class.
OU Urban Design alumni recently teamed up with the Society of Urban Design Students to celebrate International Park(ing) Day. On Sept. 15, they occupied parking spaces in downtown Tulsa to transform on-street parking into urban parklets.
Recent alumni of OU’s Master of Urban Design program are seeing their visions for Collinsville, Oklahoma, come to life. On Aug. 21, 2023, local officials announced a $4.4 million project in partnership with LandPlan to revitalize Collinsville’s historic downtown area.
Subhashini Gamagedara, an alumna of the Master of Landscape Architecture program, was recently featured in The Field, the professional practice networks’ blog of the American Society of Landscape Architects.
Larry Hopper, FAICP, is an alumnus of the OU Master of Regional and City Planning program and is currently a freelance planning consultant. He was formerly the principal planner for the transit agency for Oklahoma City. Hopper is still an active member of the OU community, and recently donated $25,000 to the Gibbs College of Architecture to establish the Hopper Family’s Planning Scholarship. We sat down with him to learn more about his experience at OU and in the professional planning field, and what inspired him to give back to the university. Read on for highlights.
Born in Chicago, Howard graduated from Hyde Park High School before studying architecture at University of Southern California, Los Angeles. He completed his architecture degree at the University of Oklahoma, Norman, where he studied under his mentor, Bruce Alonzo Goff. Howard specialized in alternative energy architecture and was part of a school of organic architects known as the “Friends of Kebyar”.
Gibbs College alumna Breah Page graduated from OU in 2010 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in architecture. She now is senior project architect at LBBA in Chicago and was recently awarded the Dubin Family Young Architect Award from the American Institute of Architects. We sat down with her to learn more about her experience at Gibbs College and in the professional architecture industry.
Oscar Concessao, an alumnus of the OU Master of Urban Design program, and his wife Ponni Concessao recently designed the Telangana State Secretariat, the largest state capitol in India. Their firm, OCI Architects, won a national competition held by the Telangana government and was chosen out of a large pool of accomplished firms.
Jerry Merriman earned a degree in architecture from the University of Oklahoma in 1971 and founded Merriman Associates/Architects in 1987. In 33 years of running the firm, Jerry was instrumental in the shaping of downtown Dallas with more than 40 projects covering nearly every downtown neighborhood. Jerry’s success was built on his love of people, a deep sense of community and a genuine connection with his employees and their families.
Gibbs College Dean Hans Butzer and Karen Renfroe of the OU Foundation recently sat down with architecture alumnus Raymond Harris to learn more about his successful career along with his business and mentorship activities in retirement.
OU architecture alumna Breah Page was recently awarded the American Institute of Architects (AIA) Dubin Family Young Architect Award. The AIA is a professional organization for architects that works to improve the architecture industry through education, government advocacy and community outreach.
Jason O’Rear, a Bay-Area, California-native, traveled to OU to pursue a degree in architecture. After a successful career as an architect for over a decade, Jason now uses his understanding of architecture and space to serve him in his flourishing role as an architectural photographer at his own studio. His work has been featured in notable publications including Architectural Record, Architectural Digest, Interior Design Magazine, Dezeen, and more.
Outstanding OU Urban Design alumni recently gathered at the 2023 State Planning Conference, sponsored by the Oklahoma Chapter of the American Planning Association (APA). The APA is a non-profit educational organization that strives to enhance the planning profession and help communities adapt to the rapidly changing environment.
GCA Communications intern Kathlyn Dannewald spoke with Zach Punnett, a Construction Science Alum here at Gibbs! We sat down with Zach to learn about his experiences as a builder and company owner in the residential construction industry.
University of Oklahoma Architecture alumnus Asa Highsmith was recently recognized as an honoree in the Architectural League of New York’s 2023 Emerging Voices competition. The Emerging Voices program is an annual event that recognizes outstanding Architecture, Landscape Architecture, and Urban Design firms across North America.
GCA Communications intern Kathlyn Dannewald spoke with Purvi Patel, a Regional + City Planning alumna here at Gibbs! We sat down with Patel to learn about her experiences with the RCPL program as an international student, and her exciting career in the city planning industry.
GCA Communications intern Kathlyn Dannewald spoke with Grace Olaleye, who was recently named deputy manager of risk-based estimating for the Mega Mobility Investment Program at HNTB. She is also an alumna of the Master of Construction Science program at Gibbs College of Architecture. We sat down with Ms. Olaleye to discuss her job as part of the Program Management Consultants for Georgia Department of Transportation, and how she got into construction science.
Regional + City Planning alumnus Rhys Wilson recently published an APA practice guide, “8 Steps to an Effective Code Transition,” in the American Planning Association publication Zoning Practice. Rhys Wilson graduated from the RCPL program in 2017 and currently works in the Urban Planning + Design division of Freese and Nichols, an engineering, planning and consulting firm working across the Southwest and Southeast United States.
The Regional + City Planning program has taken significant steps to attract and create a supportive environment for international students. In fall 2022, 18 of the 43 RCPL students were international students. In 2019, the RCPL program adopted an Underrepresented Student Recruitment Plan because of the ethical obligations of the planning field to diversify representation and promote institutional change. While the planning field has made successful strides in reaching gender parity, the field is still falling behind in other forms of diversity, including international students and students of color.
Seniors in the University of Oklahoma Interior Design program recently travelled to Dallas to visit multiple design firms, projects, and showrooms. The two-day trip consisted of several stops allowing students to connect with several Dallas Interior Design professionals and program alumni, see multiple active design projects, and tour both showrooms and firms.
Regional and City Planning Alum Chris Bodzioch and his colleagues at the Oklahoma County Assessor’s Office recently won the 2022 Special Achievement in GIS (SAG) Award. The team received this award for their dedication to creating a transparent and accessible source of information for the public.
Interior Design students and faculty were recently invited to tour the newly opened NOUN Hotel in Norman’s historic Campus Corner area. The field trip was a collaboration with the Oklahoma Interior Designers Coalition (OIDC) chapter board, the International Interior Design Association (IIDA) Oklahoma City Chapter board, and GH2, an Oklahoma based architecture and design firm. The OIDC, IIDA, and GH2 hosted the entire Interior Design program, including undergraduate students and faculty.
Recently Gibbs College dean Hans Butzer and Karen Renfroe of the OU Foundation spoke with OU alumnus Michael McKelvy. They sat down with McKelvy to learn more about his position as CEO of McDermott International, his time at OU, and his ideas for the future of design-build education.
Interior Design Senior, Ava Moore, and Interior Design 2022 Graduate, Olivia Aasheim, recently received awards from the Oklahoma Interior Design Coalition’s (OIDC).
Madison Hughes, an alumna of the Regional + City Planning Program, was hired earlier this year at Mosaic Community Planning, a company that works with local governments across the United States to help with housing and community development and engagement projects.
The Christopher C. Gibbs College of Architecture at the University of Oklahoma (OU) is pleased to announce that Jerald (Jerry) Merriman, a University of Oklahoma Architecture alumnus (Class of 1971), has been honored with the 2022 OU Regents’ Alumni Award.
Angela Lee, an alumna of the Gibbs College of Architecture and member of the American Institute of Architects’ College of Fellows, was recently featured in an article on the HKS, Inc. website.
The University of Oklahoma Christopher C. Gibbs College of Architecture Hall of Fame recognizes a select number of high-character individuals who have made a significant and lasting positive impact over time to Gibbs College, its students, staff, faculty, alumni, and/or to communities across the globe. The impact may have been, or continues to be, in the form of service and mentorship, sustained professional excellence, and/or advancement and financial support. Chris and Ania Gibbs are part of the inaugural Hall of Fame class.
The University of Oklahoma Christopher C. Gibbs College of Architecture Hall of Fame recognizes a select number of high-character individuals who have made a significant and lasting positive impact over time to Gibbs College, its students, staff, faculty, alumni, and/or to communities across the globe. The impact may have been, or continues to be, in the form of service and mentorship, sustained professional excellence, and/or advancement and financial support. Harold Conner is part of the inaugural Hall of Fame class.
The University of Oklahoma Christopher C. Gibbs College of Architecture Hall of Fame recognizes a select number of high-character individuals who have made a significant and lasting positive impact over time to Gibbs College, its students, staff, faculty, alumni, and/or to communities across the globe. The impact may have been, or continues to be, in the form of service and mentorship, sustained professional excellence, and/or advancement and financial support. Robert Lawton Jones is part of the inaugural Hall of Fame class.
The University of Oklahoma Christopher C. Gibbs College of Architecture Hall of Fame recognizes a select number of high-character individuals who have made a significant and lasting positive impact over time to Gibbs College, its students, staff, faculty, alumni, and/or to communities across the globe. The impact may have been, or continues to be, in the form of service and mentorship, sustained professional excellence, and/or advancement and financial support. Joseph Lee Rodgers Jr. is part of the inaugural Hall of Fame class.
The University of Oklahoma Christopher C. Gibbs College of Architecture Hall of Fame recognizes a select number of high-character individuals who have made a significant and lasting positive impact over time to Gibbs College, its students, staff, faculty, alumni, and/or to communities across the globe. The impact may have been, or continues to be, in the form of service and mentorship, sustained professional excellence, and/or advancement and financial support. Joe and Jayne Buskuhl are part of the inaugural Hall of Fame class.
On September 10, 2022, William Malcolm Shaw (Bill) graduated from this life and went to be with family and friends who have gone before him. Bill was born on September 15, 1932, in Oklahoma City to Richard Frank Shaw and Dorothy Hawk Shaw.
The RCPL program has an incredibly high placement rate for new graduates. Graduates quickly become leading practitioners in the field of urban planning. Select graduates from the spring are featured below.
Khoi Hoang, an alumnus of the Interior Design program, was recently recognized as one of the 2022 American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) Ones to Watch Scholars. The Ones to Watch program honors underrepresented members of the interior design community. As part of ASID’s dedication to the advancement of diversity and inclusion in the interior design profession, the Ones to Watch initiative supports and provides opportunities to rising leaders.
The Christopher C. Gibbs College of Architecture will be hosting an OU Alumni + Friends Reception during the upcoming 2022 AIA National Conference in Chicago, Illinois.
Traci VanDalsem, an alumna of Gibbs College’s Haskell and Irene Lemon Division of Construction Science, was recently named Vice President of Client Experience at RedTeam Software.
The Happy Healthy Home Show recently invited Gibbs College alumnus Don Ruggles as an inaugural guest. Don joined the show’s host Odile Smith in their shared passion for making wellness in the home (and all built surroundings) a priority. A practicing architect and founder of Ruggles Mabe Studio, Don has spent his 50-plus year career trying to answer the question, “What is beauty?”
Regional + City Planning alumnus Joseph Laws was recently interviewed by The Oklahoman about new COVID-19 relief funds available to Oklahoma businesses through the American Rescue Plan Act. Joseph is the OKC Rescue Program manager at the Alliance for Economic Development of Oklahoma City.
GCA Communications intern Kali Curtis spoke with Anna Siprikova, a Regional + City Planning alumna here at Gibbs! We sat down with Siprikova to learn about her experiences with the RCPL program and her work at NACTO-GDCI as the Program Manager for the Streets for Kids Program.
GCA Communications intern Kali Curtis sat down with Brent Wall, a landscape architecture alumnus and adjunct professor here at Gibbs! We sat down with Brent Wall to learn about his experiences as a landscape architect and how he got into the field. He is the Studio Director of the Landscape Architecture + Urban Design (LAUD) Studio, a full-service architecture practice in Oklahoma City.
GCA Communications intern Kali Curtis spoke with Vireak They, an environmental design alumnus here at Gibbs! We spoke with Vireak They to learn more about Osmosis Architects, his architecture firm in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.
GCA Communications intern Kali Curtis spoke with Sonia Ramirez, an Environmental Design alumna here at Gibbs! We sat down with Ramirez to learn about how the use of technology and design methods have changed since she graduated. She graduated with her Bachelor of Environmental Design (2019) with a focus in Interior Design from the Gibbs College of Architecture.
GCA assistant to the directors, Camille Germany, sat down OU interior design alumnus, Avery Smith, to discuss her journey into the interior design world! Read on for highlights, or click the link below to access the full podcast.
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