April 20, 2021 - 40 under 40 award recipient
Posted by the Triad Business Journal
august 2, 2019 - Bryan School Alumni ASSOCIATION Board Retreat

Posted by the Bryan School of Business and Economics
"Last weekend, the Bryan School Alumni Association Board held their annual retreat. The group met at Charles Aris to make plans for the upcoming year, including a number of events celebrating the Bryan School's 50th anniversary! Out-going Board President Derek Mobley was recognized, along with Board Member of the Year award winner Ashlee Wagner. The new incoming Board President is Eric Durham. Look for a message from him in this fall's Bryan Business Report magazine!"
"Last weekend, the Bryan School Alumni Association Board held their annual retreat. The group met at Charles Aris to make plans for the upcoming year, including a number of events celebrating the Bryan School's 50th anniversary! Out-going Board President Derek Mobley was recognized, along with Board Member of the Year award winner Ashlee Wagner. The new incoming Board President is Eric Durham. Look for a message from him in this fall's Bryan Business Report magazine!"
DECEMBER 9, 2016 - HANDS-ON PROJECT IS EYE-OPENING : Apparel Students Learn Through Project with VF Corporation

Found on UNCG.EDU
The challenge: Look at one of two different clothing items currently produced and sold by VF Corporation and propose a design improvement.
Sounds simple? Think again. Students in the Textile Products Production Management course were given this challenge as part of a hands-on project partnership with VF Corporation. Students learned that suggesting a change meant considering every cut of fabric, stitch, button, or accent that goes into a product. They had to provide rationale for the change and address how the materials, production, pricing, and marketing would be affected. They had to test ideas, and learn how to adapt when initial concepts proved unworkable. They learned through experience what it takes to turn suggestions into commercially-viable solutions.
“As a UNCG CARS Alumni, class of 2011, I understand how important it is to bridge the gap between the industry and class theory. This project provided a unique opportunity to benefit both the students and VF. While the students received first hand exposure to our company, processes, and job roles, we were able to see the talent growing in Greensboro by the students’ innovative design solutions,” said Kerrie Rogers, Patternmaker at VF Jeanswear.
“Working with VF gave me insight into the realities of apparel production and a look into future jobs and positions in the apparel design industry,” said senior Rachel Singleton. This hands-on experience allowed me to relate what we learn in our classes here at UNCG to procedures and jobs within the industry and understand the importance of the curriculum and how it will be used at our jobs in the future.”
Senior Jessica Perry agreed, “In terms of our project with VF, our eyes were opened to exactly what goes on every day in the apparel industry. It is so different when you’re one person who makes a garment from start to finish compared to actually being in a company that produces a wide range of garments with multiple functions and attributes.”
Both students emphasized how welcoming, supportive, and helpful their contacts in VF were throughout the project.
“In my opinion, this collaboration between our Product Development/Pattern Teams and the CARS students generated a lot of energy and some really great ideas that will definitely be shared with our design teams,” said Chattie McGill, Senior Product Development Manager with VF Jeanswear. “The students talked about how much they gained, but I hope they realize the profound influence they had on us as well. The future is definitely bright in ‘Jeansboro’ USA!”
The challenge: Look at one of two different clothing items currently produced and sold by VF Corporation and propose a design improvement.
Sounds simple? Think again. Students in the Textile Products Production Management course were given this challenge as part of a hands-on project partnership with VF Corporation. Students learned that suggesting a change meant considering every cut of fabric, stitch, button, or accent that goes into a product. They had to provide rationale for the change and address how the materials, production, pricing, and marketing would be affected. They had to test ideas, and learn how to adapt when initial concepts proved unworkable. They learned through experience what it takes to turn suggestions into commercially-viable solutions.
“As a UNCG CARS Alumni, class of 2011, I understand how important it is to bridge the gap between the industry and class theory. This project provided a unique opportunity to benefit both the students and VF. While the students received first hand exposure to our company, processes, and job roles, we were able to see the talent growing in Greensboro by the students’ innovative design solutions,” said Kerrie Rogers, Patternmaker at VF Jeanswear.
“Working with VF gave me insight into the realities of apparel production and a look into future jobs and positions in the apparel design industry,” said senior Rachel Singleton. This hands-on experience allowed me to relate what we learn in our classes here at UNCG to procedures and jobs within the industry and understand the importance of the curriculum and how it will be used at our jobs in the future.”
Senior Jessica Perry agreed, “In terms of our project with VF, our eyes were opened to exactly what goes on every day in the apparel industry. It is so different when you’re one person who makes a garment from start to finish compared to actually being in a company that produces a wide range of garments with multiple functions and attributes.”
Both students emphasized how welcoming, supportive, and helpful their contacts in VF were throughout the project.
“In my opinion, this collaboration between our Product Development/Pattern Teams and the CARS students generated a lot of energy and some really great ideas that will definitely be shared with our design teams,” said Chattie McGill, Senior Product Development Manager with VF Jeanswear. “The students talked about how much they gained, but I hope they realize the profound influence they had on us as well. The future is definitely bright in ‘Jeansboro’ USA!”
March 10, 2011 - THREADS goes "Under the Influence"

Found on UNCG.EDU
Come on, get in vogue with THREADS.
THREADS’ annual fashion show gives UNCG fashion design students a chance to show off their creations. This year’s show will also make a young girl’s dream come true.
The sixth annual show, “Under the Influence: Art, Music and Cinema in Fashion,” hits the runway Friday, March 18, at 8 p.m. This year marks the event’s debut on campus, in Cone Ballroom on the main floor of Elliott University Center (EUC). Doors open at 7 p.m.
It gives us an opportunity to showcase our work to peers and industry professionals. These are lessons we, as students, can take with us.“We expect to sell out,” says Kerrie Rogers, THREADS president. “We moved the show from the Cultural Arts Center downtown to campus this year because of demand.”
Previous shows were spread over two nights to accommodate attendees. Cone Ballroom offers a 550-seat capacity, Rogers says, and a chance to draw more UNCG students in addition to parents and people working in the fashion industry.
THREADS is a networking and social organization for UNCG’s Consumer, Apparel and Retail Studies (CARS) students. The group, which began with five members, now boasts 78 active members, Rogers says.
THREADS members will model all clothes in the show, with the noted exception of 12-year-old Hannah Payne. Hannah, who turns 13 the week of the show, was born with spina bifida. She dreams of becoming a fashion model – a dream that will come true March 18 thanks to the Make-A-Wish Foundation and THREADS.
Hannah will be pretty in pink, modeling a tulle ball gown, and a pink-and-green dress inspired byLilly Pulitzer. THREADS members designed and made the gowns, which are Hannah’s to keep after the show.
“The show should be a nice birthday present for Hannah,” Rogers says. Rogers, a senior, has taken part in three previous THREADS fashion shows. She says the shows provide valuable and practical experience for CARS students.
“It gives us an opportunity to showcase our work to peers and industry professionals,” Rogers says. “These are lessons we, as students, can take with us.”
“Under the Influence” explores the influences of the arts in fashion. Plan to see original clothes inspired by “Breakfast at Tiffany’s”, pop artist Andy Warhol and Brit rock band Muse.
Also new this year, Reed Benjamin of WUAG, UNCG’s student-run radio station, will deejay the show.
Funds go toward funding the annual fashion show, covering costs of field trips, and paying for social events.
Buy tickets at the box office in the EUC. Prices are: Front Row/VIP, $15; General Admission, $10; UNCG Students, $7.
Free parking is available in Oakland Deck behind Yum Yum Ice Cream, accessible from Spring Garden Street at Kenilworth and Forest streets.
June 24, 2010 - Tommy Hilfiger Hosts YMA Fashion Scholarship Fund 2010 Intern Social at Tommy Hilfiger Fifth Avenue Global Flagship

From PRNEWSWIRE.COM
NEW YORK, June 24 /PRNewswire/ -- Tommy Hilfiger, a wholly owned subsidiary of Phillips-Van Heusen Corporation (NYSE:PVH) hosted the YMA Fashion Scholarship Fund (FSF) 2010 Intern Social on Tuesday, June 22 at the designer's Fifth Avenue flagship boutique. The social honored Hilfiger's recent $50,000 scholarship grant to the FSF and its second year in hosting the Intern Social. Guests included Tommy Hilfiger, members of the FSF board of directors, and 56 newly appointed fashion industry proteges selected this year by the FSF to be mentored as the future of fashion.
This summer's $5,000 grant-recipient interns living and working in New York City at top fashion industry companies include four interning at Tommy Hilfiger. Three were selected for Excellence in Design to work within Hilfiger's Design and Production teams, while one was chosen for Marketing.
"I'm honored to partner with the Fashion Scholarship Fund to support students interested in the fashion industry," said Tommy Hilfiger. "These students have wonderful talent and it is exciting to have them intern and work with our team."
"Fashion Scholarship Fund is a great program that supports students' interest in the retail industry both from a business and design perspective," said Colleen Kelly, President of Tommy Hilfiger Wholesale for North America who also serves on the FSF board of directors. "It is touching to see their dedication and interest in fashion and the business behind it."
"The internship program is a road map for the students to plan their future careers. They are able to hold a mirror up to themselves and to the industry to see how they're going to become a part of it," said FSF President, Ken Wyse, also President of Licensing and Public Relations for Phillips-Van Heusen (PVH). "We continue to outreach, to fuel with grants, money, endowments and events in order to be relevant. We honor the students to keep them motivated to become leaders," and he added, "We continue to include more schools in this program in order to grow new leaders of our industry."
An organization boasting more than 70 years in the apparel and textile industries, the FSF has been granting scholarships to students in those businesses since 1971. Over the last several years, the fund has fast become one of the largest, most important grant organizations in the apparel business, having awarded more than $6 million to over 700 students since the scholarship program started. The YMA FSF has paired students with participating companies ranging from designer houses Zac Posen, Calvin Klein and Donna Karan, to retailers like Ross Stores, Macy's and Phillips-Van Heusen, and fashion forecasting organizations such as The Doneger Group.
This is the first year Hilfiger has been on the roster of participating companies with whom students are paired. Other participants range from designer houses Zac Posen, Calvin Klein and Donna Karan, to retailers like Ross Stores, Macy's and Phillips-Van Heusen, and fashion forecasting organizations such as The Doneger Group.
All 56 talented scholars chosen to intern this summer applied from the 28 FSF-participating schools nationwide, including F.I.T.,Indiana University and Wharton Business School, among others.
(Image from Guestofaguest.com)
January 14, 2010 - One of the Most Successful Years in the History of the FSF

From YMAFASHIONSCHOLARSHIPFUND.ORGThe FSF selected the 2010 scholarship recipients in December. While juggling exams, papers, and the busy student workloads, over 100 students applied for this scholarship. Students received their case study in October and in the midst of their busy schedules, managed to complete their application by the December 1st deadline. In previous years, students had all of winter break to focus on their project. Of the applicants, 56 students received $5,000 scholarships to be applied towards their spring tuition and summer internship.
The competitive internship process played a role in the the shift in calendar this year. With so many students competing for internships, awarding scholarships earlier also connected our students with our member companies earlier.
Many of our scholars are still looking for internships. If your company is looking to hire an intern this summer, please contact our Scholar-Intern Coordinator, Marie Colletta, at YMAScholars@aol.com.
The FSF is proud to announce that it has partnered up with NYU to provide student housing again this summer. All students looking for summer housing, please contact Christina Ha at cha@fashionscholarshipfund.org by March 30th.
Image from Guestofaguest.com