Celia Moh scholars visit High Point Market

Home Accents Today Staff -- Home Accents Today, 11/8/2010 11:04:52 AM

This year's Celia Moh scholarship recipients toured the October High Point Market, visiting showrooms, networking and sharing insights on industry trends and opportunities.

The nine scholars attending the market were Brian Harris, Appalachian State University; Shannon Taylor, Jessica Henderson and Meaghan Leonard, High Point University; Will Eatmon and Trenton Huffines, North Carolina State University; Joseph Sadony IV, Kendall College of Art and Design; Martha Gray Deans Wharton, East Carolina University; and Rebecca Gibson, Mississippi State University. The only current Moh scholar unable to attend was Andrew Golombisky of Kendall College, who is currently interning with Theodore Alexander in Vietnam.

The group received a briefing on trends in social media, marketing and the press from Cheminne Taylor-Smith, vice president of marketing for the High Point Market Authority, and participated in a roundtable discussion about home furnishings. The visit also included a dinner at the String & Splinter Club attended by former Celia Moh scholars and scholarship committee members.

The scholarship program was created in 2001 by furniture entrepreneur Laurence Moh, the late founder of Universal Furniture and Fine Furniture Design, to honor his wife, Celia. The program provides full-tuition scholarships for students interested in pursuing careers in home furnishings. In addition to tuition, fees, books, room and board, the scholarships cover a trip to High Point.

"The annual tradition of bringing these scholars to market is a valuable experience for the students as well as for industry members," said Michael Moh, chairman of Fine Furniture Design and the son of Laurence and Celia Moh. "They represent the future of our industry, and the market is a great place for them to begin establishing relationships with key leaders."

Scholarship candidates are initially selected by faculty at eight participating schools - Appalachian State, High Point University, N.C. State, Kendall College, East Carolina, Mississippi State, Virginia Tech and Catawba Valley Community College.

To be selected, applicants must complete an extensive application questionnaire, write a personal essay, obtain instructors' recommendations and provide a college transcript illustrating exceptional academic achievement. Scholarship winners are chosen by a committee of industry executives. The students' majors range from furniture business management, marketing and merchandising to industrial engineering, furniture design, interior design and sustainable practices.

The program has provided nearly 60 full scholarships over the past nine years. For more information, visit www.mohscholarship.org.