Forty Under 40: Walter Jennings

Walter Jennings is possibly a modern-day Renaissance man.

A 2001 graduate of the University of Arkansas, he earned a bachelor’s in architecture with minors in physics and studio art.

“Architecture pulls a lot of things together, and you want to be a well-informed generalist,” he explained. “Sometimes it is nice to understand a little bit of everything.”

In school, he interned at his father’s firm. At graduation, though, he decided it would be good to gain experience on his own.

He went to work at HOK Sport, now called Populous, in Oklahoma City. The company designs stadiums and large sporting arenas.

But Jennings missed designing the smaller-scale projects his dad specialized in, mainly homes and chapels, so he returned to Fayetteville in 2004.

He considers being licensed and being a partner in the firm with his father his biggest achievements. With an interest in sustainable architecture, he is LEED-accredited.

Jennings also was recently appointed to the Washington County Planning Board.

Outside of work, Jennings is a firefighter with the Round Mountain Volunteer Fire Department, and a member of the county’s Urban Search and Rescue team and its board.

“Again, it’s something that’s quite different from architecture, and a great opportunity to meet other people in your community,” Jennings said.