App State has received a $333,000 gift from La-Z-Boy Foundation, establishing an endowed professorship in the Department of Applied Design, which is housed in App State’s College of Fine and Applied Arts. Pictured, from left to right, are App State Interim Vice Chancellor of University Advancement Will Sears, App State Acting Provost Neva J. Specht, La-Z-Boy Vice President of Human Resources Tim Solesbee ’83 and Acting College of Fine and Applied Arts Dean James Douthit. Photo by Chase Reynolds
BOONE, N.C. — Appalachian State University has received a $333,000 gift from La-Z-Boy Foundation to establish The La-Z-Boy Endowed Professorship in Applied Design in the College of Fine and Applied Arts.
The professorship will support a faculty member in the college’s Department of Applied Design, with a focus on furniture design or interior design.
“We are grateful for the support of industry leaders who understand the value of investing in higher education,” said Michael A. Rall, interim chair of the Department of Applied Design and associate professor of industrial design. “This partnership to support outstanding faculty benefits our students, fuels future innovations and contributes to the long-term success of the design industry.”
Empowering innovation in the furniture industry
La-Z-Boy Foundation’s recent gift builds on a long-standing legacy of support for the College of Fine and Applied Arts.
“The La-Z-Boy Foundation is pleased to partner with Appalachian State University to support their applied design program, which is critical to fueling future innovation in the furniture and design industry,” said Tim Solesbee ’83, vice president of human resources at La-Z-Boy.
La-Z-Boy Foundation has previously made numerous contributions to the college and Department of Applied Design through programmatic support funds, including the Furniture Design Program Fund, the Fine and Applied Arts Design Promotion Fund and the Furniture Industry Management Endowment.
Notably, La-Z-Boy Foundation also provided significant funding for the Lab for Innovative Design at Appalachian, which opened in 2020 and provides students in the Department of Applied Design with access to state-of-the-art resources and equipment, such as laser cutters and 3D printers.
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About the Department of Applied Design
One of seven departments housed in the College of Fine and Applied Arts, the Department Applied Design at Appalachian State University fosters excellence in design education, design research and professional placement. The department balances theoretical and pragmatic approaches while exploring an awareness of impact through design decisions on the global community. Faculty focus on a holistic approach to creative problem-solving by integrating sustainability and ethical responsibility in teaching and practice. The department offers bachelor’s degrees in apparel design and merchandising, industrial design and interior design. Learn more at https://design.appstate.edu.
About the College of Fine and Applied Arts
Appalachian State University’s College of Fine and Applied Arts is a dynamic and innovative group of seven academic departments, bringing together a variety of perspectives, experiences and real-world education to provide unique opportunities for student success. The college has more than 3,500 undergraduate and graduate majors. Its departments are Applied Design, Art, Communication, Military Science and Leadership, Sustainable Development, Sustainable Technology and the Built Environment, and Theatre and Dance. Learn more at https://cfaa.appstate.edu.
About University Advancement
Appalachian State University’s Division of University Advancement supports and encourages the university’s mission by engaging alumni, friends and the greater community. University Advancement staff help connect these constituents with Appalachian through one-on-one contact and special programming, thereby securing the resources necessary to create the best possible learning environment for Appalachian students and to positively impact the community, region and state. The division incorporates the offices of Alumni Affairs, Development and the Appalachian State University Foundation Inc. Learn more at http://give.appstate.edu.
About Appalachian State University
As a premier public institution, Appalachian State University prepares students to lead purposeful lives. App State is one of 17 campuses in the University of North Carolina System, with a national reputation for innovative teaching and opening access to a high-quality, affordable education for all. The university enrolls more than 21,000 students, has a low student-to-faculty ratio and offers more than 150 undergraduate and 80 graduate majors at its Boone and Hickory campuses and through App State Online. Learn more at https://www.appstate.edu.
