Daily News
From Home Furnishing Business
Wilsonart Establishes Student Fund for IIDA
March 11,
2014 by in Designer Weekly 
The Wilsonart Student Education Fund has been established to provide financial support for student members of the International Interior Design Association seeking professional advancement.
The fund is open to student members in 29 domestic IIDA chapters.
“We at Wilsonart truly value the importance of students of interior design because they’re the creative masterminds behind tomorrow’s home, work and play spaces,” said Mark Kieckhafer, specifications sales manager at Wilsonart. “It’s important for us to make sure the benefits of laminate remain part of the discussion when it’s their turn to specify a project. For these reasons, we are pleased to sponsor the Wilsonart Student Education Fund and play an active role in IIDA’s Student Mentoring Week.”
The fund’s initial contribution will sponsor the newly established Wilsonart essay competition for the years 2014-2016, awarding a $1,000 prize for each year’s competition winner. The competition invites student members participating in IIDA Student Mentoring Week, March 31-April 4, to submit original essays about their mentoring experiences, detailing how their mentors demonstrated leadership and innovation by inspiring the students and otherwise enhancing their education.