High Point University's Ashley Holleran receives Haverty Cup

Award is given to top student in home furnishings program

Furniture Today Staff -- Furniture Today, April 18, 2010

 AT THE MARKET — Ashley Holleran, a senior at High Point University, received the Haverty Cup Friday as HPU's top home furnishings graduate.

Ashley Holleran, third from left, receives the Ashley Cup as High Point University’s top home furnishings student from Scott Miles, left, Havertys; Richard Bennington, HPU; and Steve Burdette, Havertys.

Holleran will receive a bachelor's in home furnishings with a minor in interior design next month. She has a grade point average of 3.86 of a possible 4.0, and 3.9 in her major.

She has played on HPU's women's soccer team during her four years at the university, including Big South champion teams in 2007 and 2009. She also was a Millis Scholar Athlete and was on the Big South Presidential Honor Roll all four years.

Holleran received the Furniture Fellowship Endowed Scholarship last year. She has worked as an assistant at Sherrill Furniture during the High Point Market.

"Ashley is an outstanding student who is sincerely interested in a career in the home furnishings industry. Her grades are consistently among the highest in each class and she is serious about learning," said Richard Bennington, Paul Broyhill professor of home furnishings at HPU.

She'll start her career soon, working for Havertys as a sales consultant in Charlotte, N.C., said Scott Miles, vice president, stores and development, for the Atlanta-based retailer. Miles and Steve Burdette, executive vice president, stores, attended the Haverty Cup presentation.

Holleran will receive a $2,500 cash award and an engraved replica of the trophy. Her name will be engraved on the Haverty Cup, which is kept on permanent display at HPU.

The Haverty Cup was established in 1988 by Rawson Haverty Sr. to honor HPU's most outstanding graduate in home furnishings and to encourage students to pursue a career in the industry.