University of Oklahoma Herb Greene Teaching Fellow Rene Peralta was recently named a finalist in the University of California San Diego’s (UCSD) Border Innovation Challenge. The competition’s final presentations took place on December 1st, 2020. Peralta’s proposal entitled “Tijuana Solar River” received the “Audience Choice” award.
The Border Innovation Challenge, now in its second year, is a business plan competition focused on the challenges presented by the international border. This competition focuses on bringing to the spotlight promising solutions and technologies to meet the efficiency and security challenges of the regions ports of entry among others. Supported by the Smart Border Coalition, the program is presented through a partnership of the Rady School of Management and the Jacobs School of Engineering.
Tijuana Solar River conceptual image, Rene Peralta
Peralta’s proposal, entitled “Tijuana Solar River,” focuses on revitalizing the Tijuana River Channel as a solar power farm and binational water remediation infrastructure. In doing so, it aims to bring access to the river canal back to Tijuana communities by engaging pedestrians and public spaces along an 11-mile channel.
The Gibbs Design in Action Awards (GDAA) program, led by Dr. Wanda Liebermann, has announced its 2026–2027 funded student projects. The initiative supports design and research work that addresses social, cultural, and economic issues in the built environment through collaboration with faculty and community partners.
The OU Institute for Quality Communities (IQC) 2024 collaboration with the Historic Threatt Filling Station has been recognized in the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City's newly released Byways Report: The Scenic Route to Rural Prosperity – a story-driven publication exploring how road trip culture and place-based tourism can fuel economic growth in rural communities.
The Gibbs College of Architecture is pleased to announce that Camille Germany, Chief of Staff, has been named the 2026 recipient of the university-wide Jennifer L. Wise Good Stewardship Award.
