OU Gibbs College of Architecture alum David Hornbeek was recently awarded a Governor’s Arts Award for Community Service.
Fourteen individuals and three organizations were honored for their contributions to the arts during the 44th Oklahoma Governor’s Arts Awards in the rotunda of the Oklahoma State Capitol. Since 1975, the Governor’s Arts Awards has recognized hundreds of individuals and organizations whose efforts have impacted the arts in their communities or throughout the state of Oklahoma. The awards are presented by the Governor of Oklahoma during a special ceremony at the Oklahoma State Capitol.
The Community Service Award, the award Hornbeek was presented with, recognized significant contributions to the arts in specific Oklahoma communities in the areas of leadership and volunteerism.
David Hornbeek stated, “I am deeply honored, enormously blessed, and intrinsically fulfilled to receive awards with several other recipient colleagues and friends on the same occasion […] It was truly an evening I will never forget!”
After graduating from the Gibbs College of Architecture in 1978 with a Bachelor Degree in Environmental Design and a Master of Architecture degree, David would eventually create and work as Principal for Hornbeek-Blatt Architects. While working as Principal, David participated in several impressive projects, including the new First Americans Museum in Oklahoma City.
He has also been active in the Oklahoma Board of Architects, Landscape Architects and Interior Designers, various NCARB committees, visiting adjunct professor and member of the University of Oklahoma School of Architecture’s Professional Advisory Board and Board of Visitors, and the AIA Central Oklahoma chapter. Currently, David Hornbeek is serving as the Region 5 director on the NCARB Board of Directors.
Congratulations to David Hornbeek on this recognition! The Gibbs College of Architecture is incredibly proud of his achievements.
Gibbs College of Architecture is proud to recognize Petya Stefanoff, who is pursuing her doctorate in the Planning, Design & Construction (PDC) program, has been appointed the new role of Director of Community Development for the City of Shawnee, Oklahoma. She joined the city in 2024.
Gibbs College of Architecture is pleased to announce that Amber N. Wiley, Ph.D., associate professor in the Division of Planning, Landscape Architecture and Design and director of the Institute for Quality Communities, has received national recognition for her book Model Schools in the Model City. The book has been named a finalist for the 2026 the PROSE Awards.
Gibbs College of Architecture Regional + City Planning Professor of Practice Vanessa Morrison and Associate Professor of Architecture Deborah Richards’ Open Design Collective received top honors at the inaugural BlackSpace Urbanist Collective Studio KIN Pitch Night Competition, held last month in Brooklyn, New York City.
