IIDA Illinois Chapter Appoints Crandon Gustafson President-Elect

Chicago, IL, July 18, 2008 --(PR.com)-- Crandon Gustafson, Director of the Center for Professional Development at Harrington College of Design, has been appointed president–elect for the Illinois chapter of the International Interior Design Association (IIDA). With more than 700 members locally, the IIDA Illinois Chapter is one of the largest and most active regional chapters. It consists of three functional City Centers; Chicago, Northern Illinois and Central Illinois. Members of the Illinois Chapter include design professionals, associates, students, and industry members. He will work with current President Melissa DiCaire of the Environments Group and Outgoing President Angie Lee of Smithgroup to lead the organization’s board of directors.

Gustafson became a member of IIDA in 2005 and is currently the Vice President of Student Affairs. During his time as vice president he has greatly raised the level of IIDA Illinois and student interaction. “Student membership is of huge importance and Crandon has created a lot of new activity,” said IIDA Illinois Chapter President, Angie Lee. “As Vice President of Student Affairs he has generated great momentum among design schools in the Chicago area.” This year Illinois had more student/professional participation in the Student Mentoring Program than any other chapter.

As President-Elect, Gustafson wants continued focus on increasing membership and student involvement. “This will create great opportunities for social networking, educational opportunities and increase awareness of what interior designers do and the importance of their work,” said Gustafson.

In his role at Harrington, Gustafson oversees Career Services, Continuing Education for design professionals, and International Studies for the college. Before becoming director in September of 2007, Gustafson served as department chair of the Interior Design Program for two years. Gustafson was employed by Harrington in 2001 as an adjunct instructor in the Interior Design Program. He has more than twenty years of professional practice experience, much of it focused on the design of educational facilities.

IIDA is a professional networking and educational association of 13,000 members in nine specialty Forums in 30 Chapters around the world. IIDA works to enhance quality of life through excellence in interior design and to advance interior design through knowledge, value and community.

Gustafson received a Master of Architecture Degree from the University of Colorado – Denver, and a Bachelor of Science Degree in Community Sciences from the University of Wisconsin – Green Bay. He is a registered architect, a LEED Accredited Professional, and a member of AIA, IDEC, ASID and IIDA.

Harrington College of Design 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 degree in Communication Design. Harrington is committed to creating the next generation of design professionals to lead and serve the global community.

Harrington has been a member of Chicago’s design and higher education communities since 1931. 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 to award associate degrees and bachelor's degrees. Harrington is recognized as a private college by the Illinois Board of Higher Education (IBHE), and is authorized by the IBHE to confer baccalaureate and associate degrees. The Interior Design Program leading to the Bachelor of Fine Arts degree is accredited by the Council for Interior Design Accreditation (formerly FIDER). Harrington is a member of the Career Education Corporation (Nasdaq:CECO) network of universities, colleges and schools.

For more information on Harrington College of Design, call 312.939.4975 or visit www.harringtoncollege.com

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