Alison Garry
Go Getters 20 years ago No Comments


Alison Garry is a Midwesterner by birth, but she’s recently picked up the travel bug. This native of Lee’s Summit, Missouri, ventured far from home last spring semester when she studied abroad in the mysterious and history-rich city of Prague in the Czech Republic. Though she didn’t want to leave, she returned to her studies at Kansas State University with a more worldly perspective and renewed drive to finish out her program in anticipation of her first big break.

Readers might remember PLiNTH & CHiNTZ’s spotlight on Professor Mike Dudek of KSU in October 2004’s READY FOR MY CLOSE-UP. Mike educates students in interior design, teaching within KSU’s Department of Apparel, Textiles and Interior Design. Alison, on the other hand, is pursuing KSU’s 5-year degree in Interior Architecture and Product Design, which is located in the College of Architecture, Planning, and Design. You can learn more about the distinctions of the programs and departments by visiting both the College of Architecture and the Interior Architecture Department.

Ever since she can remember, Alison has always wanted to pursue a career related to the interior design industry. In fact, she never even really considered any other career direction: “I actually only applied to Kansas State because there was no other option for me. This is what I have always wanted to do! I’ve been drawing floor plans of houses since I learned to draw, and I loved going to model homes with my parents when I was growing up. I enjoy making spaces more interesting and creating environments. I think making someone stop and think about what you have created is a job well done.”

When this fifth-year senior isn’t working during available weekends and holiday breaks at a retail store in Kansas City, she’s studying and staying involved on campus. In her major, the students can join The American Institute of Architecture Students [AIAS] or The American Institute of Building Design [AIBD]. She chose the latter and has served in the past as Secretary.

Although she admittedly enjoys the residential and retail design fields at the moment, part of her K-State program explores furniture design and production. She’s definitely hoping that she will have the opportunity to incorporate that acquired knowledge into all facets of her future in the design industry.

In anticipation of graduation, Alison chose to realize her dream of European travel and study instead of tracking down an internship while in school in Kansas: “I think that internships are very important, but I decided to expand my knowledge of design by studying abroad. It was the most incredible experience of my life. I met so many people from around the world and got to see so much of what I learned in previous history classes. Prague is the most beautiful city I have ever seen and I can’t wait to go back!”

Can we hide in your suitcase”


Now on to less serious matters…

P&C: What TV show will you move heaven and earth not to miss”
AG: TV is over to me as I know it since Friends ended last spring, but I would have to say Extreme Home Makeover and Desperate Housewives are trying to fill the void for now.

P&C: Did you dress up for Halloween, and if so, what did you go as”
AG: I spent the Halloween weekend helping remodel a friend’s place. We were going to dress up as carpenters or construction workers, but we were too tired.

P&C: What’s your favorite comfort food”
AG: That is a toughy. I would have to say that my roommate makes some killer monkey bread whenever I have late nights in studio to cheer me up!! Basically, monkey bread is just biscuits that are dipped in butter and rolled in cinnamon and sugar. Trust me, it’s so good.

P&C: What do you hope to accomplish before the 2004 is over”
AG: I feel like I have accomplished so much this year. I lived in Europe for a semester, traveled to eleven countries and really saw the world for the first time. That has been a dream of mine since beginning college and something I am so grateful to have had the opportunity to take part in. These last couple of months of 2004 will be spent working on my portfolio and deciding where I want to start my life. It is almost time for me to join “the real world” but I still have a little bit of time to have some fun!

You can contact Alison about her K-State program, her European vacation and her obsession with monkey bread by emailing her at aeg4444@ksu.edu.

 


 

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