Visionary Educator and Founder of UNT's Renowned Interior Design Program

C. Ray Gough (1920–2015) significantly shaped the Interior Design program at the College of Visual Arts and Design at UNT. After earning his bachelor’s (1940) and master’s (1941) degrees in art from UNT, Gough served in the Navy during World War II. Upon returning, he pursued further studies at the Illinois Institute of Technology under the mentorship of renowned modernist architect Ludwig Mies van der Rohe.

C. Ray Gough Lecture Series

In 1950, Gough came back to UNT as a professor, serving until 1979. He founded the university’s Interior Design program, pioneering many courses that remain part of the curriculum. His passion for global architecture led him to travel extensively, where he collected over 10,000 images and slides to enrich his teaching. These visual materials, along with his efforts to bring industry leaders to campus through the C. Ray Gough Lecture Series, helped build the program’s national reputation.

Under Gough’s leadership, UNT’s Interior Design program became one of the top in the country, offering a comprehensive curriculum that prepares students for the diverse demands of the profession. Gough emphasized that interior design involves more than decorating spaces — it requires creating environments that are functional, safe, and aesthetically pleasing by determining space needs, choosing materials, and collaborating with architects and builders.

C. Ray Gough Lecture Series Speakers

2024: Toby Isreal, Ph.D., design psychologist