The College Raises $700,000 for Scholarships, Thanks to You!

On Tuesday, May 3, the New York School of Interior Design held its Gala 2022 at the University Club of New York, securing $700,000 for scholarships, a record-breaking number of funds raised at this annual event. It was the first in-person celebration for the NYSID community in more than two years. Gala 2022 resulted in $120,000 more scholarship funds than the last on-site gala, which was in 2020.  

Perhaps one reason for the exuberance of the crowd of 380 attendees were the evening’s outstanding honorees. NYSID awarded Jamie Drake, founder of Drake/Anderson, with the NYSID Centennial Medal. Former New York City mayor, philanthropist, and entrepreneur Michael Bloomberg introduced Drake. 

The incomparable design journalist Wendy Goodman introduced her friend Young Huh, principal and owner of Young Huh Interior Design, who was this year’s winner of the Larry Kravet Design Industry Leadership Award.  

NYSID president David Sprouls presented NYSID alumna Laura Hodges ’09 with the Rising Star Award, sponsored for the fourth year in a row by The Shade Store. Zach Gibbs, co-founder of The Shade Store, introduced Hodges.  

The evening’s student speaker, Chazzten Pettiford ’22 (MFA1), recipient of the Holland & Sherry Diversity in Design Scholarship and NYSID Diversity Scholarship, spoke out about why it can be so difficult for some BIPOC students to pursue careers in the arts and design. She said, “For many of us BIPOC students, the need to prioritize the attainment of generational wealth often demands that we set aside our personal goals and desires for whatever is the bigger, more dependable paycheck.” She spoke with emotion about what receiving the first of two scholarships meant to her: “At exactly the right moment, I had received a sign that I was truly on the right path, and I haven’t doubted myself since.”  

About the outpouring of generosity at Gala 2022, NYSID president David Sprouls said, “Some of these newcomers to our industry will be able to finish their degrees as a direct result of your donations .… Thank you from the bottom of my heart.” 

Save April 11 for Gala 2023   

Gala 2023 will take place on April 11, 2023. Please save the date. Suzanne Tucker will be honored with the Albert Hadley Lifetime Achievement Award. John Edelman, D.F.A (h.c.) ‘22 will be honored with The Larry Kravet Design Industry Leadership Award. Alumna Peti Lau ‘11 (AAS) will be honored with the Rising Star Award. We hope you’ll join us again for this night that celebrates outstanding accomplishments in interior design, and the best of what our industry can be.