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Ben Bigelow News

October 13, 2025

PhD Student Receives ACCE National Housing Endowment Scholarship

We are pleased to announce that our Ph.D. student, Rafael Hernandez, has been awarded the prestigious American Council for Construction Education’s National Housing Endowment Scholarship for the 2025-2026 academic year. The National Housing Endowment is a philanthropic branch of the National Association of Home Builders.


April 18, 2025

Oklahoma’s WxFORGE Coalition Submits Invited Proposal to NSF Engines Program to Pioneer Extreme Weather Resilience

An unprecedented coalition of Oklahoma’s academic institutions, Tribal Nations, industry leaders, nonprofits, and government agencies has officially submitted a full proposal to the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) Engines Program. Titled WxFORGE — Forging New Frontiers in Extreme Weather Resilience and Innovation, the effort aims to position Oklahoma as a national leader in resilient infrastructure technologies, workforce development, and weather-adaptive innovations.


October 16, 2024

OU Construction Science Professor Elevated to CSI College of Fellows

Doyle Phillips, Associate Professor in the Haskell & Irene Lemon Construction Science Division at the Christopher C. Gibbs College of Architecture at the University of Oklahoma, has been elevated to the prestigious Construction Specifications Institute (CSI) College of Fellows. This recognition is one of the highest honors CSI can bestow and is given to individuals who have made significant contributions to the construction industry and to the Institute.


August 26, 2024

Gibbs College Announces 2024 Faculty & Staff Award Recipients

Gibbs College is pleased to announce the recipients of the 2024 Gibbs College Faculty & Staff Awards. These outstanding individuals were honored by dean Hans E. Butzer during the Gibbs College Back to School Meeting on August 14, 2024. Recipients were selected by the Gibbs College Awards Committee following an open nomination process.


June 11, 2024

Gibbs College Construction Faculty Featured in USA Today’s Home Warranty Guide

Dr. Ben Bigelow, associate professor and director of the Lemon Construction Science Division at Gibbs College, was recently highlighted in a USA Today article informing readers of the factors they should consider when purchasing a home warranty. Dr. Bigelow provided insights for homeowners navigating the warranty process as well general tips for home maintenance.


November 01, 2023

Flintco Contributes to Braxton Byrd Memorial Scholarship

Representatives from Flintco recently visited Gould Hall, bringing along a donation of $10,000 to bolster the Braxton Byrd Memorial Scholarship. Braxton was a 2022 Construction Science graduate who was well known to all of his classmates for his selfless approach. He was a top student in his class and was always willing to give his time to help others. Braxton tragically passed away a few short weeks after graduation. The scholarship harkens to Braxton’s giving heart and will continue to help Construction Science students.


October 09, 2023

Students from Peru Visit Gibbs College for Andes Housing Project

A group of students from Peru recently spent the week at the Gibbs College of Architecture as part of a collaborative project between the University of Oklahoma and the Universidad Nacional del Altiplano. The project, “Inti Wasi Sustainable and Affordable Cold Climate Housing,” received funding from the 100,000 Strong in the Americas Innovation Fund during the spring 2023 semester.


April 24, 2023

Gibbs Students Travel to Dallas for Interdisciplinary Field Trip

On April 6, third-year Construction Science, Architecture and Interior Design students travelled to Dallas for an interdisciplinary field trip. The students got to learn from industry professionals and gain hands on experience at a construction job site and architecture office.


April 12, 2023

OU Construction Science Professor Receives Campus-Wide Engaged Teaching Award

OU Construction Science Professor Bryan Bloom received the Provost’s Award for Outstanding Engaged Teaching. This award recognizes faculty that utilize innovative teaching techniques that promote community collaboration and high-quality, engaged learning.


April 12, 2023

OU Construction Science Professor Receives Campus-Wide Outstanding Service Award

Dr. Tammy McCuen, Professor of Construction Science, received Provost’s Award for Outstanding Service, which recognizes excellence in OU-related outreach and service activities.


February 14, 2023

Collaborative Project Between OU and University In Peru Awarded Grant

A collaborative project between the University of Oklahoma and the Universidad Nacional del Altiplano in Peru (UNAP) was recently awarded a grant to investigate affordable and sustainable housing in the Andes. The project, “Inti Wasi Sustainable and Affordable Cold Climate Housing,” received funding from the 100,000 Strong in the Americas Innovation Fund.


November 10, 2022

Construction Science Student Recognized as Outstanding Senior

Construction Science student Piper Petree was selected as Gibbs College’s Outstanding Senior for 2022. Every Fall, the dean of each undergraduate college at OU selects one accomplished student to receive this Award of Merit.


September 30, 2022

CNS Prof. Presents on FORTIFIED Homes at OK Building Summit

Dr. Somik Ghosh, Associate Professor in the Haskell and Irene Lemon Division of Construction Science, recently presented his research findings at the Oklahoma Building Summit & Expo in Oklahoma City. The summit was held on September 14th and 15th and was attended by over five hundred attendees and over seventy exhibitors.