Renowned interior designer, recently granted an honorary Doctor of Fine Arts by New York School of Interior Design, honored with a named scholarship program

New York, New York – October 29, 2019 – The New York School of Interior Design (NYSID) announced a new scholarship established in honor of renowned interior designer Nate Berkus. Created to celebrate Berkus’s commitment to socially conscious charitable work and design, this endowed scholarship will be awarded to a deserving student at NYSID who is pursuing a course of study with a demonstrated emphasis on improving the human condition and advancing fellowship through the built environment.

“I couldn’t be more excited about this opportunity for a deserving student at the New York School of Interior Design,” says Nate Berkus. “I believe that a successful career in design is rooted in passion, but passion alone is not enough. By giving these deserving Berkus Scholars financial aid at the very beginning of their careers, we’re able to offer a gift beyond measure: the ability to follow their dreams and to change the world through good design.”

New York School of Interior Design Trustee Kelly M. Williams, who is endowing the scholarship through The Williams Legacy Foundation, says:

“Our students have extraordinary gifts, and New York School of Interior Design has the expertise, the ability and the capacity to cultivate those gifts to their greatest effect. Good design is greater than the skills you can learn in the classroom or those scaffolded by internships and on-the-job experience. The Williams Legacy Foundation is committed to supporting programs which promote and foster fellowship and we believe that the type of inspired design evidenced in the work of Nate Berkus demonstrates the impact that design can have in providing comfort and solace to those who dwell within.

Just think of the design of a soup kitchen or a healthcare facility: good design has the ability to change the experience of those who come to these spaces in a state of crisis. Good design, design practiced by those selected to be Berkus Scholars, can encourage community and sanctuary for those who most need it. That is the power of design to transform the world, and that is the power that future designers hold.”

New York School of Interior Design President David Sprouls says:

“NYSID is proud to offer this scholarship to a future group of scholars and design leaders. Since our founding more than 100 years ago, the New York School of Interior Design has worked diligently to provide a top-quality education, and the rate of graduates working in the field or pursuing further studies (rates approaching 100% for both undergraduate and graduate students), show that our commitment to students has paid off. We believe that education is an investment that pays dividends for students. Unfortunately, that investment is out of reach for some, and programs like Berkus Scholars will assist as we close the gap between those who can afford education and those who can most benefit from it. We’re deeply grateful to Kelly M. Williams, and Nate Berkus for their support and their commitment to bettering society through design.” 

Each awardee will be selected from the class of full-time undergraduate Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) junior and senior students (12+ credit hours per semester) or a 3rd-year Master of Fine Arts (MFA) graduate student. Awardees will form a class of Berkus Scholars who, together, will represent NYSID’s commitment to the future of the Interior Design profession and its impact. Rooted in the College’s values, Berkus Scholars will form a collegial core with a foundation refining and improving the quality of life in the built environment.  

About The New York School of Interior Design

The New York School of Interior Design is a private, nonprofit college focused exclusively on interior design. The college offers certificate, undergraduate, and graduate programs for students at all stages of their careers—whether they’re just becoming familiar with the discipline, considering a career change, or looking to deepen knowledge in a particular area. Consistently ranked one of the top interior design programs in the United States, students study both residential and commercial interior design, some with specialties in sustainable design, lighting, and healthcare interiors. NYSID students enjoy a small class size and sharp focus, a great deal of personal attention from dedicated faculty, and they go on to practice at the highest levels of the profession. To learn more, visit NYSID.edu.

About Nate Berkus

Since designer Nate Berkus established his award-winning interior design firm at the age of 24, his approachable and elevated philosophy has transformed countless homes around the world through his design work, home collections, books, television shows and media appearances. Ever since Berkus’ first appearance on The Oprah Winfrey Show in 2002, he has become one of the world’s most recognizable interior designers. His work has been featured in publications including Architectural Digest, House Beautiful, VOGUE, InStyle, O Magazine and People. He is included on the ELLE DÉCOR “A-List” of the world’s top designers and was named to the AD100 list in 2018. His popular product lines include a bed and bath collection sold at Target, a fabric line at JoAnn Fabric & Craft Stores, and a roller shade collection for The Shade Store. He serves as Creative Advisor for Framebridge, a custom framing company, and is Travel Ambassador for Celebrity Cruises and their new class of ship, the “Celebrity Edge,” launching in fall 2018. He has authored two New York Times bestselling books: Home Rules (2005) and The Things That Matter (2012), and in 2011 he served as Executive Producer of the Oscar winning film, The Help. Audiences followed Berkus through his own television shows, the daily-syndicated The Nate Berkus Show and 2014’s American Dream Builders (NBC). Nate + Jeremiah for Living Spaces, an upholstery collection with the California based retailer, launches in Fall 2018. Their show, Nate and Jeremiah By Design, premiered on TLC in 2017 and returned for a third season on April 13, 2019. To learn more about Nate Berkus, please visit nateberkus.com.

About The Williams Legacy Foundation

The Williams Legacy Foundation was established by Kelly Williams as an independent charitable organization that utilizes a dynamic approach to philanthropy to support effective programs, innovative partnerships and investments designed to further opportunities for women, minorities and underserved communities and to help promote fellowship and constructive engagement in order to strengthen and empower communities.

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