The AHFA announced that the
American Home Furnishings Alliance Furniture Foundation has awarded $56,000 in grants for 2009-2010 scholarships to benefit the furniture industry.
The Foundation was established in 1948 to support research and educational programs aimed at improving management, manufacturing and marketing within the residential furniture industry. Since 1990, the Foundation has distributed more than $3 million in scholarships and grants.
For the 2009-2010 academic year, the Foundation has once again awarded Appalachian State University in Boone, N.C., $24,000 to fund eight $3,000 scholarships. In addition, $32,000 is awarded to North Carolina State University, Raleigh, N.C., to fund eight $4,000 scholarships.
The Appalachian State scholarships will go to students pursuing a bachelor of science degree in industrial design/furniture design with a minor in marketing.
“Many students are seriously affected by the current economic crisis, and these scholarships are vital to their success,” said Dr. Glenda Treadaway, dean of the College of Fine and Applied Arts which houses the Department of Technology. “It is a strong testament to the dedication The Furniture Foundation has in investing in the success of upcoming industry professionals and the furniture market. We are grateful for their many years of support.”
The Foundation has given more than $210,000 in scholarship money to Appalachian students in the past six years.
The industrial design/furniture design program prepares students as professional designers and provides experience with various technologies and materials as they relate to creative work, analysis, manufacturing and problem-solving to design and market creative and useful furniture. Information on the program is available at www.tec.appstate.edu.
The NC State scholarships will go to students entering the furniture manufacturing track within the Industrial and Systems Engineering Department, a degree program supported by the Foundation for many years.
“Many of these students have gone on to become leaders in the industry, while many more have had long and productive careers as engineers in furniture and other fields, as well,” said Dr. Russell King, director of NC State’s Furniture Manufacturing and Management Center.
Individuals or companies wishing to donate to the Furniture Foundation should contact Andy Counts at 336/884-5000, ext. 0115, or acounts@ahfa.us.
The American Home Furnishings Alliance – located in High Point, N.C., and Washington, D.C. – is the largest association of home furnishings companies in the world and represents more than 240 leading furniture manufacturers and distributors, as well as nearly 200 suppliers to the furniture industry worldwide.