HIGH POINT, N.C., May 15, 2018 – The Broyhill Family Foundation of Lenoir, led by Chairman Paul Broyhill, has established a scholarship at High Point University for students in the School of Art and Design. The $135,000 gift supports the Broyhill Family Foundation Endowed Scholarship, originally established in 2016, making it one of the university’s largest endowed scholarships to date.
The scholarship, awarded to students pursuing both a major within the School of Art and Design and a minor in the Phillips School of Business, was created to encourage future designers to gain an understanding of basic business principles and management. It can be renewed annually upon successful completion of the previous year’s work and can be awarded to more than one student.
“Our goal through the Broyhill endowment is to expand horizons for design students at HPU,” says Sheila Triplett-Brady, executive director of the Broyhill Family Foundation. “By combining design and business they can broaden both their chances for occupational success and personal career satisfaction. They will have the professional tools to conceive a product as well as to market it to consumers. That’s the formula for success.”
For more than a century, the name Broyhill has been synonymous with fine-quality furniture, with the defining force being a commitment to quality and value. Broyhill furniture began through the vision of James Edgar “Ed” Broyhill, when he first created his own company in 1926 and then consolidated it with his brother’s company in the 1940s to form Broyhill Furniture Industries. His son, Paul, joined the company after World War II and eventually became president and CEO.
Sales doubled on average every seven years under Paul Broyhill’s leadership. When the company was sold in 1980 to Interco, Broyhill was the largest privately-owned furniture manufacturer in the world. It produced furniture collections now sought online by collectors, like upscale Broyhill Premier, mid-century modern Brasilia, and French country Fontana, as well as the long-running and still produced Attic Heirlooms. Today, Broyhill is one of the most recognized brands in the industry.
The Broyhill Family Foundation, located in Lenoir, was established in 1945 to support endeavors in higher education, civic, community and health services, the development and welfare of youth, and the free enterprise system.
“Through the years I have treasured Paul Broyhill’s wisdom and friendship,” says Dr. Nido Qubein, HPU president. “He is an extraordinary leader, community advocate and visionary catalyst. It’s an honor to have an endowed scholarship in his name at High Point University, providing future generations of students with the opportunity to attend the university.”