Merchandising school wins international award

The merchandising program in the School of Merchandising and Hospitality Management recently won international recognition as the best program of its kind from the American Textile Manufacturers Institute.

The school received the ninth annual ATMI Award of Excellence from the institute after competing with top university programs that are members of the International Textile and Apparel Association.

To receive the award, which includes $3,000, UNT had to show an exemplary and innovative curriculum and evidence of the impact of its programs on students, other professionals, and the U.S. textile and apparel industry. It also had to take skills used in the industry and teach them to students in a unique way.

The ATMI award was based on several initiatives at UNT, including the Campus Catalog or C², which offers merchandising students the opportunity to practice merchandising strategies and principles. C² is a nationally recognized joint venture formed in March 2000 between UNT and J.C. Penney Co. Inc. UNT students operate and manage the catalog desk and participate in research studies to assist the company in merchandising to college-age students. Profits from the store go toward student scholarships and professional development.

The school also offers innovative programs to meet the needs of working professionals in fashion-related industries by creating an online graduate merchandising degree program in 1999. This online degree, which is the only one of its kind, offers completely web-based courses that are taught through streaming video, chat rooms and e-mail.

The school offers dual graduate degrees with UNT's College of Business Administration. Students can earn a Master's of Business Administration along with a Master's of Science in Merchandising. The school also offers a 12-hour graduate certificate in merchandising, that is also available online.

The school was also recognized for its study of fashion designers crossing over into home furnishing. The award also highlights the schools efforts to integrate industry technology and research into its programs and work closely with industry leaders such as J.C. Penney Co. Inc., Target, the Bombay Company and Zale Corp.

For more information contact Judith Forney, interim dean, at (940) 565-2436.

BY RUFUS COLEMAN rcoleman@unt.edu

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