University of North Texas 
Interior Design: Alumni News, 2010–2020
Interior Design Alumni News Blog Entries, 2010-2020
Interior Design Student Awards
Year
Award Name
First Name Last Name
2025
The Voertman-Ardoin Scholarships in Art
Alejandra Briones
The Anita and Kevin Moran Scholarship
Drew Collins
The Voertman-Ardoin Scholarships in Art
Abriana Flint
The Anita and Kevin Moran Scholarship
Reagan Hamilton
The Voertman-Ardoin Scholarships in Art
Celia Johannes
The Lucile Ayres Payne Scholarship in Interior Design
Bokyeong Kim
The Robert W. Milnes Endowed Scholarship for the College
of Visual Arts and Design
Hanna Lehti
The Voertman-Ardoin Scholarships in Art
Lani Manzano
The Mozelle Rawson Brown Scholarship in Visual Arts
Hannah Matthews
The Georgia and Ray Gough Scholarship in Ceramics
and/or Interior Design
Hannah Matthews
The Tony and Linda Altermann Scholarship Endowment for
Visual Arts
Natalie McCune
The Voertman-Ardoin Scholarships in Art
Natalie McCune
The Voertman-Ardoin Scholarships in Art
Maria Suarez
The Voertman-Ardoin Scholarships in Art
Samantha Westbrook
The Voertman-Ardoin Scholarships in Art
Galen Yoshinobu
The Gensler Endowed Scholarship in Interior Design
Penney Zhang
2024
The Austin & Katherine Adams Scholarship in Communication and Interior Design
Diana Guitierrez
The Gensler Endowed Scholarship in Interior Design
Amanda Emiliusen
The John Herron Scholarship in Interior Design
Mollie Taylor
The Lucile Ayres Payne Scholarship in Interior Design
Cassidy Petito
The President's Council Scholarship
Bokyeong Kim
The Bradley Edward Sterling Memorial Scholarship
Jayla Aldridge
The Voertman-Ardoin Scholarships in Art
Jayla Aldridge
The Voertman-Ardoin Scholarships in Art
Ellis Ernsberger
The Voertman-Ardoin Scholarships in Art
Bokyeong Kim
The Voertman-Ardoin Scholarships in Art
Natalie McCune
The Voertman-Ardoin Scholarships in Art
Wei Sun
The Voertman-Ardoin Scholarships in Art
Samantha Tovar
2023
The Austin & Katherine Adams Scholarship in
Communication and Interior Design
Jayla Aldridge
The Gensler Endowed Scholarship in Interior Design
Jenna Saladino
The Georgia and Ray Gough Scholarship in Ceramics
and/or Interior Design
Cassidy Petito
The John Herron Scholarship in Interior Design
Zariah Caldwell
The Anita and Kevin Moran Scholarship
Isabella Harward
The Lucile Ayres Payne Scholarship in Interior Design
Amy Zuniga
The Voertman-Ardoin Scholarships in Art
Liseth Muniz
The Voertman-Ardoin Scholarships in Art, The Mozelle Rawson Brown Scholarship in Visual
Arts, The Bradley Edward Sterling Memorial Scholarship
Ngan Ho
Feb. 20, 2020
Feb. 11-13: Jeannine Vail, left, senior project architect, UNT Facilities Design and Construction, and Cheryl Smith, CVAD ID alumna and facilities planner, UNT Office of Facilities Planning, Design
and Construction, visited the Senior Space Planning V studio for the students' Preliminary
Design Presentations. Everyone appreciated their feedback and guidance.
Feb. 10, 2020
UNT Interior Design Student Won First Prize from IIDA Design Competition
Congratulations on UNT Interior Design student achievement in IIDA Shift 2020!
UNT Interior Design student Amy New's team won First Prize in the Design Charrette at the IIDA Shift 2020 Student Conference. Participation in this design competition is by invitation only for students of active IIDA Campus Centers.
New shared her experience with the charrette and conference. At the IIDA shift, I was given the amazing opportunity to participate in the 2020 charrette. It was a great learning experience and an excellent way to exercise design skills and collaboration. Each team was meant to have 4 members, but ours had only three, which added an extra challenge for us. The way that we approached the design challenge was by first finding inspiration, second figuring out the program, and third choosing materials and aesthetics for the space. This provided a structure for us to make sure we completed everything. Charrettes are wonderful experiences, and every designer should try to participate in one if they have the chance! I am very thankful for having achieved a win with my teammates in such a huge pool of amazing designers and posters. Can't wait for next year!"
The IIDA SHIFT 2020 conference was held from Jan. 29-31, 2020, in Dallas. This annual conference is designed to elevate the profession of Interior Design and lead the way for the next generation of interior designers. UNT Interior Design program has been supporting students to participate in the conference for them to be involved in a variety of events that are designed to enhance their knowledge of the practice and influence of Interior Design through presentations and conversations with practicing professionals.
Nov. 10, 2020
ID Alum Mentor, Zach Weihrich, for Senior Student Projects
On Oct. 24, 2020, Zach Weihrich, CVAD ID alum and Interior Designer with IA Interior Architects in Dallas, visited the ADES 4630 Space Planning IV senior studios to critique the students' Design Development presentations. Weihrich and the IA Architects have been mentors for our class this semester, providing a site for the class to visit and field inventory, the documentation for their base building drawings, and previous critiques on their tenant development projects.
Oct. 24, 2019 Update
Interior Design Alumni Reunion
Interior Design Alumni Reunion
The Interior Design program held an Alumni Reunion during the CVAD Grand Opening on Oct. 12, 2019. It was a great turnout and a wonderful event for our alumni, faculty, and students to meet together in our new facilities. Among many activities, the program demonstrated Virtual Reality, showcased our students' work, and recognized our outstanding alumni. Thank you all for your participation and support.
Interior Design Alumni Reunion
Alumni Reunion Photos — Virtual Reality Presentation & Demonstration
Sept. 24, 2019
CVAD Grand Opening Celebration for the new & renovated Art Building
The CVAD Grand Opening is scheduled for Oct. 12. Please join the celebration and share this with all your classmates and alumni.
CVAD Grand Opening of the UNT Art Building
Oct. 12, 2019, 1–4 p.m.
1201 W. Mulberry St., Denton, TX 76201
Parking is free in Lot 50
The Interior Design program is located on the second floor of the newly renovated Art Building, rooms 255, 258, 260 and 265. We are looking forward to seeing you there.
Invitation to the Grand Opening Event
Dec. 21, 2018
Alumni Club Design Associates Featured in the BoardRoom Magazine
ClubDesign Associates, owned by UNT Interior Design alumnus John R. Cochran, is featured as the "2018 Clubhouse Design Firm of the Year" and "2018 Interior Design Lounge Seating & Bar Area" in the BoardRoom Magazine.
BoardRoom magazine is the only publication of its kind that is designed to educate the board of directors, owners, general managers and department heads of private golf, city, yacht, tennis and country clubs about issues concerning all aspects of the club, golf course management and operations.
John R. Cochran, President
ClubDesign Associates
Fort Worth - Palm Desert - Scottsdale - Beverly Hills
www.clubdesignassociates.com
Feb. 11, 2015
Interior Design Practitioners: Earn HSW Credits at 2015 IDEC's Annual Conference
This year's IDEC conference includes several presentations that qualify interior design
practitioners to earn Health, Safety and Welfare Continuing Education Unit credits.
Registration is closed.
July 31, 2013
Alumna Neely Shirey passes the NCIDQ Exam
Congratulations! UNT Interior Design program alumna Neely Prestemon Shirey, who graduated in 2009, has passed the NCIDQ exam.
July 29, 2013
UNT Interior Design Alumni Group Meeting
A group of UNT Interior Design alumnae held an organizational meeting on July 27,
2013, at the UNT Art Building. The group explored the possibilities of supporting
current students and graduates and identified key representatives to serve on a steering
committee. They were very enthusiastic about supporting the UNT Interior Design program
and enjoyed being on campus.
June 20, 2013
UNT Alums' Project Featured in Interior Design Magazine
Congratulations to Christopher Goggin, design director, and Stephen Walsh, interior designer, two UNT Interior Design alums with Gensler Dallas, on the publication
of their project for TM Advertising in Interior Design.
June 16, 2012
UNT Alumni Won the Texas Society of Architects Award
Congratulations! Gensler's design team, including two UNT Interior Design alumni, won a Texas Society of Architects award for their TM Advertising entry. Thirteen projects were selected for the 2012 Texas Society of Architects Design Awards from a total of 227 entries. Winning projects will be featured in the Sept/Oct issue of Texas Architect magazine.
Project Team Members
Cindy Simpson, principal
Christopher Goggin, design director, lead designer and UNT alumnus
Glenn Isenmann, project architect
Stephen Walsh, designer, UNT alumnus
March 22, 2012
UNT Research Magazine features Brent Arnold's Senior Capstone Project
Brent Arnold graduated in 2011, and his project was an online interactive experience featuring
images, documents and the step-by-step process for transforming a space. He worked
with Treetops School International on ways to make a space function as a gym, auditorium
and classroom.
Arnold, who was mentored by Johnnie Stark, associate professor of design, was named Outstanding Senior in Interior Design for 2012.
Sept. 28, 2010
Haley Laurence Awarded the 2010 Volunteer of the Year
Alumna Haley Laurence was named the 2010 Volunteer of the Year by Preservation Dallas and interviewed by NT Daily, the UNT student news publication. Preservation Dallas is a nonprofit organization dedicated to protecting and restoring Dallas buildings. Haley Laurence's interest in architectural buildings and historical landmarks motivated her to help save important aspects of Dallas.
Sept. 2, 2010
Alumna Joanna Jackson became the Head of the LEED Residential and Commercial Department at Elaine Williamson Designs
Alumna Joanna Jackson was recently named the head of the LEED Residential and Commercial Department at Elaine Williamson Designs. Elaine Williamson Designs is located in the Frisco-Plano area.
Aug. 14, 2010
Alumna Haley Laurence Named 2010 Volunteer of the Year by Preservation Dallas
Preservation Dallas names alumna Haley Laurence as Volunteer of the Year for 2010. Preservation Dallas is a private, nonprofit organization
dedicated to the preservation and revitalization of Dallas' buildings, neighborhoods
and other historical, architectural, and cultural resources.
July 21, 2010
Alumna Christina Masters Earns LEED Green Associate Credential
Alumna Christina Masters, who graduated in May 2010, passed the LEED Green Associate exam. For professionals
who want to demonstrate green building expertise in non-technical fields of practice,
the Green Building Certification Institute has created the LEED Green Associate credential,
which denotes basic knowledge of green design, construction, and operations.
May 18, 2010
Veronica Benavides Featured on Univision and Star-Telegram Credit
Veronica Benavides, a 2010 graduate with an Interior Design major, featured on Univision
Spanish-language TV news station about graduating with her mother, Sandra, on May
15, 2010.
April 27, 2010
Alumna Shaina Hedlund now offers Photography of Artwork & Events
Alumna Shaina Hedlund expands her career as a photographer. Shaina Hedlund Photography
provides photography of engagements, seniors, model portfolios, kiddos, families,
headshots, bands, live shows, and graduates. Ms. Hedlund's recent work and more information
are available on her blog.
March 3, 2010
Alumna Shukchi Wong Featured as IIDA STF Member
Alumna Shukchi Wong is featured as one of the Student Task Force members of the International
Interior Design Association. STF members are enthusiastic IIDA Student Members who
exhibit strong leadership, creativity and collaborative skills. STF members demonstrate
a willingness to take their membership one step further by acting as a representative
for the IIDA student membership at large.
Sept. 15, 2009
Congratulations to our newest NCIDQ Certificate Holders
We are very proud of our alumni who passed the NCIDQ Exam. The NCIDQ Examination is
a professional competency exam for interior design. The NCIDQ Exam is recognized by
all U.S. states and Canadian provinces that regulate the profession. Exam candidates
who meet NCIDQ's eligibility requirements and pass all exam sections are awarded the
NCIDQ Certificate.
2006 Alumnae
Elissa Shipp and Maike Cheng
2007 Alumnae
Anna Watson and Charran James