Awards and Honors: October 2024
Six High Point University interior design students were invited to attend the Bienenstock Furniture Library’s fourth annual Future Designers Summit, held Sept. 11-13. Pictured from left are Bienenstock Library Executive Director Karla Jones with Arianna Repack holding the $5,000 Broyhill Family Foundation scholarship check, and designer Christy Spangle.
HIGH POINT, N.C., Oct. 18, 2024 – High Point University students, faculty and staff recently completed service projects and received the following academic and professional awards.
Interior Design Student Awarded Scholarship at Future Designers Summit
Six HPU interior design students were among 34 students from 12 colleges and universities who were invited to attend the Bienenstock Furniture Library’s fourth annual Future Designers Summit, held Sept. 11-13.
At the event’s end, Arianna Repack, a junior interior design major from Columbus, New Jersey, was awarded the $5,000 Broyhill Family Foundation Scholarship for interior design. She said it will significantly support her studies and future career in interior design.
“This unforgettable experience offered valuable insights and knowledge into the design industry,” Repack said. “The lessons I learned in marketing, design processes and networking not only boosted my confidence but have laid a strong foundation for my journey into the world of interior design.”
The annual Future Designers Summit offers students an immersive three-day educational and networking experience. HGTV design personality Hilary Farr and holistic interior design expert Gala Magrina presented keynote addresses. Interior designers Christy Spangle and Nancy Fire also shared their personal stories and advice on navigating the design world.
“The opportunity to engage with industry professionals and gain insight into the business side of the field was truly invaluable,” said Brianna Rapaccioli, a senior interior design major from New Rochelle, New York. “As someone who deeply values building connections, this summit allowed me to network with new people and explore diverse career paths that stem from studying interior design. This unforgettable experience has not only broadened my perspective but also reinforced my passion for pursuing a career in this industry.”
Mary Kate Hewitt, a senior interior design major from Hamden, Connecticut, also was inspired by the Future Designers Summit. She said hearing Farr, HGTV’s “Love It or List It” star, discuss her career path and how she got into the design world was amazing.
“Throughout my three years within the Interior Design Program, I have taken part in the departmental honors program, which has allowed me to complete an independent study on healthcare design and the ways in which a design can have a physical impact on the patients and physicians within the space,” Hewitt said. “Getting to hear firsthand from a professional who specializes in this research allowed me to have more confidence going forth in the future with all I want to do in my design career.”
Pharmacy Professor Awarded Among 2024 Heroes of Chemistry
Dr. Kent Stewart, interim chair and associate professor of basic pharmaceutical sciences in HPU’s Fred Wilson School of Pharmacy, was one of 25 scientists the American Chemical Society recognized with a 2024 Heroes of Chemistry team award on Oct. 10 in Washington, D.C.
Stewart worked with a team of scientists at the pharmaceutical firm AbbVie to develop the drug Rinvoq, or upadacitinib, an oral JAK inhibitor that treats certain immune-mediated diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis or Crohn’s disease.
To find the molecule with the right attributes, the team synthesized, characterized and tested about 1,700 analogs before finding upadacitinib. The drug is approved in more than 70 countries for effective use across rheumatology, dermatology and gastroenterology therapeutic areas.
“Being part of a drug discovery team whose work leads to an FDA-approved drug doesn’t happen very often in someone’s life, so this is an honor for the scientists, the clinicians and the patients who are in need,” Stewart said. “Importantly, I can now share this drug discovery story while teaching our HPU students.”
The Heroes of Chemistry Awards are prestigious awards for industrial chemical scientists and engineers and act as a scientific hall of fame for materials, drugs and other products of chemistry that contribute to the betterment of humankind. The American Chemical Society has inducted awardees into this hall of fame since 1996.
Nursing School Dean to Chair N.C. Board of Nursing
Dr. Racquel Ingram, a registered nurse and founding dean of HPU’s Teresa B. Caine School of Nursing, has been elected to chair the North Carolina Board of Nursing for a second year.
“I am deeply honored to chair the North Carolina Board of Nursing for a second term,” Ingram said. “With approximately 28 years of nursing experience, I understand the critical role our board plays in protecting public safety through informed, strategic decision-making. I look forward to working alongside my fellow board members to uphold the high standards of our profession while ensuring safe, quality healthcare for our communities.”
Under her guidance, the Caine School of Nursing has achieved a remarkable 100% NCLEX pass rate, setting a standard of excellence. Her vision has laid a foundation of academic rigor, compassionate care and professional integrity that is shaping the future of nursing education at HPU.
In addition to her groundbreaking work at HPU, Ingram also serves as a National League of Nursing (NLN) LEAD Leadership representative, showcasing her commitment to elevating the standards of nursing practice and education at both the national and local levels. Her expertise in academic leadership has made her a vital contributor to shaping the landscape of nursing, preparing the next generation of nurse leaders to meet the needs of an ever-evolving healthcare environment.
Alumnus Completes National NF Ambassador Term
Kevin Martin, a Class of 2020 electronic media production major from New Rochelle, New York, is completing his tenure as the 2024 National Ambassador for Neurofibromatosis, a genetic disorder that causes tumors to grow in the nervous system and skin. Diagnosed with NF at age 2, Martin works at Disney Streaming in New York City.
“The role of National Ambassador is to show how, in spite of a life-threatening disease such as Neurofibromatosis, you can thrive and overcome the challenges that come with it,” Martin said. “During my tenure as National Ambassador, I’ve been the face of the Children’s Tumor Foundation at a number of different events, such as medical symposiums, national forums and social gatherings. I’ve had the privilege of meeting with medical professionals, patients, friends and family members, and have been able to share my story and hear the stories of others.”
Opening up and becoming vulnerable about his own medical issues has been a challenge for Martin since he was installed as an ambassador during the Children’s Tumor Foundation 45th Anniversary National Gala last year. Another challenge was seeing the impact NF has had on others, some whom have lost their battle. He found it rewarding when people have told him that hearing his story has given them hope for their children with NF.
“NF is a very personal journey for everyone affected by it,” Martin said. “Sharing each of our stories is vital to finding treatments and, eventually, finding a cure. Our experiences motivate everyone in the NF community, be it patients, doctors, friends and family, to donate money, lend their skills, treat patients and conduct research that will one day hopefully bring an end to NF.”
Martin works in content insertion for Disney Streaming, focusing on sporting events for ESPN+, Disney+ and Hulu, and coordinating with the onsite staff to ensure the streams run smoothly.
Martin’s family has been actively involved with the Children’s Tumor Foundation. When he was diagnosed, there were no NF treatments, his mother Linda Martin said. She was proud to see him learn to advocate for himself over recent years, and to see him speak on behalf of the larger NF community in his role as National Ambassador.
“Now there are some treatments, but only for a small number of the many different symptoms of NF—and there is still no cure,” she said. “Being involved with CTF has allowed us to be active participants in helping to change that. We stay updated on developments in the science and research, we can give back by helping raise funds and awareness, and we have built a community of friends and medical professionals who make it clear that none of us are in this fight alone.”
Interior Design Student Gains Publishing Credit
Shannon Spilman, a senior interior design major from Hunt Valley, Maryland, was published for the first time in Coastal Style magazine’s September/October edition. Coastal Style is a popular lifestyle magazine that covers the people, flavor and home designs of the Eastern Shore of Maryland.
Spilman is a Presidential Scholar and an active student member of the American Society of Interior Designers’ HPU Chapter. Her professional experience includes working in the Arteriors, Level 57 and Deljou home furnishings showrooms during the High Point Market and an internship at Mitchell’s Interiors in Selbyville, Delaware.
“Writing about interior design for a magazine has given me the opportunity to address the significance of design in people’s lives and to emphasize that it goes beyond just aesthetics,” Spilman said. “My goal and what drives my passion is using interior design to improve people’s daily lives. Sharing my ideas with a wider audience made me feel vulnerable, but it also gave me a sense of empowerment to have my voice and vision recognized by others outside of my own community.”
Spilman said writing for Coastal Style helped her reach a broader audience and make new connections for her career in design.
“Networking is a life skill that my interior design teachers at HPU have always emphasized the importance of, which is what led me to this opportunity and many others, such as internships and job offers post-graduation,” Spilman said.
HPU AmeriCorps VISTAs Win Award
The HPU AmeriCorps VISTAs (Volunteers in Service to America) recently received the Rooted in Community Award from the Greater High Point Food Alliance (GHPFA).
The annual award recognizes an organization, nonprofit, government agency or business that through creative solutions has led to the development of innovative solutions to food insecurity, resulting in sustainable community impact. It was presented on Sept. 19 during the GHPFA Food Summit at Congdon Yards.
“The Food Security VISTAs from High Point University have made a tremendous impact on food insecurity for a number of years,” said Rev. Carl Vierling, executive director of the GHPFA. “The VISTAs have worked with several organizations addressing food insecurity, including the GHPFA, High Point Farmers Market, Growing High Point, the city of High Point and Resilience High Point, to build capacity, improve efficiencies and provide nutrition education, building relationships, working with other collaborative partners and the securing of resources. Without the High Point University AmeriCorps VISTAs, we would not have made the progress that we have thus far.”