Alumni Accomplishments

Darcy (Rizzo) Seely

Toledo, Ohio
Year Graduated:  2004
Email:  dseely23@gmail.com
Accomplishments:
I am currently working in Downtown Toledo at Continental Office Environments. I am a designer specializing in healthcare environments, but also work in all other commercial areas. We are a commercial furniture dealership and also provide interior design/ space planning services, flooring, marketing and graphic design, installation and moving services. Based out of Columbus we are 1 of 4 locations.  I work on a variety of projects at any given time ranging from a small office to a whole hospital. I am proud to say we just completed the install for the new United Way here in Toledo- I space planned the systems furniture placement and coordinated finishes and materials etc. It has turned out great! I am also working on the new addition at Wood County Hospital where we are helping to plan and furnish a large number of offices, waiting rooms, supply rooms etc. Very exciting stuff!

I really enjoy the variety and freedom of commercial design. I started as an intern at Continental as was soon hired thereafter. Never underestimate the value of an internship- it exposes you to so much. Getting any real world experience is so helpful- it helps ground you and teaches you how to work with budgets, clients, other trades and other professionals.

Karen (Delagrange) Diller, IIDA, NCIDQ

Whitehouse, Ohio
Year Graduated:  1998
Phone:  419-877-5055
Email:  kdiller@gtoast.net
Accomplishments:
Interior design is a multi-faceted profession; it can take you anywhere and everywhere, that is what I love about being an Interior Designer. Currently, I hold multiple positions; a Visual Merchandiser, with JC Penney, Visual Merchandiser Consultant, with Westfield Franklin Park Mall, Multiple Account Assistant, with Hallmark, and consulting new home buyers on a residential level. In my previous position, as a Senior Interior Designer/Project Manager with La-Z-Boy Inc., I had successfully coordinated and managed multiple large retail store projects. Four years ago I passed the NCIDQ, and I am currently a professional member of IIDA. If I had to do it all over again, I would make the same decision, I truly enjoy what I do.

Jamie (Ankenbrandt) Tscherne, IIDA, NCIDQ, LEED

Maumee, Ohio
Year Graduated:  2005
Phone:  419-346-2137
Email:  jamie@buehrergroup.com
Accomplishments:
I am currently practicing commercial interior design with Buehrer Group Architecture and Engineering, Inc. in Maumee. My employment with Buehrer Group began in 2003 as an intern. I continued working part time while going to school and was then hired full time upon my graduation. In Fall 2007, after gaining the necessary experience, I sat for the NCIDQ. I not only passed the NCIDQ that year, but also passed the LEED exam.  Since then, I have worked on many LEED projects with my first one, Buehrer Group Architectural Studios, achieving LEED Gold Certification. I have been part of the design team for ten major school projects, including five that have been recognized in "American School and University's Annual Architectural Portfolio for Outstanding Designs." In addition to schools, I have worked on multiple renovation projects at BGSU, an interior renovation at the Main Branch of the Toledo-Lucas County Public Library and a new office building for Waterville Gas and Oil Company. There are other small renovation projects sprinkled in there as well!

I am a Professional Member of the International Interior Design Association (IIDA) and am currently serving as President of the Ohio Kentucky Chapter. Prior to becoming President, I was the Toledo City Center Director.

Carolyn (Smith) Marchisin

Toledo, Ohio
Year Graduated:  2001
Phone:  419-666-0200
Email:  cmarchisin@mcnerneyson.com
Accomplishments:
I am currently an Interior Designer and Project Manager for The McNerney Companies in Northwood Ohio. We are a turn-key company, offering general contracting as well as Interior Design and office furniture services. My colleague and I just completed the renovation of our new office and showroom space in Columbus OH in February of 2008 and at McNerney Park in Northwood in Fall of 2008. Other jobs we have worked on for Interiors have included Hershey, Wendy's, Ohio State University, BBB, AAA and Owens Corning. My favorite part of being a designer is working on space planning in Autocad.

Sarah (Slowey) Sichko

Cleveland, Ohio
Year Graduated:  1997
Phone:  440-590-2935
Email:  ssichko@tekus.com
Accomplishments:
I graduated from BGSU's Interior Design Program in 1997. I am currently a District Manager for Teknion. Teknion is an international manufacturer of office furniture systems. I have been with Teknion since 2006 and love the diversity of the position. I work with a select group of furniture dealerships as well the architectural + design market throughout my territory of Northern OH/Western PA. Prior to Teknion, I worked for an independent rep group as well as several local furniture dealers.

A degree in commercial interior design truly allows you the flexibility to experience every facet of the profession. You gain knowledge, experience and expertise with every move and relationships are key. There is always an opportunity to grow in this industry; whether you work for a design firm, a dealership, or a manufacturer.

If I wasn't in interior design, I truly don't know what else I would be doing!

Shauna Dawson Riggs

Toledo, Ohio
Year Graduated:  1998
Phone:  419-885-7652
Email:  esriggs@bex.net
Accomplishments:
After graduation I started working for La-Z-Boy Inc. in the Store Design Department. I have been here ever since and have enjoyed various roles in design. I started out as a Design Assistant and then moved into Designer positions, Management positions and now currently hold a Project Manager position. Through the years, I have been exposed to many different aspects of retail design from designing stores, working on new concepts, graphic implementations, working with national vendor suppliers and the list goes on.

I also sit on the Interior Design Advisory Board at Davis College. This opportunity allows me to keep in contact with education based Interior Design. I enjoy seeing student's work, working with the staff on curriculum and hearing about the up and coming Interior Designers that are entering the work force.

There is a broad range of specialized areas that Interior Designers can lean towards. The goal is to find your niche or your favorite and go for it! I would not trade the experience or professional relationships that I have established for anything.