Nickolas Lowell Harm
April 28, 1950 – May 18, 2020
Nickolas L. Harm was born on April 28th, 1950 in North Platte, Nebraska to Robert L. Harm and Adaline Mann Shabram. He passed suddenly on Monday, May 18th, 2020. He was drafted into the U.S. Army in October of 1970. He was honorably discharged in April of 1972.
In August of 1972, he married Mimi Roxanne Whitehead in Cozad Nebraska. After his time in the army, he attended the University of Nebraska where he received his BA in Architecture in 1976. He went on to get his Masters of Architecture in 1978. He was a licensed architect in both Nebraska and Oklahoma. He worked as an architect for HDR in Omaha, Nebraska from 1978-1981. In 1981 he moved to Oklahoma to begin his career as a professor in the College of Architecture at the University of Oklahoma. During his career at the University of Oklahoma he was an associate professor, was tenured and served as director and interim dean. He retired as professor emeritus in 2016.
During his time as a professor, he took leave from 1984-1989 to teach at the King Fahad University of Petroleum Minerals in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia. His family took this time to also travel to several countries around the world.
After returning to Norman, he became interested in Norman Public Schools and served for five years on the school board from 1990-1995.
He is survived by his wife, Mimi; son, Nickolas R. Harm; daughter, Margaret (Megn) Sparkman and husband Joseph (Joey); three grandchildren, Nora Mier-Person, Gray and Boyd Sparkman; sister, Cordelia Aden and husband Tim; sister, Mala DeBerg; brother in law, Steve Whitehead; as well as many cousins, nieces and nephews.
Nick had many friends and acquaintances that he met through his career, travel and many hobbies. He was a loving husband, father, and grandfather. He enjoyed spending time with his family more than anything. He saw the potential in everything and everyone and always thought outside the box. He will be greatly missed.
A memorial will be planned for a future date. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial contributions be made to the Gibbs College of Architecture travel study fund. To make a gift online, go to the link below.
Sooner Connect - OU Foundation Giving – Make a Gift
To make a gift by mail, please make checks out to the University of Oklahoma Foundation and include “42829 Nick Harm Memorial” in the memo line. Please mail checks to: University of Oklahoma Foundation, PO Box 258856, Oklahoma City, OK 73125.
To offer online condolences, please visit the link below.
Nickolas Lowell Harm Obituary May 18, 2020 - Tribute Memorial Care
Share your favorite memories of Nick
Gibbs College of Architecture faculty Dave Boeck and Marjorie Callahan are collecting stories and memories from Nick’s former colleagues, friends and students to share with his family. To contribute a story, please contact dlb@ou.edu or mcallahan@ou.edu.
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.
