ENR Texas & Louisiana reports on the top design firms and construction companies in Texas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Mississippi. ENR’s annual Best Projects contest recognizes the best construction projects in the region, based on innovation and contribution to the industry, functionality of design and aesthetic quality, construction quality and craftsmanship, overcoming challenges and teamwork, and safety. Out of 131 entries in 2020, the most ever received of ENR’s 10 regional contests, Vaughn took home the Award of Merit in the Higher Education/Research category for the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, Health Education Center project. Vaughn’s contribution to the award-winning project began at phase 2 and included a new academic building and some much-needed improvements to the campus’s central plant and wastewater treatment plant. The new 61,500 SF facility accommodates increasing enrollment and allows the university to host large campus events and academic conferences. Faculty and marine science, engineering, and business students now enjoy a large multipurpose space, seminar rooms, a business center, and a campus bookstore. The building also contains an office suite for the associate vice president of administration and auxiliary services, a human resources office suite, and light food service.