The 2024 Gibbs College of Architecture Celebration Banquet brought together students, faculty, alumni, and donors to celebrate scholarship awards and induct three distinguished alumni into the Gibbs College Hall of Fame. Held at the Sam Noble Museum, the event recognized the achievements and commitment of the Gibbs College community.
Dean Hans Butzer welcomed guests with remarks on resilience and dedication, setting a meaningful tone for the evening. Longtime supporter Larry Hopper spoke passionately about the impact of his experiences at Gibbs College on his career, encouraging attendees to give back in ways that support future generations. He emphasized that even small contributions of time or resources can make a lasting difference for students.
Larry Hopper speaks at the banquet.
Senior interior design student Avery Eggers then shared how scholarships have supported her journey, expressing sincere gratitude to donors. She also talked about the value of community investment in helping students reach their goals and embrace new challenges. Dr. Angela Person, Associate Dean for Research and External Engagement, presented more than 180 scholarships to outstanding students, recognizing their academic achievements and commitment to their studies.
Associate Dean Dr. Angela Person speaks at the banquet.
The evening’s honors concluded with the induction of three individuals into the Gibbs College Hall of Fame: Robert Goins, Arn Henderson, and Ken Robson. Fred Schmidt, Chair of the Hall of Fame Selection Committee, introduced each honoree, celebrating their decades of professional achievements and lasting contributions to architecture, planning, and the Gibbs College community.
Gibbs College would like to thank everyone who made time to attend this special event. To download photos from the evening, please visit our photo gallery. Photos will be available for download until December 8th. Select photos can be found below.
The University of Oklahoma College of Architecture is proud to announce that Model Schools in the Model City, authored by Director of the Institute for Quality Communities, Amber N. Wiley, Ph.D., has been named one of ten finalists for the 2026 ASALH Book Prize for Best New Book in African American History and Culture.
This semester, students in the LA 5535 Studio: Ecological Planning and Design, led by Prof. Afsana Sharmin, took on an ambitious hypothetical project to redesign key parts of the OU campus. Their mission: to tackle the critical real-world challenge of stormwater management through innovative green design.
Petya Stefanoff, Chair of the Educational Committee with the American Planning Association, Oklahoma Chapter (APA-OK) and Gibbs College PhD candidate, has developed a new training program for local government officials. The program, focused on land use, zoning principles, and land development, recently certified its first graduates with Certified Citizen Planner status.
