Appalachian State University's Furniture Design program isn't just about crafting beautiful pieces—it's about transforming futures. With a tight-knit community of only 40 students, each individual receives unprecedented support and attention. One of the key ways this support manifests is through annual grants from the American Home Furnishings Alliance (AHFA), an organization comprising industry professionals dedicated to promoting and supporting the furniture industry, including here in North Carolina.
Since 2010, Professor Richard Prisco has diligently applied for these grants each March, ensuring that between $12,000 and $16,000 annually goes directly into student accounts to help pay for tuition. This year alone, twelve students will benefit from this crucial financial support. These grants make a meaningful difference, not just alleviating financial burdens but also empowering students to fully immerse themselves in their studies and pursue professional careers in furniture design.
Here are the students who are receiving tuition assistance this academic year (2024-25):
Dana Carter
Evan Froning
Haley Grimbeek
Colvin Harvey
Sam Ingram
Wills Koeniger
Zoe Moore
Salem Morris
Zane Owens
Orko Sen
Sarah Toub
Ivan Rabinowitz
The story of these grants goes back even further with Kern Moss, who initiated the application process before Richard Prisco took over. The grants have consistently supported aspiring designers for many years, enabling them to compete and excel in national competitions like the Pinnacle Awards, where their creativity and hard work shine on a grand stage.Through these efforts, Appalachian State University's Furniture Design program continues to nurture talented designers, preparing them to become leaders in the industry and ensuring that financial constraints never hinder their potential.
About the Department of Applied Design
One of seven departments housed in the College of Fine and Applied Arts, the Department of Applied Design at Appalachian State University fosters excellence in design education, design research, and professional placement. The department balances theoretical and pragmatic approaches while exploring an awareness of impact through design decisions on the global community. Faculty focus on a holistic approach to creative problem-solving by integrating sustainability and ethical responsibility in teaching and practice. The department offers bachelor's degrees in apparel design and merchandising, industrial design, and interior design.
About the College of Fine and Applied Arts
Appalachian State University's College of Fine and Applied Arts is a dynamic and innovative group of seven academic departments, bringing together a variety of perspectives, experiences, and real-world education to provide unique opportunities for student success. The college has more than 3,500 undergraduate and graduate majors. Its departments are Applied Design, Art, Communication, Military Science and Leadership, Sustainable Development, Sustainable Technology and the Built Environment, and Theatre and Dance. Learn more at https://faa.appstate.edu.
About Appalachian State University
As the premier public undergraduate institution in the Southeast, Appalachian State University prepares students to lead purposeful lives as global citizens who understand and engage their responsibilities in creating a sustainable future for all. The Appalachian Experience promotes a spirit of inclusion that brings people together in inspiring ways to acquire and create knowledge, to grow holistically, to act with passion and determination, and to embrace diversity and difference. Located in the Blue Ridge Mountains, Appalachian is one of 17 campuses in the University of North Carolina System. Appalachian enrolls nearly 21,000 students, has a low student-to-faculty ratio, and offers more than 150 undergraduate and graduate majors.
Richard Prisco thumbnail
Richard Prisco thumbnail