Representatives from Flintco recently visited Gould Hall, bringing along a donation of $10,000 to bolster the Braxton Byrd Memorial Scholarship. Braxton was a 2022 Construction Science graduate who was well known to all of his classmates for his selfless approach. He was a top student in his class and was always willing to give his time to help others. Braxton tragically passed away a few short weeks after graduation. The scholarship harkens to Braxton’s giving heart and will continue to help Construction Science students.
Flintco’s connection with the Byrd family runs deep. Braxton was an intern with them, his father, Rick, spent a decade at Flintco including working on multiple projects on campus, and his uncle, Bobby, is the director of preconstruction in their Oklahoma City office.
Along with Byrd family and friends, Gibbs College was represented by, Dean Hans Butzer, Director of Development Josh Hall, and Ben Bigelow, Director of the Lemon Construction Science Division. Kirk Mammen, Vice President and Area Manager; Bobby Byrd, Director of Preconstruction; and Jolene Curry, Director of Business Development were in attendance from Flintco. The Haskell & Irene Lemon Construction Science Division’s Professional Advisory Board (PAB), represented by Tyler Sublett of JE Dunn, were also in attendance and provided $5,000 in matching funds.
The Braxton Byrd Memorial Scholarship is available to students enrolled in the Construction Science Division of the Gibbs College of Architecture.
To support the scholarship fund, please visit https://link.ou.edu/rememberingbraxton.
View photos from the visit in the gallery below.
Gibbs College is pleased to present the exhibition Vollendorf in Oklahoma: The Architecture of Dean Bryant Vollendorf during the Spring 2025 semester. It will be on display in Gould Hall, on the OU-Norman Campus, from February 16, 2026 - March 13, 2026.
On November 21, 2025, the Mainsite Contemporary Art gallery was transformed into a showcase of innovation and craftsmanship for the University of Oklahoma’s furniture design build studio exhibition, “Purpose in Form.”
Associate Professors Lee Fithian, Ph.D., and Elizabeth Pober have published a chapter in the recently released New Perspectives in Indoor Air Quality, published by Elsevier. Their contribution, titled “Chapter 16 – Architecture and the Challenges of Indoor Air Quality,” examines the relationship between architecture and indoor air quality.
