The University of Oklahoma’s Division of Planning, Landscape Architecture & Design (PLAD) is proud to announce Dez Harris as the inaugural recipient of the Ralph Ochsner Fellowship, a prestigious award created to support students who demonstrate exceptional academic achievement, character, and a commitment to community-focused planning.
Dez, a rising second-year Master of Regional and City Planning (RCPL) student, was selected for his strong academic performance, leadership potential, and alignment with the mission of the OU Institute for Quality Communities (IQC), where he will serve as a graduate assistant during the academic year.
The Ralph Ochsner Fellowship was established in 2025 through a generous gift from the Ralph H. Ochsner Trust. The fellowship honors the legacy of Ralph Ochsner, a 1960 RCPL alumnus and long-time principal and CEO of Ochsner Hare & Hare, one of the nation’s oldest planning firms. Ralph dedicated his career to revitalizing communities across the Midwest and left a lasting impact on the field of urban planning.
In recognition of the award, Dez shared, “The Ralph Ochsner Fellowship is a part of the noble legacy of Mr. Ochsner – a legacy reflecting the best of what it means to be a Planner. I am honored to be included in that legacy, and will use this opportunity to continue in the example Mr. Ochsner has so gracefully demonstrated.”
As a fellow, Dez Harris will receive a tuition waiver, student health insurance, reduced graduate course fees, and an annual stipend. His role with the IQC will provide valuable professional experience, helping bridge academic training with real-world planning practice.
Amber N. Wiley, Director of the IQC, reflecting on this award, said, “Dez has shown great leadership and care with the IQC projects he has taken on in class, and I am certain that he will bring that same energy to the center as an GA this coming academic year. I look forward to having him on the team!”
Please join us in congratulating Dez on this well-deserved honor!
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.
Gibbs Construction Science and Architecture students recently traveled to Dublin, Ireland, to compete in the Associated Schools of Construction (ASC) Region 8 Student Competition. The team partnered with Czech Technical University and secured third place in the Design-Build category.
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