The Lusks' Gift for Scholarships and Speaker Series Designs Future for Success

Three major gifts to the Department of Design (formerly the Department of Interior Design and Fashion) totaling $200,000 from William and Betty Lusk have established the William C. & Betty J. Lusk Design Merchandising Scholarship and a departmental speaker series. The scholarship provides awards to be given to two exceptional merchandising students every year. Money from the gift will also help fund a speaker series featuring real-world industry design experts.

The Lusks’ granddaughter Katie is a design major. It was her passion for design and love of her department that inspired the Lusk’s gift.

“Betty and I are delighted to lend our support to RU, especially because it has provided an exceptional education to our granddaughter Katie,” says William Lusk.

According to Professor Dr. Farrell Doss, “Merchandising faculty nominate merchandising students (in good academic standing) for the Lusk Scholarship. These nominations are vetted by the department chair and program coordinators.”

In spring 2014, two scholarships were awarded to freshman merchandising students Lauren Browning and Gigi Ganzer.

“I was very shocked and excited when I found out I received the scholarship. Gigi is my best friend and when I found out I got to share it with her it just made the whole experience even better. I was so thankful to my professors and it was such an honor knowing they thought so highly of me,” says Browning.

At the 2014 Fashion Fete Fundraiser held in March both met the Lusks.

“Having the honor of meeting Mr. Lusk, and his family and being invited to sit with them at their dinner table with President Kyle was an amazing experience! This honor will always remind me to work hard in continuing my passion for fashion!” says Ganzer.

The department will award the scholarship to two upperclassmen for fall 2014 and again to two freshmen in spring 2015.