Furniture Library Awards Scholarships at Future Designers Summit

October 11, 2026  by Karen Parrish in Business Strategy, Industry   

The Broyhill Family Foundation Scholarship recipient of $5,000 is Maggie Harrell, an Interior Design student at Randolph Community College.

The Broyhill Family Foundation Scholarship recipient of $2,500 is Sage Rogers, an Interior Design student at Western Carolina University.

A Bienenstock Furniture Library Scholarship recipient of $500 is Melia Foster, a Furniture Design student at Savannah College of Art & Design (SCAD).

A second Bienenstock Furniture Library Scholarship recipient of $500 is Allison Monteith, an interior design student at Western Carolina University.

These students were among the 36 selected from 14 colleges and universities to attend the 2026 Future Designers Summit studying interior design, furniture design, industrial design, fashion design, architecture, and graphic design.

Participating schools included Appalachian State University, Forsyth Tech, High Point University, North Carolina State University, Randolph Community College, Salem College, Savannah College of Art & Design, The Interior Design Institute, University of Houston, University of Illinois, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Wake 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 Patti Carpenter, Global Trend Ambassador, Tammy Covington, President and CEO, High Point Market Authority, and Jill Seale, textile and surface designer.

Furnishings showrooms and factories the students toured during this year’s summit included Bernhardt, Cohab Space, Feizy Rugs, Phillips Collection, PRB Collection, Universal Furniture, and Verellen Furniture.

In addition to the scholarships, the 2026 Future Designers Summit sponsors include Bernhardt, Currey & Company, Davis Furniture, D. Scott Coley Designs, Gary Inman Home Couture, Furniture World Magazine, High Point by Design (HPxD), IFDA Education Foundation, and Rock House Farms Family of Brands.

Sponsor contributions helped 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.