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Anna Quarles sitting on her quilted chair. Photo by Bree Walton.

Creating a seat for sustainability: UK student turns recycled fabric into modular chair

Katelin Ralenkotter
 Feb 23, 2026
Product Design, Research, University of Kentucky

Anna Quarles, a product design senior in the University of Kentucky College of Design, prioritized sustainability in her final Soft Spaces class project last semester. With the help of Erin Geibel, recycling coordinator in Facilities Management, she transformed old T-shirts, blue wrap and grocery bags into a unique piece of children’s furniture.

The 2026 Great Teacher Award winners. From left: Paul Priyesh, Robin Cooper, Mark Prendergast, Patrick Lee Lucas, Zach Agioutantis and ToniMarie Marchioni. Photo by Tim Webb.

Lucas honored as a 2026 Great Teacher

Meredith Weber
Feb 18, 2026
Interiors, University of Kentucky

For more than six decades, the University of Kentucky has celebrated teachers who leave a lasting mark on their students’ lives. That tradition continued Feb. 17 as six educators were honored as the 2026 Great Teacher Award recipients, each selected through a process that begins with heartfelt nominations from the students they teach and mentor every day. 

Jennifer Meakins moves beyond fabrication, using the digital knitting machine as a core driver of research. Photo provided by UK Research Communications.

People Behind Our Research: Jennifer Meakins bridges design, material science and education

Erin Wickey
 Jan 29, 2026
Interiors, Research, University of Kentucky

 A University of Kentucky researcher is redefining textiles through digital knitting, using it as a research tool that connects design thinking and material science across fields.

The Chellgren Endowed Professorship helps Rebekah Radtke shape the undergraduate experience at UK through teaching, research and program innovation. Photo provided by UK Research Communications.

Advancing undergraduate education through the Chellgren Endowed Professorship: Rebekah Radtke

Ryan Girves
 Jan 23, 2026
Interiors, Research, University of Kentucky

For Rebekah Radtke, design has always been about connection — between people and place, local histories and global conversations, and disciplines that too often operate in isolation.

summer research graphic

2026 Summer Research Fellowships

Jan 20, 2026
College of Design, Research, University of Kentucky

Applications are now open for all categories of summer research fellowships. This year, the College of Design is offering undergraduate, graduate and international summer research fellowship opportunities, funded through the UK Office of Undergraduate Research (OUR) and the College of Design.  Working with faculty mentors, students may apply for stipends of up to $5,000 to fund their independent summer research proposal. Eligibility criteria and proposal guidelines should be reviewed prior to the submission of an application.

career fair graphic

Design Career Fair 2026

Feb 20, 2026, 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
College of Design, University of Kentucky

Join us for the 2026 Design Career Fair, an annual event connecting design students with leading employers in a variety of disciplines from across the country. Held at the Gatton Student Center and hosted collaboratively by the College of Design and the Department of Landscape Architecture, the Design Career Fair offers networking, internship and full-time employment opportunities. Students are encouraged to bring portfolios, engage with potential employers and explore career pathways in architecture, landscape architecture, interior design, product design and more.

Recycling art installation

Recycling redefined: Interiors student research turns waste into art and opportunity

Haley Simpkins
 Nov 24, 2025
Interiors, Research, University of Kentucky

At the end of each semester, University of Kentucky College of Design students are tasked with cleaning their studio space, removing any of the semester’s projects and organizing their materials before heading off for break. Junior interiors student Jackie Skeeters and School of Interiors faculty are looking at ways to make this process more environmentally sustainable by building awareness around the college and university’s recycling efforts.    

2025 Oswald Winners

PRD students sweep design category at 2025 Oswald Research and Creativity Awards

Haven L. Patrick
 Nov 20, 2025
Product Design, Research, University of Kentucky

The University of Kentucky Office of Undergraduate Research (OUR) recently announced the 21 undergraduate winners of the 61st annual Oswald Research and Creativity Awards. Chad Risko, Ph.D., faculty director of the Office of Undergraduate Research, and Research Ambassadors, presented the awards.

Kauner Shacklette poses as the T in an interactive ETHIOPIA sign photo opp at Entoto Park.

IIE NextGen Service Fellowship connects student design to global impact

Haley Simpkins
 Oct 29, 2025
Education Abroad, International, Architecture, Research, University of Kentucky

As an inaugural recipient of the Institute of International Education’s (IIE) NextGen Service Fellowship, Kauner Shacklette was tasked with putting his design knowledge into action by reimagining spaces that could help an Ethiopian YMCA better serve its community.

Sustainability Showcase

Design faculty and staff awarded 2025-26 Sustainability Challenge Grants

Haley Simpkins
 Oct 29, 2025
Architecture, College of Design, Historic Preservation, Interiors, Research, University of Kentucky

University of Kentucky College of Design faculty and staff are part of several interdisciplinary teams to have been awarded UK’s 2025-26 Sustainability Challenge Grants.  

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