UALR was recently recognized in a national design competition by the Brick Industry Association, which honors the best in clay brick design across North America each year.

UALR’s Charles W. Donaldson Student Services Center won a Bronze Award in the Higher Education category in the Brick in Architecture awards competition.

Since 1989, the Brick Industry Association has sponsored the competition, one of the country’s most prestigious architectural award programs.

Selected by an independent panel of judges, the 2014 Brick in Architecture Awards spiked this year with more than 150 entries. The 40 winners in various categories span 22 states and Canada.

“We’re proud of the design recognition the project continues to receive,” said Wesley Walls of the Little Rock-based Polk, Stanley, Wilcox architectural firm, which designed the building.

The building’s design has also been recognized as a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) gold rating facility and received the American Institute of Architects Honor Award for excellence in architecture and urban design in Arkansas.

The Student Services Center is a modern four-story building for all student services and campus administration. Within the building, students can apply, register, find out about financial aid, talk to advisers, and apply for graduation.

Located adjacent to the Ottenheimer Library and adjoining the Donaghey Student Center by skywalk, the building houses such offices as Administration, Admissions & Financial Aid, Records & Registration, Student Accounts and Cashiers Office, and a 205-seat auditorium.