WSU’s Apparel, Merchandising and Textiles program won the first institutional-level scholarship competition at Fashion Group International of Seattle.
This is an annual competition among universities, which make proposals to FGI. Deborah Vandermar, the group’s co-chair for the event, said four universities applied for the 2002 scholarship and grant, and WSU’s proposal won. The scholarship grant, awarded at recent ceremonies in Seattle, came to $12,500.
Vandermar stated that FGI has given scholarships for many years, handling applications directly from students. This year the organization switched to giving scholarship grants to universities, which administer them to students.
Carol Salusso, apparel, merchandising and interior design grant co-author, said WSU will award $10,000 in scholarships for the spring 2003 semester. Four general scholarships of $2,000 each will be based on financial need and impact on students’ ability to meet the increasing cost of college. One will be awarded to an international student, one to a student studying abroad, and one to a graduate student. The fourth will have no such restrictions.
In addition, WSU will award a Stella Warnick Outstanding Leadership in Apparel Design scholarship of $1,000, which honors a retired Seattle Pacific University professor. A $1,000 scholarship for Outstanding Performance in Retailing or Merchandising, which honors the late Olive J. Smith, who was a buyer and executive with Bon Marche, will also be awarded.
The remaining $2,500 of the grant will go to strengthen the university’s connection to the Seattle-based industry through supporting travel and other activities.
The program’s recent career forum, held at the Bon Marche in Seattle with high-level industry speakers, is an example of such networking opportunities, Salusso said. Expanding field trips, internships and involvement in Fashion Group International also are examples of strengthening the industry-education linkage.
