In May, Interior Designers of Canada and the IDC Foundation announced a scholarship to honour the memory of Robert (Bob) Ledingham – one of Canada’s most celebrated interior designers. The Scholarship will assist Canadian interior designers and educators in their pursuit of higher education.

Now, IDC and the IDC Foundation have announced that Anna Stranks of Ontario is the recipient of the first annual Robert Ledingham Scholarship. Stranks will put the scholarship toward her pursuit of a two-year Master of Design at OCAD University in Toronto.

“I firmly believe in the necessity for life-long learning,” said Stranks, in a press release. “Receiving this scholarship has given me the opportunity to expand my knowledge base and research work as an interior designer but also contribute in a larger capacity in the education of our future designers, through learning experiences heavily focused on the practice of interior design. Scholarships created for our industry provide support to those interested in pursuing advanced degrees. This will encourage more individuals to pursue this necessary education to contribute to advancing the profession.”

Robert Ledingham was a leader in the development of the interior design educational accreditation process in North America. In keeping with the spirit of Bob’s passion for education, funding for his scholarship comes from memorial donations and a matching grant from his estate, donated by Bob’s partner, Robert Lemon. Each year, the Scholarship will award $2,000 to one or more candidates who have recently been accepted, or who are currently enrolled in their first academic year of graduate school at the masters or doctorate level.

“Bob’s contribution to the profession was immeasurable,” said Susan Wiggins, IDC CEO, in a press release. “His scholarship will continue to give back to interior design through the value that further education brings to our profession.”