Founders’ Scholarship
The Founders’ Scholarship is an annual scholarship set up as a benefit for members and their children, as well as children of parents who are employed by an ITA member. The scholarship recipient receives $2,500 on the second and third year of the winner’s education.
Scholarship Criteria
- Must be the child of an employee of an ITA Member Company
- Must have completed their first year of college.
- Minimum of a 3.5 GPA
- Three letters of recommendation
- List their extracurricular activities and awards
- Write an essay stating their educational objectives and how it relates to their planned career
The Founders’ Scholarship was established in 2015 by the ITA Board of Directors along with the Educational Foundation to further our commitment to education and our industry’s future. This scholarship was created to honor our Founding ITA Board of Directors and Members.
Founding Board of Directors
- Pete Thompson
- Terry Baxter
- Tom Muzekari
- Tom Forrester
- Lee Kabat
- Fran Luedtke
Founding Members
- American Silk Mills
- Covington Fabric & Design, LLC
- David Rothschild Co., Inc.
- J.B. Martin Co., Inc.
- P. Kaufmann Fabrics
- Richloom Fabrics Group
- Valdese Weavers, Inc.
The 2023 Founders’ Scholarship was awarded to Liza Kearns. At the time of scholarship selection, Liza had already completed approximately half of her Interior Design program at Appalachian State University. Liza says, “I have been honored to have been selected as the winner of the 2023 Founder’s Scholarship. Thank you to all of the members and industry professionals who have supported me thus far. As a future interior designer, the knowledge and opportunity I have gained within the textile industry will help me immensely when making selections in my future career.”
The second Founders’ Scholarship was awarded to Harrison Garcia. At the time of scholarship selection, Harrison was a high school senior at Clarkstown High School North in New City, NY. Beginning in the Fall of 2018, Harrison will attend Northeastern University where he plans to double major in Biology and Business at Northeastern’s College of Science and D’Amore-McKim School of Business. Harrison says “I always dreamed of learning about and conducting scientific research on the improvement of people’s health and on the overall health of our society; this scholarship will help me achieve that dream.” He is the son of Stacy Garcia, President of ITA Member Lebatex, Inc.
The first Founders’ Scholarship was awarded at the ITA Awards Gala in December 2016 to Emma Becker. At the time of scholarship selection, Emma was a high school senior in the Tiverton School District. Beginning in the Fall of 2017, Emma will attend the University of Rhode Island with the goal of becoming an actor and educator. She is the daughter of Paula Becker, who is employed by ITA member, Regal Fabrics, Inc.