The Institute for Quality Communities (IQC) project partners recently won nearly $150,000 in funding from the Oklahoma Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust (TSET) to enhance public spaces and walkability. The City of Pryor Creek and Town of Luther both received funding, which will go to streetscape and park improvements identified in IQC workshops in 2019 and 2020.
Both IQC projects were made possible in part by sponsorship from the Oklahoma Municipal League (OML), an annual partner of IQC. OML supports IQC’s Community Request for Proposals, which invited Oklahoma towns and cities to submit projects.
A section of the City of Pryor Plan.
The City of Pryor Creek will receive $102,000 to improve walkability, wayfinding, accessibility, and safe crosswalks. These streetscape improvements are related to an IQC design workshop in March of 2020, conducted in partnership with Pryor Main Street, the Mayes County HOPE Coalition, and City of Pryor.
Part of the Town of Luther plan.
The Town of Luther will receive $36,000 to carry out improvements at Wild Horse Park. IQC developed a conceptual plan for the park in partnership with the Town of Luther Parks Commission and Friends of the Park, during a Fall 2019 community engagement and design process.
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.
