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 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.
