On Friday, November 14, the Hines College community gathered on campus to celebrate the College’s 80th anniversary in an unconventional way – with an un-gala. Designed to capture the energy and joy of a gala without the formality, the un-gala invited alumni, friends, faculty, staff, and students to reconnect while raising funds for emerging design technologies at the College.

When Hines College student Marshall Bradley first learned he had been selected for the Project Row Houses’ Floyd Newsum Summer Studios Mentorship + Residency Program, he knew it was more than a creative opportunity—it was a chance to explore the deep history and humanity of Houston’s Third Ward. Now, after completing the residency and presenting his exhibition in August and September, Bradley reflects on a summer that not only transformed his perspective as a designer but also deepened his connection to the community he sought to honor.

On May 8, the University of Houston Gerald D. Hines College of Architecture and Design celebrated the Class of 2025 – 195 graduates whose academic experience is defined by resilience and adaptability. Many of these students started their academic journeys under unexpected circumstances at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, emerging stronger and more prepared to tackle the demands of their future professional careers. As they close this transformative chapter, several graduates reflect on their unique experiences, offering insight and inspiration to those who follow in their footsteps.