GRAND RAPIDS – A gift by architectural and engineering firm TowerPinkster will fund
a permanent scholarship endowment for students in the Interior Design program at Ferris
State University’s Kendall College of Art and Design.
The TowerPinkster Interior Design Endowed Scholarship will be awarded annually to
at least one student and is intended to benefit students who are members of underrepresented
groups within KCAD or who demonstrate financial need. KCAD Dean Max Shangle anticipates
that the scholarship will not only support on-campus studies but help students build
professional experience and connections.
“Kendall College of Art and Design's Interior Design program, with its emphasis in
contract furniture, presents students with numerous opportunities – not only in the
classroom, but through industry experiences and international travel, as well,” said
Shangle. “The TowerPinkster Scholarship Endowment will provide tuition assistance
that allows recipients to make the most of these opportunities.”
TowerPinkster President and CEO Arnie Mikon wanted to show special support for students
after the firm designed the East Campus Suites student apartments on Ferris State’s
main campus in Big Rapids and oversaw the renovation of downtown Grand Rapids’ Old
Federal Building for KCAD’s expansion.
“TowerPinkster is committed to supporting the communities in which we work and live,
and we believe that collaboration among people of different backgrounds, cultures
and experiences results in designs that better reflect the communities we serve,”
says Mikon, whose direction led TowerPinkster to be identified as the best architectural
firm to work for in the nation in 2010 by research and consulting firm ZweigWhite.
Known throughout West Michigan not only for its strong support of higher education
programs but also for its bold, transforming designs and focus on sustainability,
TowerPinkster, through its offices in Grand Rapids and Kalamazoo, provides innovative
solutions for a variety of health care, education, commercial and government clients.
The firm earned LEED Gold certification for Ferris State’s East Campus Suites and
is pursuing LEED Silver certification for the university’s Old Federal Building project.
“We are tremendously grateful for TowerPinkster's support and appreciate their wonderful
work in restoring the historic Old Federal Building,” Shangle added.
KCAD hosted a preview of the restored facility on May 1, in advance of a formal opening
ceremony at the beginning of fall semester in September 2012.
“I believe we have a professional responsibility to support those pursuing careers
in design – someone helped us along the way, and it’s our turn now,” said Mikon. “And
we’re most certainly proud to support a scholarship fund for a program that is housed
in a building we designed!”
For more information about the scholarship or to make a contribution, contact The Ferris Foundation at (231) 591-2365 or [email protected].