WithIt names scholarship winners

Home Textiles Today Staff -- Home Textiles Today, 9/12/2012 3:30:18 PM

Greensboro, N.C. - Non-profit network WithIt, which promotes and supports careers for women in the home furnishings industry, has selected two full-time students as the recipients for its 2012 Jena & Stephen Hall Scholarship.

They are: Liz Moore of Kendall College of Art & Design, and Kimberly Small of Winthrop University. Each was awarded $2,500 to cover their respective tuition expenses.

In addition, WithIt hosted 20 student scholars at its recent professional conference, "a feat made possible through the generous sponsorships" of Brown Jordan, Sunbrella, furniture designer Richard Frinier, and WithIt 2010 President's Award recipient Catherine Frinier, the organization noted.

"Students pursuing degrees in home furnishings-related careers, including Moore and Small, were able to learn from keynote speakers, engage in timely roundtable discussions and network with fellow attendees," WithIt added.

Jackie Hirschhaut of the American Home Furnishings Alliance and chair of the WithIt Professional Conference, said, "We had a stellar group of young women participate in the conference, all chosen by their university faculty as outstanding students with interest in pursuing careers in the home furnishings industries."

WithIt's 2012 Student Scholars represented 13 universities or colleges. Aside from Moore and Small, the list includes: Krystin Glass, Abbey Reynolds, and Elizabeth Terrell from Appalachian State University; Charlotte Lambert from Auburn University; Kristine Edwards and Erica Lang from High Point University; Lane Risdon from Kendall College of Art and Design; Rachel Atkinson and Julia Ross from Meredith College; Caroline Cooper and Sarah Gene Kilpatrick from Mississippi University; Tina Brumm from Philadelphia University; Elizabeth Warlop from Rhode Island School of Design; Jerri Hobdy from Savannah College of Art & Design; Julia Staley from UNC - Charlotte; Felicia Dean from University of North Carolina at Greensboro; and Sara Englehart and Amber Knight from North Carolina State University - the latter who described the experience as "eye opening."

"I met so many amazing people, members and speakers," Knight said. "I made connections that I had never thought possible when I was first invited to attend. The women at WithIt shocked me with their power, confidence and inspiration."