New York, NY - March 27, 2009 - New York School of Interior Design (NYSID) will be celebrating the inauguration of its sixth president, Dr. Christopher John Cyphers, with a formal inauguration ceremony on Friday, April 17, 2009. There will be a series of special events organized throughout the week, designed to reflect the inaugural theme, “Educating a Green Generation.” The theme was chosen to emphasize the college’s ongoing commitment to sustainability in its curriculum and practices.

The installation ceremony will serve as the official recognition of Dr. Cyphers’ entrance into the nation’s academic leadership as well as an opportunity for NYSID to look ahead to its future while honoring its traditions. The ceremony will include greetings from Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Assemblyman Jonathan Bing. Delegates from area colleges and universities will be part of the academic procession.

Dr. Cyphers will be presented with a presidential medallion, designed by the renowned architect and designer Michael Graves, as a symbol of responsibility. He will also be presented with a ceremonial mace—an ornamental staff that symbolizes the office of the president—designed by NYSID faculty member René Estacio as a torch of knowledge in fluted bronze with a flame finial. The gilt finishing on the flame finial was done by Dean Barger, another NYSID faculty member.

"This is a very exciting time to be a trustee of the New York School of Interior Design,” said Alexander C. Cortesi, Chairman of the NYSID Board. “During the first academic year of his presidency, Chris Cyphers has energized the entire NYSID community in striving for new levels of institutional excellence."

Dr. Cyphers has set an ambitious and far-reaching agenda since he took office in August 2008. His plans, outlined in the first-ever strategic plan, keep pace with the rapidly changing discipline and include developing new undergraduate and graduate degree programs, acquiring additional space, creating a more formal fundraising apparatus, and creating a new corporate identity program, including a completely redesigned website.

“This is a time of great opportunity for NYSID to truly lead the design discipline at the theoretical, pedagogical, and practice levels,” said Dr. Cyphers. “We have a chance to be out in front of discussions about the practice of developing new ways of thinking about the interior environment from the perspective of universal access, the psychosocial relationship to the built world, and, of course, the absolute necessity of sustainability. All of this is codified in the creation of new degree programs, an institute for continuing and professional studies, public programming, and a planned center for sustainable design.” Cyphers further noted that “realizing these strategic goals will require us all to embrace a measure of change in how we think about the education of designers and how we conduct business—both of which depart from the old paradigm.”

Inaugural Events
Wednesday, April 15, 12 noon & 6 pm
Open House for Prospective Students
New York School of Interior Design, Arthur King Satz Auditorium
RSVP to admissions@nysid.edu or 212-472-1500, ext. 204

Wednesday, April 15, 7 pm
Reception for NYSID Students and Alumni
New York School of Interior Design, 69th Street Gallery
By invitation only

Thursday, April 16, 6 pm
Lecture by Judith Gura – Interior Motives: Designing a Design School
Design historian and NYSID faculty member Judith Gura will provide an illustrated history of the New York School of Interior Design, highlighting key events in the early years of the college.
New York School of Interior Design, Arthur King Satz Auditorium
Free and open to the public; RSVP to rsvp@nysid.edu or 212-472-1500, ext. 405

Friday, April 17, 3pm
Inauguration of Christopher J. Cyphers
Asia Society; by invitation only

Friday, April 17, 4:30 pm
Inaugural Reception and Green Design Award and Exhibition
Cook + Fox Architects will be receiving an award for their commitment to sustainable design.
New York School of Interior Design, Arthur King Satz Auditorium
By invitation only

Saturday, April 18, 10am – 2pm
Art and Design Book Fair
New and gently used books on interior design and architecture will be on sale at reduced prices.
New York School of Interior Design, Whiton Gallery
Free and open to the public

Wednesday, April 22, 6 pm (Earth Day)
Lecture by David Oakey: Respect for the Future
The Sally Henderson Memorial Lecture on Green Design
Sustainable-design expert David Oakey will provide an in-depth overview of how nature can become a mentor for design and trace his transition from questioning the sustainability movement nearly a decade ago to becoming a leader in sustainable design.
New York School of Interior Design, Arthur King Satz Auditorium
Free and open to the public; RSVP to rsvp@nysid.edu or 212-472-1500, ext. 405

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Founded in 1916, the New York School of Interior Design (NYSID) is New York’s only private, not-for-profit college devoted exclusively to interior design education and related disciplines. NYSID’s guiding principle is that the interior environment is a fundamental element of human welfare and the college is committed to actively improving the quality of life for all segments of humanity. This ideal is put into practice by a dedicated faculty of well-known designers, architects, art historians, and authorities in the field who guide a diverse student body of over 700 full-and part-time students.

NYSID offers certificate, undergraduate, and graduate programs in the field of interior design. The college is an accredited institutional member of the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD) and NYSID’s BFA is accredited by the Council for Interior Design Accreditation (CIDA).

www.nysid.edu