IALD Supports Quality Lighting Education with Pledge to Education Trust

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 75 pounds). 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 recognize 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.”

The International Association of Lighting Designers (IALD), established in 1969, is an international organization supporting a network of 1,200+ architectural lighting design professionals who satisfy its rigorous qualification process. Its members are distinguished by a unique blend of aesthetic and technical expertise, and operate at the highest level of integrity to create a better world through leadership and excellence in lighting design; to cultivate the universal acknowledgement and appreciation of the Power of Light in human life.

The International Association of Lighting Designers (IALD) Education Trust is a not-for-profit 501(c)3 charitable educational organization that supports academic education in lighting design to foster and ensure the future of the architectural lighting design profession. The IALD Education Trust provides direct support to students, educators and academic programs for the purpose of promoting the study of architectural lighting design.