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.
Hall of Fame inductees can represent any of the Gibbs College programs. A five-member Nomination Committee is appointed by the dean from a group of recommendations from each advisory board. This committee then chooses the inductees from the list of submitted nominees
Attendance to the event is by special invitation only.
Learn about the remarkable individuals named to the 2026 Christopher C. Gibbs College of Architecture Hall of Fame below.
If you would like to make a gift in honor of any of these inductees, please donate here.
Bruce Wayne McClendon
Bruce Wayne McClendon, FAICP, an alumnus of the University of Oklahoma, was a distinguished city planner and nationally recognized leader in the planning profession. Throughout his career, he led planning programs for cities and counties across the country, including Fort Worth, Texas; Orange County, Florida; and Los Angeles County, California, helping communities navigate growth and development. A prolific author, he wrote six books and more than 100 articles published in more than 50 publications, sharing practical insights with planning professionals nationwide. McClendon was the only person to serve two terms as president of the American Planning Association and received the organization’s Distinguished Service Award. A Fellow and charter member of the American Institute of Certified Planners, he earned a Master of Regional and City Planning from OU in 1974. Through decades of public service, professional leadership and scholarship, McClendon left a lasting legacy in the planning profession and exemplified the impact of dedicated professionals committed to serving their communities.
Joseph Edgar Smay
Joseph Edgar Smay was an architect, educator and professional leader whose work helped establish the foundation for architectural education at the University of Oklahoma. As the first director of OU’s School of Architecture from 1926 to 1936, he developed an educational approach emphasizing design rigor, professional responsibility and the connection between academic instruction and architectural practice. A practicing architect, Smay designed several traditional campus buildings, including Adams Hall and Richards Hall, while also serving as the university’s official architect. His influence extended nationally through his service as executive director of the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards, where he contributed to advancing professional standards and licensure. Through his leadership, teaching and architectural practice, Smay established a lasting foundation for generations of architects and helped shape the legacy of architectural education at OU.
Peter Karl William Wert
Peter Karl William Wert built a distinguished career in the construction industry, serving as president, chairman of the board and chairman emeritus of Haskell Lemon Construction Co. Over 34 years with the company, he became a respected industry leader, serving as president of the Oklahoma chapter of the Associated General Contractors of America (AGC) and national president from 1998 to 1999. His professional contributions included leadership roles with the AGC Foundation and the National Center for Construction Education and Research. A University of Oklahoma alumnus, Wert maintained a strong connection to the university through the Construction Board of Visitors, serving as chair and supporting construction education through scholarships and the establishment of the Bim-Viz lab. His career reflects a commitment to advancing the construction profession, mentoring future professionals and strengthening the university community.
Raymond W.H. Yeh
Raymond W.H. Yeh is an architect and educator whose leadership has helped shape architectural education at the University of Oklahoma and nationally. As dean of OU’s College of Architecture beginning in 1983, he reorganized its academic programs into four professional divisions, established the college’s Board of Visitors and formalized the Bruce Goff Professorship of Creative Architecture and its accompanying lecture series. He later served as dean of the School of Architecture at the University of Hawaii at Manoa, where he advanced academic programs and expanded educational opportunities. A Fellow of the American Institute of Architects, Yeh has contributed to architectural education and professional standards through national accreditation, examination and leadership initiatives. His honors include a National Endowment for the Arts fellowship and recognition by DesignIntelligence as one of the nation’s most admired educators. Through his academic leadership, professional service and dedication to student development, Yeh has made a lasting impact on architectural education.
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. Joseph Edgar Smay is part of the 2025 Hall of Fame class.
Christopher C. Gibbs College of Architecture congratulates three architecture students who were recognized in the 2026 AIA Dallas Student Design Awards.
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. Raymond W.H. Yeh is part of the 2025 Hall of Fame class.
