High Point University Announces the Opening of Norton Hall, home of the Knabusch-Shoemaker International School of Home Furnishings

Furniture World Magazine

High Point University is helping to build the future of the home furnishings industry with the grand opening and dedication of Norton Hall, named in honor of Mr. Patrick H. Norton, Chairman of the La-Z-Boy Corporation and a member of the University's Board of Trustees, slated for Friday, October 15, 2004. The building will house the Knabusch-Shoemaker International School of Home Furnishings, named for Edward Knabusch and Edwin Shoemaker, founders of La-Z-Boy. Through the International School of Home Furnishings, the University offers degree programs in Home Furnishings Marketing and Interior Design. The three-story, 27,000 square foot Georgian-style facility features lecture and seminar halls, conference centers, a research and historical reference center, computer labs, design studios, additional classrooms, a student lounge and faculty offices. Of note are: • A multi-purpose lecture hall, designed with moveable walls and an open floor plan. • A lecture hall, with state-of-the-art video, television and electronic conferencing. • An extensive furniture library and special reference center housing books, periodicals and other special collections. • An historical reference room that will also serve as a senior-level seminar space and industry conference center. • Gallery space • A computer aided design (CAD) lab • A lighting lab • Three design studios • A textile lab Principal architect for the building is Mercer Architecture, Inc. of High Point, North Carolina. The preliminary design was created by Allred and Mercer, Inc. Groundbreaking took place on October 21, 2002. The building cost is approximately $3.6 million. High Point University was founded in 1924 by the predecessors of the United Methodist Church. US News & World Report has recognized the University as being a Top Tier Southern Liberal Arts College. The Templeton Foundation selected High Point University as one of its 100 character-building universities and colleges in the United States. High Point University has approximately 3000 undergraduate and graduate students, and boasts a 16:1 student-to-teacher ratio. 43 undergraduate majors are offered and individualized majors designed by students and overseen by the Committee on Individual Instruction are also available. A fully staffed placement office assists students in finding compatible employment. High Point University is a member of the Big South NCAA Division I Athletic Conference. For further information, please visit www.highpoint.edu.