September 12th marks Natalie’s 61st birthday, and we’re raising a glass to celebrate this special day for Alabama Chanin’s founder, fearless leader, creative director, jack of all trades, and H.B.I.C. (lovingly proclaimed head b*tch in charge—with the t-shirt to prove it). All of us at Alabama Chanin wish Natalie a beautiful, vibrant, inspiring, celebratory day (and month) to mark her 61 trips around the Sun.
To commemorate her birthday and the 21 Years project celebrating our 21 years as a leader in sustainability, Natalie created a design scholarship at her alma mater, North Carolina State University. Natalie was able to successfully complete her design education and graduate with honors in 1987 with the help of a similar scholarship, received at a critical time in her studies. In gratitude, the Natalie Chanin Design Scholarship will provide need-based scholarships for students pursuing an undergraduate degree in the College of Design at North Carolina State University. Preference will be given to students with a demonstrated interest in textile design who have overcome specific challenges including, but not limited to, being from the first generation in their family to attend college and/or being in or from a single-parent household.
Due to an overwhelming number of generous donors to the Natalie Chanin Design Scholarship, the College of Design has raised $27,170, which is over half of the $50,000 necessary to fund an endowed scholarship. Our plan is to continue raising funds toward that goal until it is fulfilled. If the total amount is raised, Natalie is committed to working on scholarships for future leaders—as she believes that design can change the world.
Our sincerest thanks goes out to those who read about, donated to the scholarship fund, or supported any institution of learning during the past year. We will continue to update you as the fundraising progresses.
Donate to the Natalie Chanin Design Scholarship here.
Contributions to the scholarship can also be made by check. Checks should be made out to the NCSU Foundation, have the scholarship name written in the memo line (or on a note included with the check), and be mailed to:
NC State College of Design
Attn: Lauren Hipp
Campus Box 7701
Raleigh, NC 27695
Questions? Please contact Lauren Hipp at lmhipp@ncsu.edu or 919-515-8320.
About the College of Design:
The NC State College of Design prepares students for a career in design through interdisciplinary engagement, innovative exploration of technologies, and a core foundation of design thinking and practice. The College of Design offers undergraduate, graduate, doctor of design, and PhD in design degrees and currently has over 850 enrolled students. NC State University is a leading public research university located in Raleigh, North Carolina.
In response to an ever-expanding global interest in all disciplines of design, the College’s curriculum incorporates relevant practices reflecting both the university’s Tier 1 Research status and its land-grant mission. Effective design requires attention and sensitivity to the social, economic, political, cultural, and behavioral understanding of the environment and people. Our graduate and undergraduate programs in Architecture, Art + Design, Design Studies, Graphic Design, Industrial Design, and Landscape Architecture are intended to develop a designer’s perception, knowledge, skills, and problem-solving abilities to develop design solutions for public interest and to serve the needs of all users and to impact the myriad of sustainable and life-quality problems across the globe.
This post was originally published on September 12th, 2021 and updated on September 1st, 2022.