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.
- Teaching Award: Tamar Zinguer
- Scholarly and Creative Activity Award: Andres Cavieres
- Service Award: Ben Bigelow
- Community Engagement Award: Vanessa Morrison and Deborah Richards
- Access and Opportunity Award: Wanda Liebermann
- Student Mentoring Award: Angela Person
- Jerri Hodges Bonebrake All-Around Staff Award: Brandy McDonald
Read on to learn more about the recipients, including quotes from colleagues who nominated them.
2024 Teaching Award | TAMAR ZINGUER, Architecture
“Dr. Zinguer has demonstrated exemplary instruction by adapting the first-year architecture curriculum to integrate innovative, place-based assignments that delve into crucial aspects such as weather, local materials, and Indigenous forms of making. By infusing these elements into the curriculum, she not only enriches students’ understanding of architecture but also instills in them a deep appreciation for the cultural and environmental contexts in which they are learning.”
“Despite the large number of freshman students under her care, Dr. Zinguer goes above and beyond to get to know each student as an individual. She invests time in understanding their backgrounds, interests, and goals, creating a personalized learning environment where every student feels valued and supported. Dr. Zinguer possesses a unique teaching style that nudges students to surpass their own expectations and produce work of exceptional quality. Her encouragement, coupled with her high standards, inspires students to push their boundaries and explore their full potential.”
2024 Scholarly and Creative Activity Award | ANDRES CAVIERES, Architecture
“As part of a multidisciplinary team, Dr. Cavieres was instrumental in securing a Major Research Instrumentation award from the National Science Foundation, resulting in a $589,262 grant to develop cutting-edge technologies for sustainable building systems.”
“One of his most notable inventions is the patented V-Clamp Panel Attachment System, which revolutionizes photovoltaic installations by making them faster, more secure, and less costly. This groundbreaking innovation has garnered widespread acclaim and is now being invested in by Boyd Street Ventures, an investment firm dedicated to supporting startup companies like VesprSolar, with which Dr. Cavieres is partnering. … Dr. Cavieres’ entrepreneurial spirit and commitment to innovation have positioned him as a trailblazer among a new generation of Gibbs College faculty inventors, paving the way for the commercialization of sustainable technologies that have a transformative impact on the future of resilient design and construction.”
2024 Service Award | BEN BIGELOW, Construction Science
“Dr. Bigelow quietly serves, but his impact is huge if you know where to look. As the director of the construction science program, he oversees a myriad of curricular and student engagement activities, ensuring the continued success and growth of the program. Beyond his administrative duties, Dr. Bigelow actively participates in numerous committees within the college and university, lending his expertise and leadership to various initiatives. One notable example of Dr. Bigelow’s impactful service activities is his involvement in the national search for the next director of the division of architecture. His commitment to this endeavor not only reflects his dedication to the advancement of the architectural profession but also showcases his willingness to contribute to the broader academic community. In addition, he helps to coordinate the all-college career fair each year.”
2024 Community Engagement Award | VANESSA MORRISON AND DEBORAH RICHARDS, Environmental Design & Architecture
“Vanessa and Deborah’s impactful community engagement work has garnered national recognition, as evidenced by a recent feature in Architect Magazine. Their leadership and innovative approach to community-based design have not only elevated their status within the academic community but also positioned them as leaders in the field nationally. Furthermore, Vanessa and Deborah actively engage Gibbs College students and alumni in their community impact design work, providing them with valuable opportunities to apply their skills and knowledge in real-world settings.”
“Vanessa Morrison and Deborah Richards exemplify the spirit of the Gibbs College Community Engagement Award through their tireless dedication, innovative approaches, and transformative impact on local communities. Their collaborative efforts with the Open Design Collective serve as a model for community-based design practices, and their commitment to empowering marginalized communities sets a standard for ethical and inclusive engagement.”
2024 Access and Opportunity Award | WANDA LIEBERMANN, Architecture
“On arriving at OU in 2021, Dr. Liebermann began working to establish what we now know as the Gibbs Design Activism Awards Program. This grant initiative supports student-led projects that engage questions of social justice and the built environment. Dr. Liebermann built this program from scratch, securing funding, creating a sense of community, developing a schedule and process. Dr. Liebermann has acted as the primary coordinator for this program since its inception. She does all the fundraising, publicity, and organizing. She individually mentors each student applicant before submission.”
“One of Dr. Liebermann’s most notable achievements is securing multi-year funding agreements in support of the GDAA program from campus partners. This funding ensures the sustainability and continued impact of the program, allowing students to pursue meaningful projects that contribute to positive social change.”
2024 Student Mentoring Award | ANGELA PERSON, Architecture
“As the faculty advisor for the student journal Telesis, Dr. Person helped a student idea become a reality. The idea for Telesis emerged from one of her students in a class and Dr. Person carefully coached the student along as they developed it into a proposal for a course and journal. That student has long since graduated, but Dr. Person continues to manage student editors who lead a team of students to conceptualize, develop and produce each issue of Telesis. Incredibly, this relatively young student journal has twice won the national Douglas Haskell Award for Student Journals from the Center for Architecture, based in NYC. Adding to that incredible success, Telesis was awarded a highly prestigious and competitive Graham Foundation Grant in 2021.”
“Clearly, if the success of a great mentor is measured by the success of their mentees, Dr. Angela Person is most deserving of this award.”
2024 Jerri Hodges Bonebrake All-Around Staff Award | BRANDY MCDONALD, Staff
“She always has a positive attitude and spirit and takes on any task or challenge we give her with price and enthusiasm. She is often here late and is always willing to help with whatever she is asked to do, but I think she has particularly earned this award for her work on the Gala. “
“Brandy’s selflessness and kindness are evident in her interactions with colleagues and students alike. She consistently goes out of her way to support her colleagues, whether it’s organizing a beautiful baby shower for a colleague … or providing assistance and guidance to students in need. Brandy’s collaborative spirit extends beyond her immediate team, as she actively supports initiatives such as the Planning, Landscape Architecture, and Design faculty search. Her willingness to collaborate effectively with colleagues both within and outside of Gibbs College underscores her commitment to advancing the college’s mission and values.”
Congratulations to all winners! We are so proud of the incredible work you are doing in Gibbs College and beyond.