New York, New York – February 21, 2019 – The New York School of Interior Design is pleased to announce that the New York City Section of the Illuminating Engineering Society (IESNYC) has selected Brigid Hardiman, a student in the Master of Professional Studies in Lighting Design (MPS-L) program, as the recipient of the fourth annual merit-based IESNYC Scholarship. The scholarship awards $25,000 to a full-time, graduate degree candidate in architectural lighting who is enrolled in an accredited college or university located in New York State.

"Being part of a community that is so supportive of education is amazing and to be a direct recipient of that support is incredibly inspiring,” says Hardiman. “I fully intend to pay it forward by guiding future generations of students through their own lighting journeys."

Hardiman graduated from the New York Institute of Technology in 2013 with a Bachelor of Science in Architectural Technology. She has worked as a lighting designer and specification coordinator at RAB Lighting, Celano Design Studios, and is currently employed at Lightcraft. She is also the co-chair of the IESNYC annual Student Lighting Competition, starting out as a member of the planning committee. Hardiman plans to take on an additional role as an educator in the future. She is expected to graduate August 2019.

“Brigid is a fantastic and well-deserving choice as recipient of the Scholarship,” said Shaun Fillion, director of the MPS-L program. “She has been an active volunteer for the Section for four years and has demonstrated leadership as the co-chair for the Student Lighting Competition. In her pursuit of her master’s degree in lighting design, she has shown enormous development in the art of lighting design. Brigid has put forth enormous efforts in her volunteerism and professional development, and I'm delighted that this award recognizes that.”

Hardiman was selected by the IESNYC Scholarship Committee including Mike Barr, MIES, Lutron, and Section vice-president; Pete Jacobson, MIES, Con Edison, member of the IESNYC Board of Managers; Addison Kelly, IALD, MIES, US Lighting Consultants; Caleb McKenzie, LC, IALDA, MIES, US Lighting Consultants, president of the IESNYC; and Brad Telias, MIES, Enterprise Lighting Sales, treasurer of the IESNYC.

This year, the IESNYC Scholarship Committee invited two guest judges Michael Mehl, director of LightBox Studios and Jackson Ning, principal and president of Kugler Ning Lighting Design to lend their expertise in selecting this year’s winner.

“Brigid Hardiman exemplifies the vision of the IESNYC Scholarship, and she meets and exceeds our criteria,” says McKenzie, chair of the Scholarship committee. “We were especially impressed with her determination to share her knowledge and help others. She is a shining example of a student who deserves the Section’s encouragement and support.”

The creation of the IESNYC Scholarship was initiated by McKenzie four years ago. The intention was that if the Section could help to relieve the economic burden of attending graduate school for even just one deserving student, it would be a worthy endeavor. In 2016, the Scholarship was wholeheartedly approved by the Section’s Board of Managers who feel it is a valuable investment in the future of the New York lighting community and a program that other IES sections could adopt. To date, the Scholarship is unprecedented in the history of the IES and represents the first time a Section in the Society has supported higher education to such an extent. 

The IESNYC has always been a strong voice for education within the lighting community. Supporting meritorious students is the Section’s way of inspiring the next generation of lighting professionals. In addition to the IESNYC Scholarship, the Section sponsors an annual Student Lighting Competition, awards annual Thesis Prizes, and administers the Richard Kelly Grant. 

About New York School of Interior Design
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 the IESNYC
About the IESNYC (www.iesnyc.org) is the New York City Section of the Illuminating Engineering Society.  The IESNYC is a volunteer professional membership organization whose members share a mutual appreciation for and fascination with, all things lighting. They are lighting designers, architects, engineers, consultants, lighting manufacturers, lighting representatives, electrical distributors and allied professionals. IESNYC members are dedicated to promoting the art and science of illumination engineering to their members, professionals, the lighting industry, and the public through inspiring events, informative programs and educational series, social outreach, and networking opportunity.  

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