Mark Woodbury Named 2025 Distinguished Alumni in Architecture by UNM School of Architecture + Planning
June 5, 2025
The University of New Mexico School of Architecture + Planning (SA+P) is proud to announce that Mark Woodbury, Chairman and CEO of Universal Destinations & Experiences, has been named the recipient of the 2025 Distinguished Alumni in Architecture award. The Distinguished Alumni award is the highest honor bestowed by the School and recognizes graduates who have made significant contributions to their profession and community. Recipients are chosen for their creativity, leadership, and vision.
“Mark Woodbury exemplifies the spirit and ambition we strive to instill in our students,” said Robert González, Dean of the UNM School of Architecture + Planning. “His career is a testament to the transformative power of design thinking and the broad impact an architectural education can have far beyond traditional practice.” Woodbury earned his BAA in 1981 from UNM before launching into a career that would ultimately take him from the drafting studio to the helm of one of the world’s premier entertainment destination companies. Under his leadership, Universal has delivered groundbreaking theme parks and immersive experiences that push the boundaries of storytelling and design.
Reflecting on his time at UNM, Woodbury said: “I am truly honored to receive the Distinguished Alumni award from the University of New Mexico School of Architecture and Planning. After more than forty years, I still vividly recall the names, faces, and influences of many great faculty of my time, Edith Cherry, Stephen Dent, David Kal, Howard Kaplan, Baker Morrow, Richard Nordhaus, Wolfgang Preiser, and Anne Taylor, and many more. Each of them brought such passion for the creative process and architectural profession, and all of them left lasting, powerful impressions that shaped the course of my career. I never would have imagined that I would take such an unconventional path from architecture school to private practice—and ultimately, to have the honor of serving as Chairman and CEO of a global entertainment destination and experience company like Universal. What is clear as day to me now, though, is that I would not have achieved these things without the foundation that was formed at UNM. For that, I am filled with great admiration and gratitude for the experience, the place, the people, and the institution. Thank you so much for this great honor."
Chris Cornelius, Chair of Architecture at UNM SA+P, also remarked on the significance of Woodbury’s achievements. “Mark’s journey underscores the expansive potential of an architecture degree. His innovative leadership at Universal has redefined how people around the world engage with built environments. We are proud to honor him as a distinguished alumnus.” The award was presented on June 4, 2025, at the UNM SA+P Alumni Gathering in Boston during the AIA25 Annual Conference on Architecture + Design.
