Dear Alumni and Friends,

Fall 2021 was a semester of optimism as the faculty, staff, and students in the Department of Design and Merchandising enthusiastically embraced the return of campus events and professional visits that allowed us to gather with alumni, industry professionals, donors, family, and friends whose generosity and support are invaluable to providing our students with rich educational experiences. Noted fall events included the CSU Homecoming tailgate party; a visit from Mark Messura, the senior vice president in the Global Supply Chain Marketing Division at Cotton Incorporated; the Emerging Leaders in Apparel and Merchandising alumni panel funded by the Kotsiopulos fund; and a professional industry networking event, Denver Design Dialogues, for students in the Interior Architecture and Design program.

Students in Design and Merchandising continue to achieve recognition for their academic successes. In December, five apparel and merchandising students were awarded scholarships from the Fashion Scholarship Fund ($7,500 each) for their exceptional entries in the organization’s national case study competition and will attend the postponed Fashion Scholarship Fund Industry Gala in New York City in April. Also, Sara Bovaird, an interior architecture and design student, is receiving the College of Health and Human Sciences 2022 Outstanding Senior Award in recognition of her many academic accomplishments and leadership activities.

Faculty also continue to excel in their teaching, research, and service to the University. In 2021, Dr. Sonali Diddi was selected as a fellow for the inaugural Colorado State University President’s Leadership Fellowship program with the Office of Engagement and Extension and in October, Dr. Kristen Morris received the ATEXINC Award for Excellence in Marketable Textile Design from the International Textile and Apparel Association. In March, Dr. Maria Delgado, Dr. Jain Kwon, Dr. Laura Malinin, and Dr. Leah Scolere will present research at the annual meeting of the Interior Design Educators Council, which will once again be held in person in New York City. On a more personal note, Jennifer Worrell Jeanneret, AM internship coordinator and instructor, welcomed a beautiful baby boy – Barrett – into her family.

The Avenir Museum of Design and Merchandising had a successful fall, and on Feb. 1 will launch three new exhibits including Scaasi: Elegance and Glamour From Day to Night, a selection of fashion designer Arnold Scaasi’s work from the Avenir’s permanent collection. We also are excited to share that in November, we hired Douglas Andrews to serve as the museum’s visitor engagement coordinator. We are thrilled to have Douglas on board, and we look forward to the many ways in which he will enhance our engagement with patrons. 2022 will be a tremendously exciting year for the Avenir Museum.

Also, the department will support a full renovation of the textile science lab. The design concept for the renovation was developed by four IAD students – Claire Atkinson, Sara Bovaird, Shelby Norris, and Cassandra Richer – through a group project mentored by Dr. Scolere. The project reflects Dr. Scolere’s commitment to service-learning and represents a unique example of how student learning in interior design will foster student learning in textile science. The renovation will kick off this summer, and the first class in the new facility is scheduled for Fall 2022.

We are excited for the start of the Spring 2022 semester, and we look forward to enjoying more on-campus events with alumni, industry professionals, donors, family, and friends, including the AM Fashion Show on Friday, May 6, and the IAD Senior Show on Saturday, May 14. We hope some of you will be able to join us for these events!