SearStone Visit

From left to right, LeeAnn Burkhart, Meredith Allen, Instructor Lisa Sears, Amber goodman, Monique Chouinard, Chelsea Rush, Janell Voigt, Ashley Spainhour, Anne Barnhart, and Joesph LaVallee

Congratulations to our Graduates

Congratulations to our 2011 Graduating Class! You did it! The Interior Design Program is extremly proud of your accomplishments!

Alex Hoover
Misty Eagle
Emily Chandler
Savannah Chappell
Kerri Beth Frazier
Sallie Sullivan
Amarinh Kongmanivong
Claire Albright
Jordan Pearman
Betty Kelly

Gallery Viewing

Please Join us in Celebrating the Interior Design Graduates

Portfolio Viewing and Reception

Monday, May 9, 2011

5:00-7:00

RCC Design Center's Main Gallery

Light refreshments will be served

Portfolios will be on display Wednesday, May 4th - Monday, May 9th

Hello from Holly! A message from your Program Head

Hello! I wanted to make you aware that we have new student bloggers! As part of a class project, the first year students are required to design and write to a blog on a weekly basis. Students will give followers updates on class projects, design trends and inspiration for your current project.

Our new first year student bloggers are link listed to the right. Be sure to check it out!

ASHEBORO (February 15, 2011) - Randolph County Emergency Services now has a detailed plan for expansion of its 9-1-1 Call Center and a local engaged couple and their builder obtained some great ideas for the renovation of an old family home thanks to the efforts of Randolph Community College's Interior Design students in the first year of a student/community project called the Randolph County Design Initiative.

"The students had the chance to work with a live client and gain real world experience," said Holly Barker, program head and instructor for the Commercial Design II (DES 241) class that tackled the job of redesigning and planning the expansion of Randolph County's 911 Call Center and administrative offices on North Fayetteville Street. The Interior Design program solicited applicants last spring for both a commercial and residential project to complete during the fall semester.

The nine Commercial Design students visited the Call Center to interview their clients, take measurements, and make sketches before beginning the project. Then, in mid December, they presented a floor plan, elevation drawings of new office space, perspective drawings of a new conference room, fabric and finishing choices, and a proposed budget to the Emergency Services personnel.

"We were blown away. They exceeded our expectations," said Justine Buxton, technology officer for Randolph County Emergency Services, about the results. "The presentation was superb," agreed Donovan Davis, director of emergency services. The organization will incorporate many of the students’ ideas when they move forward with the project in the next fiscal year, he noted.

"If we had the funds, we would probably do it exactly as it was proposed," Buxton said. "We were so pleased with every detail of the design. But because of the budget, we will have to do it a little bit at a time."

Ann Smith-Palenchar, instructor for the Residential Design II (DES 231) class, said they did not initially receive any applications for the residential design project. So she contacted the Board of Realtors and some Randolph County builders, who eventually put her in contact with Tim Garris at Garris Design Construction in Asheboro. Garris had recently taken on a project to renovate a 1949 home in the Greystone area for engaged couple Vicki Moss and Jay Councilman and felt the students might benefit from the experience.

"My students had the opportunity to work with both a contractor and a client…to actually experience the process of design," said Smith-Palenchar. Garris came to the group's CAD lab with his original drawings and the students were able to ask questions and make suggestions. "The students made very good use of the available technological resources," said Garris. "They displayed a very high level of professionalism in their presentations. I was very impressed with the quality of the ideas."

The students also interviewed Moss, who was attempting to combine two households of furnishings and styles into one. "My goal was not to have to buy any new furniture," said Moss. The students created nine different designs and presented them to the contractor and client. They provided Moss with a project book that showed space plans, materials, furniture placement, elevations, budgetary considerations, and even where to purchase items. "They really did a great job," said Moss. "I'm a retired educator so I know it is a really great opportunity for students to have a hands-on learning experience." Now when she has to make a decision about the renovation, whether it is about cabinets or counters or paint, she just pulls out the project book and has plenty of choices. She hopes the house renovations will be completed before the end of the spring semester so the students will be able to see their work realized.

The students were happy with the projects as well. "I learned more about color coordinating and meeting the client's needs," said student Kerri Beth Frazier of Sophia. "Working with a live client when you can talk back and forth helps a lot in the learning process." Sallie Sullivan, an Interior Design student from Pittsboro, said, "We were given a specific budget and that was helpful for us to gain knowledge of working within a budget and not to exceed that amount."

"The goal of the Randolph County Design Initiative is to actively promote the College in the community, support the success of our students, and establish community partnerships," said Barker. The department is now soliciting applicants for the 2011 projects.

To be eligible for the free design services, you must be a property owner in Randolph County; both residential and nonresidential interior spaces will be considered. The owner must be available to meet with the Interior Design Program. For more details on the 2011 project, eligibility, the application, and the selection process, go to www.randolph.edu/interiordesign/initiative.php. The application deadline is May 1, 2011, for the design projects that will be completed during the fall 2011 semester.

-END-

CUTLINES:

ID_ResidentialClass:
Randolph Community College Interior Design students (from left) Kerri Beth Frazier, Sallie Sullivan, Emily Chandler, Amarinh Kongmanivong, Misty Eagle, Chelsea Haga, Alex Hoover, and Savannah Chappell show some of the presentation boards they created for their residential client as part of the Randolph County Design Initiative.

ID_Commercial Design:
Students in Randolph Community College's Commercial Design II class pose with Donovan Davis, director, Justine Buxton, technology officer, and other personnel from Randolph County Emergency Services after presenting their design for the renovation and expansion of the 9-1-1 Call Center and administrative offices on North Fayetteville Street.

Barker Selected for President's Leadership Academy

ASHEBORO (January 31, 2011) ‑ Seven Randolph Community College employees have been chosen for the first President's Educational Leadership Academy at RCC, one of President Robert S. Shackleford's initiatives for the 2010‑2011 school year.

Chosen for the Academy, which is designed to help prepare them for positions of increased responsibility, were Holly Barker, program head/instructor, Interior Design; Dean Beck, director of student counseling; Amanda Byrd, dean of basic skills; Melinda Eudy, department chair for Arts and Science Division/math instructor; Cindi Goodwin, director of facilities; Brandi Hagerman, director of enrollment management/registrar; and Tara Williams, director of computer services/systems administrator.

"I wanted to create a leadership training experience that was unique, personal, intense, and practical," said Shackleford. "The goal is to help faculty and staff grow in their leadership skills and prepare them to assume expanded leadership positions within the College, whether on College committees or other avenues." The Academy is built around a mentoring model. Participants will be involved in small group sessions, one‑on‑one mentoring sessions with Dr. Shackleford, and field experiences such as Board of Trustees' or County Commissioners' meetings.

Applicants are required to have completed one year of employment at RCC by the start of the session for which they are selected. Promotion is not an assured outcome of the Academy. However, this leadership training is intended to help participants become more effective leaders with more potential for increased leadership roles or responsibilities. Selection was based on a number of factors including evidence of leadership, leadership potential, representation from all areas of the College, as well as the nature of the applicant's job.

High Point furniture library names new curator

Furniture Today Staff -- Furniture Today, December 28, 2010

HIGH POINT — The Bernice Bienenstock Furniture Library here has named Karla Webb as its curator to succeed Carl Vuncannon, who has held the job for more than 25 years and will retire at the end of the year.

Webb, who holds an associate's degree in interior design from Randolph Community College, has worked with several furniture companies and has run her own design firm.

"Carl has been an invaluable administrator and curator," said Charles Sutton, chairman of the library's board. "He was chosen by Sandy Bienenstock because he possessed the skills and talents to run the library's varied operations. Besides the day-to-day working with library visitors, Internet queries and industry liaison, Carl has been responsible for our book sales during the spring and fall (High Point) markets.

"He is widely respected for his hard work and dedication. We will continue to call on Carl for his counsel and assistance. We do wish him and his wife, Evelyn, the very best," Sutton said.

The Bernice Bienenstock Furniture Library is a research and design library used by the public, design professionals, architects, students and educators.

In photo:
Karla Webb, left, is the new curator of the Bernice Bienenstock Furniture Library, succeeding Carl Vuncannon, who is retiring after more than 25 years.