ASU revamping housing and interior design program
By Furniture Today Staff -- Furniture Today, June 24, 2002
BOONE, N.C. — Appalachian State University is making changes in its housing and interior design program after a two-year review, aiming to provide more opportunities for students interested in the furniture and related industries.
The program, which now has about 100 undergraduate students and three faculty members, will join the school's Department of Technology effective July 1. It has been part of the Department of Family and Consumer Sciences.
Appalachian's industrial technology program builds on core competencies with skills in management, marketing and communication.
"This realignment will help prepare students to meet the changing environment of design," said Steve Kincaid, president of manufacturer Kincaid Furniture and a 1970 ASU graduate. "Appalachian is now positioned to be a major source of talented employees for the furniture industry."
Mark Estepp, chairman of the Department of Technology, said the school plans to strengthen the business requirements of the industrial technology degree by focusing on management-related courses.
In the past year, the school has bolstered its ties to the industry through an executive-in-residence program conducted by Fred Preddy, former chief executive officer of Hammary.
Preddy teaches seminar courses in furniture industry management and leadership, and helps bring furniture executives to campus to meet with students in the program.
More than 400 Appalachian alumni are employed in the furniture and home furnishings industries, according to the school.
| Preddy |
