The UW-Stevens Point Division of Interior Architecture continued its tradition called the Golden Ruler Event: An Evening With Interior Architecture as the program recognized its 2017-18 graduates, student scholarship and award winners, donors, alumni and supporting professionals in the CPS Cafe on Friday, April 27. [Photo Gallery]
The event was highlighted by alumni guest speaker Kar-Keat Chong ’98. As a design leader at Snow Kreilich Architects, Kar-Keat Chong offers a holistic design approach that stretches from exterior building enclosures down to final interior finishes. His project experience ranges from corporate interior projects to restaurants and libraries. To ensure a successful project delivery, Kar-Keat is responsible for all the project phases ranging from programming to post-construction. He has collaborated tirelessly with the client, general contractor and design consultants to meet challenging deadlines and to fit their budget. His ability to communicate design concepts through sketching and digital modeling allows him to be effective during design development. Approaching each design challenge with both a holistic and detail-oriented focus, Kar-Keat is a receptive yet thoughtful collaborator.
Golden Ruler Awards
2018 Recipient: Marty Loy
Dean, College of Professional Studies
In appreciation of support of the Division of Interior Architecture
College of Professional Studies Outstanding Students Dean’s Award
Freshman: Jenna Gajewski
Sophomore: Megan Schuette
Junior: Markley Trever
Senior: Abbey Johnson
Alumni & Donor Speaker: Kar-Keat Chong ’98
As a design leader at Snow Kreilich Architects in Minneapolis, Kar-Keat Chong offers a holistic design approach that stretches from exterior building enclosures down to final interior finishes. His project experience ranges from corporate interior projects to restaurants and libraries.
Division Awards for Academic Excellence
First year: Miya Leistekow, Megan Asplin
Second year: Natalie Smith, Chelsea Martel
Third year: Alissa Kahle
Fourth year: Monica Castillo
Patricia C. Kluetz ASID Scholarship
Recipient: Nicole Goeser
Pat Kluetz spent 25 years as a professor at UW-Stevens Point. Her passion to this day is her students and what opportunities the profession offers emerging designers. Pat had the unique opportunity to work with talented and creative students who have emerged from our program to become impressive professional interior designers. She continues to be involved in some teaching and continuing education programs on campus and serves as a professional liaison to the Division of Interior Architecture ASID Student Chapter.
Jane Wright Abrahamsen Scholarship
Recipients: Chelsea Martel, Carlena Yang
The Jane Wright Abrahamsen Scholarship was established in 1994 by Martin Abrahamsen in memory of his wife. A 1933 home economics graduate, Jane was a member of the Home Economics Club and the women’s basketball team. She taught for four years, then went back to UWSP for graduate credits. She was an employee of the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the University of Maryland.
Dora Phelps Scholarship
Recipient: Kendra Kudla
This fund was established to provide a scholarship to a part-time student employee in interior architecture, family & consumer sciences or dietetics.
Agnes A. Jones Undergraduate Home Economics Scholarship
Recipient: Brittany Laffin
Agnes Jones was a high school home economics teacher, a supervisor of home economics student teachers at UW-Madison, and home economics department chair at Northern Illinois University before she was appointed as head of home economics at what was then Wisconsin State College-Stevens Point in 1957. Jones and her faculty were innovative creators of programs and during one five-year period received more than half a million federal dollars. She and Bonnie McDonald were early pioneers in the Wisconsin Head Start program.
Mary Ann Baird Interior Architecture Scholarship for International Study
Recipient: Natalie Smith
Mary Ann Baird, head of the Division of Interior Architecture from 1978-96, established this scholarship upon her retirement from UWSP. She taught at UWSP for 38 years and established this scholarship to assist students interested in semester international study programs.
Natalie & Paul Ciulla Interior Architecture Scholarship
Recipient: Alissa Kahle
Natalie Ciulla was an alumna and instructor in the Division of Interior Architecture. Her husband Paul was also dedicated to quality design. Natalie’s mother Antonia Nichiporuk with close family friends, Kar-Keat Chong, Ann Fitz, Kathe Julin, and Pam Leviton, established a scholarship in their names to support young designers.
William P. Fonti Scholarship
Recipients: Halle Laverdure, Karalyn Niemeyer, Ashley Pias, Katelyn Ruppel, Jessie Simonis, Bailey Smith, Maly Thao
Scholarships and internships are given to participants in the latest design and showroom competition for this dual branded location in Plover: Furniture and Appliance Mart and Ashley HomeStore. Our students competed in a design phase where four teams were chosen to then compete in setting up and showcasing Ashley Furniture products. It is made possible by the generosity of Bill Fonti, president and CEO of Boston FAM d.b.a. Furniture & ApplianceMart, Ashley HomeStores and MattressMart. Bill and Natthita are pleased to be part of such a great project that helps empower students.
ASID Student Chapter Scholarship
Recipients: Abbey Johnson, Emily Steinhorst
The funds for this scholarship were generated through a raffle held at the annual UWSP ASID Student Chapter banquet for students, alumni and faculty. The scholarship is awarded to students who have made significant contributions to the ASID Student Chapter.
Illuminating Engineering Society Scholarship Milwaukee Chapter
Recipients: Hannah Champion, Abbey Johnson, Brittany Laffin
The Reinowski Memorial Scholarship was established for the advancement and dissemination of theoretical and practical knowledge of the science and art of illumination.
Enterprise Lighting and Control Interior Architecture Scholarship
Recipient: Hannah Champion
This fund supports interior architecture majors, particularly members of the Illuminating Engineering Society student chapter.
Honors Intern
Lauren Kluck
American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) Student Chapter
Co-Presidents: Nicole Goeser, Emily Steinhorst
Treasurer: Heather Zeitler
Secretary: Alyssa Johnson
Historian: Lauren Kaltz
Promotions Chair: Karalyn Niemeyer
Social Chair: Alyssa Johnson
Fourth-Year Rep: Alyssa Johnson
Third-Year Rep: Lauren Kaltz
Second-Year Rep: Karalyn Niemeyer
First-Year Rep: Bailey Smith
Faculty Adviser: Wendy Redeker
Historical Preservations Student Society
President: Alissa Kahle
Vice President: Scarlet Verdico
Treasurer: Heather Zeitler
Historian: Katelyn Ruppel
Secretary: Danielle Nelson
Faculty Adviser: Aaron Kadoch
Illuminating Engineering Society (IES) of North America
Student Chapter
President: Hannah Champion
Vice President: Abbey Johnson
Secretary: Brittany Laffin
Treasurer: Scarlet Verdico
Media: Alissa Kahle
Faculty Advisers: Chris Burch, Katja Marquart
International Interior Design Student Association (IIDSA)
President: Natalie Smith
Vice President: Abigail Boesch
Treasurer: Hannah Champion
Secretary: Ariana Gonzalez
Media and Promotions: Johrie Hicks
Media and Promotions Trainee: Halle Laverdure
STRUT/IIDA Event Liason: Nadine Dragan
Committee Chairs: Madeson Anderson, Claire Goyak, Kate Gulan,
Kendra Kudla, Victoria Pfeiler
Faculty Adviser: Katja Marquart
Class of 2017-18
December Graduates:
Jaycie Chart
Cassandra Fasula
Mitchelle Hanson
Evanne Hefty
Amanda Hutkowski
Lisa Nguyen
Divya Patel
Katie Teske
May Graduates:
Madeson Anderson
Alexandra Bestle
Monica Castillo
Johrie Hicks
Alyssa Johnson
Lauren Kluck
Heather Zeitler