Sources: Migette Kaup, 785-532-1317, kaup@k-state.edu;
and Jennifer Rettele-Thomas, 785-532-7592, jenniferr@found.ksu.edu
Photo available. Download at http://www.k-state.edu/media/newsreleases/mar11/Szenasy.jpg
News release prepared by: Jane Marshall, 785-532-1519, jpm2@k-state.edu

Tuesday, March 15, 2011

METROPOLIS EDITOR TO DELIVER KEYNOTE AT INTERIOR DESIGN STUDENT SYMPOSIUM

MANHATTAN -- The editor-in-chief of Metropolis magazine will present the seventh annual Kansas State University Interior Design Student Symposium keynote Friday, April 29, in the K-State Student Union.

Susan S. Szenasy has led the New York City-based magazine of architecture, culture and design since 1986. It examines contemporary life through design: architecture, interior design, product design, graphic design, crafts, planning and preservation. The 30-year-old magazine explores economic, environmental, social, cultural, political and technological context.

The symposium, "Collision of Thought: Innovation Takes Collaboration," consists of a panel discussion at 10 a.m., a networking luncheon at noon, Szenasy's keynote at 1:30 p.m. and a reception at 4 p.m.

The panel discussion, keynote event and reception are free and open to the public. A registration fee of $5 is required to attend the networking luncheon. Registration is available at the K-State Wildcat Connection website, http://bit.ly/e1Yirs. Registration deadline is April 15.

Szenasy teaches design history and design ethics at New York's Parsons School of Design. She's the author of several books on design, including "The Home and Light." An internationally recognized authority on sustainability and design, she advocates ethical decisions that will lessen the earth's health problems and social injustice. "I'm exceedingly hopeful about the future of design and designers' growing power in society," she told attendees at an American Institute of Graphic Arts conference.

The Interior Design Student Symposium is an event organized by students for students, said Migette Kaup, K-State associate professor of interior design.

"Our goal is to bring together students, educators and design professionals for dialogue about important issues to the industry," she said.

Student co-chairs, all seniors in interior design, are: Jen Burke, Hays; Yolonda Guyton, Junction City; Jess Conrardy, Spivey; Lydia Travis, Wichita; Liz Tung, Chesterfield, Mo.; and Haley Splan, Kansas City, Mo.

For more information, contact Jennifer Rettele-Thomas at 785-532-7592 or jenniferr@found.ksu.edu.