VCU professor is first recipient of the Interior Design Educator of Distinction Award

By Malorie Burkett

Buie Harwood, Virginia Commonwealth University professor of Interior Design, is the first recipient of the Educator of Distinction Award from the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID).

Harwood, was recognized for her contributions to the interior design profession and her work to enhance career path standards affecting the quality and excellence of future designers. ASID officials said Harwood has set the standard for anyone following in her footsteps.

Last year, Harwood and her co-authors of the book, "Architecture and Interior Design through the 18th Century," were honored with the 2002 ASID Education Foundation/Joel Polsky Prize. She is working on a follow-up publication, "Architecture and Interior Design, 19th Century to the Present: An Integrated History."

A resident of Richmond, Harwood has published numerous articles and papers with an emphasis on the standards in the career path of an interior designer and on historic studies. She served as chair of VCU's Department of Interior Design from 1997 to 2003, during which she assisted with the development and implementation of the VCU-Qatar School of Design Arts. Interior design is one of three programs represented at VCU-Qatar, and Harwood served as department chair for both campuses. She received both her Master of Fine Arts and Bachelor of Fine Arts in interior design from Louisiana Tech University. Harwood also is a fellow of the Interior Design Educators Council and an honorary fellow of the American Society of Interior Designers.

ASID has more than 34,000 members and is comprised of practicing interior designers from all design specialties, design students and industry representatives through a variety of programs and services and a network of 48 chapters throughout the United States and Canada. For more information on ASID, visit www.asid.org.