history

AUID was founded in 1979 after In-House designers at several Midwestern Universities found the need to
communicate and share ideas on how to provide their institutions with safe, functional, cost effective and
professionally designed interiors
.
The concept of such an organization began in several places simultaneously. In 1976, JoAnna Henegar, a
Designer for Physical Facilities at Indiana University, wanted to initiate contact with other in-house designers,
but not limited to Universities. At the same time, Zetta Anderson, also a Designer at Indiana University , but
working in the Halls of Residence, was contacting Designers at other Big 10 Conference Universities for the
same reasons. To expedite the process, both Designers contacted manufacturer's representatives to spread
the word about the formation of such a design organization. JoAnna and Zetta were put in contact with Joy
Adcock of Michigan State University and Virginia Denham of the University of Michigan . These two Designers
also recognized the need for networking among such in-house design professionals and acknowledged the
desire not to open membership to manufacturer's reps or other trade persons.
After several meetings and discussions, the focus of the organization shifted to include only those in-house
Designers at Colleges and Universities. At a meeting during Neocon 11 in Chicago, the Association of
University Interior Designers was established with the following people present: JoAnna Henegar and Zetta
Anderson of Indiana University, Joy Adcock of Michigan State University, Virginia Denham of the University of
Michigan, Kent Brigham of Western Michigan University and Lola VanWyck of Iowa State University.

The meeting was held at the M&M Club in the Merchandise Mart and was called to order by Virginia Denham.
The first slate of officers were elected and consisted of: President, JoAnna Henegar; Vice President, Virginia
Denham; Secretary, Zetta Anderson and Treasurer, Kent Brigham. Meetings were held three times yearly.
Member institutions hosted the February and October meetings and the June meetings were held at Neocon.

Since those early years of the association, AUID has grown into an organization of 49 Universities with 87
members from 21 States. Publicist and Historian positions have been added to the AUID slate of officers.
The annual Fall conference continues to be hosted by member institutions and the Neocon meeting is a
welcomed reprieve for those attending the June event. The February meeting is no longer held due to
member universities' travel and budget constraints, as well as the advance in technology, enabling almost
instantaneous email communication among the entire membership as needed.

At the Fall conference, programs and seminars include topics related to interior design for universities in
areas of academic, health care and residence hall design. Building tours of new, renovated spaces and
furniture installations provide information among members regarding product evaluation and how problems
have been resolved in the areas of code, ADA and life-safety issues.
In 1985, AUID created the annual Design Competition in order to provide the opportunity to share and
acknowledge the work of the Membership among fellow AUID Designers. The design awards are presented
at the Awards Banquet that is held during the Fall Conference. The Host Institution secures the Judges for
the Design Competition from the Design Community in the host City.
The Clearstory, AUID's newsletter, began its yearly publication in 1980. Its format includes updates on the
Neocon event, summaries of Conference seminars and guest speaker topics, as well as, other newsworthy
items relevant to the membership. With the advance in Internet technology, AUID developed its first website
during the years 1999-2000. The site provides membership, scholarship and application information, in
addition to web links to sites of other design-related organizations. The annual edition of the Clearstory is
also posted on the AUID website.
Since one of AUID's goals is the commitment to providing professional services to our Institutions now and
for the future, the first AUID Scholarships were awarded in 2000. The scholarships are to assist interior
design students with their education and insure the continued development of qualified interior design
professionals
The Association of
University Interior Designers
“In Chicago on October 10, 1979, we met and declared
ourselves an organization.”
- JoAnna Henegar, Founding President