HIGH POINT, NC — The Bienenstock Furniture Library concluded its fifth annual Future Designers Summit, held Sept. 24 – 26, by awarding scholarships to five exceptional students.
The Broyhill Family Foundation Scholarship recipient of $5,000 is Christian Hess, an industrial design student at Appalachian State University.
The High Point Market Authority Scholarship of $1,000 was awarded to Kauner Shacklette, an Architecture and Historic Preservation student at University of Kentucky.
The Scott Coley Design Scholarship of $500 was awarded to Hannah Hicks, an Interior Design student at Randolph Community College.
The Nancy Fire Design Scholarship of $500 was awarded to Yarlin Ramirez, an Interior Architecture student at Salem College.
Finally, the Bienenstock Furniture Library Scholarship was awarded to Julia Erickson, an – Interior Design student at High Point University.
These students were among the 34 selected from 14 colleges and universities to attend the 2025 Future Designers Summit. Participating schools included Appalachian State University, College of the Canyons, Forsyth Tech, High Point University, Meredith College, Randolph Community College, Saddleback College, Salem College, University of Houston, University of Idaho, University of Kentucky, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Virginia Tech, and
Western Carolina University.
Before being selected to attend, each student submitted personal essays and provided work samples from their portfolios during the application process.
The annual Future Designers Summit offers students an immersive three-day educational and networking experience. Keynote addresses were presented by Lisa Kahn, Finding Sanctuary; Natalie Miller, Sherwin Williams; and Tammy Covington, High Point Market Authority.
Furnishings showrooms and factories toured by the students during this year’s summit included Cohab Space, Feizy Rugs, Phillips Collection, Universal Furniture, and Verellen Furniture.
Hooker Furniture sponsored the event’s opening night dinner.
The 2025 Future Designers Summit sponsors are Davis Furniture, Gary Inman Home Couture, Furniture World Magazine, IFDA Education Foundation, Gabriele Natale, Richard Frinier Design Studio and Rock House Farms Family of Brands.
Additional sponsors include Feizy Rugs, HPxD, John Turpin, Kara Cox Interiors, Kravet, Nancy Fire Designs, Patti Carpenter, P/Kaufmann, Port 68, Thayer Coggin, Vaughan-Bassett Furniture Company, Welcome Ideas, Wits End Design Studio, and WorkTheBrand PR.
Sponsor contributions helped to offset the costs of travel, accommodations and meals for each student attendee, also covering expenses for the program’s development and marketing.
For the full list of the program contributors, or to inquire about future sponsorship opportunities, visit the Future Designers Summit page located on the Bienenstock Furniture Library website, or write to Karla Jones at executive-director@furniturelibrary.com.
