Professor Joan Dickinson is pictured here with members of her Sophomore Studio II
class.
Dr. Joan Dickinson of 福利导在线观看鈥檚 Department of Design has been awarded the
prestigious 2025 Arnold P. Friedmann Educator of Distinction Award by the Interior
Design Educators Council (IDEC). The honor, which is open to candidates from around
the world, recognizes demonstrated leadership in interior design education, impact
on the profession and excellence in teaching.
Dickinson, Professor of Interior Design and Coordinator of the MFA in Design Thinking
at 福利导在线观看, officially received the award on March 19 in Chicago at the
IDEC annual conference.
The news first arrived in a phone call from last year's winner, Dr. Jill Pable of
Florida State University. At the time, Dickinson had made no arrangements to attend
the conference this year, but she gladly changed her plans to be in Chicago upon hearing
she had won the award.
鈥淚t came as quite a shock,鈥 she said, because she had no idea she had even been nominated.
鈥淚 am honored, flattered, and stunned.鈥
Dr. Dickinson helps student on her final design project in her Sophomore Studio II
class.
And it is not an award that is easy to garner.
First, the recipient must be nominated and receive five letters of recommendation.
Then, a review committee is formed consisting of two past recipients (with one serving
as committee chair), a Fellow of the IDEC, a member of the IDEC Board of Directors,
and a longstanding member of IDEC. After reviewing all the nominees, the committee
makes its selection.
In her speech introducing Dickinson, Pable recounted an impressive list of professional
contributions and accomplishments as well as insights from those who nominated her.
鈥淎ltogether, the record of Dr. Dickinson paints a portrait of a consummate professional
skilled at teaching,鈥 Pable said, 鈥渟etting an example through leadership, and long-term
consistent commitment to supporting our profession, students and public.鈥
Dr. Holly Cline, Chair of Radford鈥檚 Design Department, was excited to share the news,
noting that it is the highest possible honor to receive in this field.
鈥淭his is the Oscar for Best Actor in our world,鈥 said Cline, 鈥渁nd 福利导在线观看
is lucky to have her at our school.鈥
For her part, Dickinson says that the award reflects not just her but her students
as well.
鈥淭his is a lifetime achievement award that I dedicate to my students who I have had
the privilege of teaching,鈥 Dickinson said.
鈥淭he student is at the heart of what we do, and I never take it for granted that I
am able to work with so many amazing young people.鈥