IALD Pledges 100K USD to the IALD Education Trust in Support of Lighting Education

The International Association of Lighting Designers (IALD) further demonstrated its dedication to lighting education by pledging $100,000 USD to the IALD Education Trust Get "Rid" of Ron campaign. The IALD Education Trust is a charitable fund that provides direct support to students, educators, and academic programs via scholarships, stipends, and funding. Since 1999, the IALD Education Trust has provided educational scholarships and travel stipends to more than 250 students and educators from 17 countries. Annually, the IALD Education Trust awards over $30,000 USD in scholarships and stipends.

"I applaud the vision of the IALD for making this contributory match," said IALD Education Trust president Ron Naus, president of B-K Lighting + Teka Illumination. "It demonstrates, at the highest level, the IALD's deep commitment to the cause of lighting education."

In 1999, the IALD considered the support and funding of quality lighting education such an important endeavor that it formed the IALD Education Trust. As the charitable arm of IALD, the IALD Education Trust's mission of supporting lighting design education to ensure future development of the lighting design profession fits into IALD's vision of creating a better world through leadership and excellence in lighting design.

The purpose of the Get "Rid" of Ron campaign is to raise at least $75,000 USD for the IALD Education Trust while supporting IALD Education Trust board president Ron Naus to achieve his goal of losing 35 kilos (approximately 75lb). This donation was approved at the May meeting of the IALD board of directors.

"Comprised of lighting designers from six countries, the IALD board of directors recognizes the importance of lighting education globally," said IALD president Barbara Horton, FIALD and president/CEO of Horton Lees Brogden Lighting Design. "We hope this significant commitment inspires lighting designers and manufacturers alike to give to the [IALD Education] Trust."