CHICAGO, IL, November 28 – The Illinois Chapter of the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) presented Sue Kirkman, vice president of academics at Harrington College of Design, with the ASID Chapter Educator Medalist Award, the highest honor a member can receive. This award was created in 2004 in appreciation of outstanding service and significant contributions of ASID members to their chapter and to the body of knowledge that supports the profession of interior design.

This year Sue Kirkman was one of only five ASID members in the country bestowed with this honor. To be considered and selected for the ASID Chapter Educator Medalist Award, candidates are evaluated on the following three criteria: outstanding and significant service to interior design, significant local or national contributions to interior design, and outstanding continued contributions that have enriched the human experience in a design related field. The candidates must also have been a member of the American Society of Interior Designers for a minimum of 10 years and had meaningful and significant input in their individual chapter.

In addition to her full-time role at Harrington, Kirkman owns her own consulting company, Interior Design Consultants, which she founded in 1983, and has had experience working on everything from residential homes to commercial installations and boat interiors all over the country. Kirkman is also an active member of many professional organizations in addition to ASID, including the International Interior Design Association, the National Kitchen and Bath Association and the National Council for Interior Design Qualification, for which she serves on the Education Committee.

“My work and industry involvement stem from my passion not just for design, but for design education,” said Kirkman. “Guiding and instructing future designers has been one of the most rewarding aspects of my career and I am thrilled that the ASID dedicates a specific award to recognize contributions not only to our chapter and the ASID, but to the local design community.”

“Sue is a model educator, designer and colleague,” said Erik Parks, president of Harrington College of Design. “Her successes, both at Harrington with her students and as an individual designer, demonstrate that this is a well-deserved distinction.”

Sue Kirkman was presented with this award on September 20, 2006 at the chapter’s annual meeting and seventy-fifth anniversary bash of the Illinois chapter of ASID.

About Harrington College of Design
Harrington College of Design, committed to creating the next generation of design professionals to lead and serve the global community, is a four-year college that offers flexible scheduling for a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree in Interior Design, an Associate of Applied Science Degree in Interior Design or Digital Photography and a new Bachelor of Fine Arts in Communication Design. Founded in 1931, the college celebrates its 75th anniversary this year.

Located at 200 W. Madison St., Harrington seeks to foster an environment that maximizes students’ intellectual and artistic potential. The majority of the faculty is practicing interior designers, architects, photographers and fine art professionals. Harrington is accredited by the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools (ACICS). Harrington is an accredited institutional member of the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD). Harrington is recognized as a private college by the Illinois Board of Higher Education. The College is authorized by that board to confer baccalaureate and associate degrees. The bachelor of fine arts degree program in interior design is accredited by the Council for Interior Design Accreditation, formerly known as the Foundation for Interior Design Education and Research (FIDER).

For more information, call 312.939.4975 or visit www.harringtoncollege.com.