Two Mississippi State interior design students have received scholarships from the American Home Furnishings Alliance. (Left to right): Beth Miller, interim associate dean of the College of Architecture, Art, and Design and director of the Interior Design Program; scholarship recipients Ånna Strohm and Jessica Kent; and Bill Martin, director of the Franklin Furniture Institute. (Photo by Beth Wynn | MSU Office of Public Affairs)
Contributor: Karen Brasher
Two Mississippi State students in the College of Architecture, Art and Design are receiving scholarships from the American Home Furnishings Alliance.
Interior design majors Jessica Kent and Anna Strohm each received $16,750 from the national organization which represents the home furnishing industry.
Kent, the daughter of Jeff and Sonya Talley and Shane and Shawn Kent, is a junior from Arab, Ala. She aspires to open a design and furnishing store upon completion of her degree.
“When I first found out that I had received this scholarship, I was in disbelief,” said Kent. “When I finally came to the realization that it was true, I was so happy because all of my hard work thus far is paying off. The committee could see how much it means to me to be successful in school and in my career, and they want to help me fulfill my dreams.”
Sophomore Anna Strohm, from Gallatin, Tenn., said she was honored, shocked and excited when she found out she received the scholarship and immediately called her parents, Chris and Susan Strohm.
“The smile literally could not be wiped off my face all day!”
With the help of this scholarship, Strom hopes to learn more about how to be environmentally conscious and incorporate that knowledge into the design of a space. She also said she hopes to be involved in the creation of more multifunctional pieces to help meet market demands.
Bill Martin, director of MSU’s Franklin Furniture Institute, was instrumental in securing the scholarships.
“The institute is pleased to be able to secure scholarships for students interested in pursuing a career in the furniture and home furnishings industries,” said Bill Martin, director of MSU’s Franklin Furniture Institute.
To qualify for the scholarship, students must write an essay on how they will use their degrees to work in the furniture and home furnishings industries. They must also be enrolled in a partner college of the furniture institute: the College of Architecture, Art and Design; the College of Business; the College of Forest Resources; or the Bagley College of Engineering.
“We appreciate the opportunity for interior design students to be considered as applicants for this prestigious scholarship,” said Beth Miller, director of the Interior Design Program and interim associate dean of the college. “We are excited for the students who received the scholarships and look forward to their continued success in the program.”
The American Home Furnishings Alliance is the world’s largest and most influential trade organization serving the home furnishings industry. Last year, the organization awarded four scholarships to CAAD students. (Read the story)
