Ron Frantz, Associate Professor and Director of Small Town Studios with the Institute for Quality Communities, recently presented the keynote address at the 2022 Iowa Downtown Conference. The conference, held in Pella, Iowa, was organized by the Iowa Economic Development Authority’s Iowa Downtown Resource Center and included plenary sessions with speakers and educational breakout sessions focusing on downtown revitalization, field sessions, tours, an exhibit hall and several networking activities in cool venues. Attendees had the opportunity to learn about the latest trends, acquire practical information and ideas, and learn strategies relevant to rural, mid-sized, and urban communities.
Frantz’s talk, titled “Recruiting the Next Generation of Downtown Preservationists,” pulled from his experiences teaching the Historic Preservation Course at Gibbs College. He discussed ways to engage college students in historic preservation and revitalization. In his presentation, he talked about his approach for delivering design recommendations to help future leaders step into the world feeling confident as historic preservation supporters and downtown enthusiasts.
During the Spring 2026 semester, students in Interior Design Studio IV and Graduate Studio IV gained hands-on experience in educational facility design through a semester-long partnership with MA+ Architecture.
The Christopher C. Gibbs College of Architecture congratulates Dr. Tammy McCuen, Robert E. Busch Professor of Construction Science, on beginning her term as president of the Associated Schools of Construction (ASC), an international organization dedicated to advancing construction education through teaching, research and service.
Following years of contributions to the College’s research and strategic initiatives, Gibbs College shares that Associate Dean for Research and External Engagement Angela M. Person, PhD, will step down from her position at Gibbs College as she moves to Tucson with her family, effective June 30, 2026.
