Jeannie Krumdieck, professor and chair of Samford’s School of the Arts Department of Architecture & Interior Design, was presented with a new scholarship fund in her honor. The Jeannie Carter Krumdieck Endowed Scholarship was presented by the School of the Arts Dean, Lance Beaumont, during Krumdieck’s retirement reception on December 1. This is the first scholarship fund to be given within the department. Her students also presented her with a newly created “Jeannie Krumdieck Student Leadership Award,” which honors a student who demonstrates the commitment, professionalism and compassionate leadership that Jeannie exemplified in her many years at Samford.
The Jeannie Carter Krumdieck Endowed Scholarship will be awarded to an upper division student in the Department of Architecture and Interior Design who has maintained excellent merit and illustrates an acute sensitivity toward the design process.
This scholarship honors Jeannie Krumdieck for her 32 years of service to Samford University. In addition to her roles within the Department of Architecture and Interior Design, she has served as president of the state chapter and on the National Board of Directors for IIDA (International Interior Design Association), and served as a member of the Alabama Board for Registered Interior Designers. Her collaborative design projects have won numerous awards and recognition from the Design Educator’s National Exhibition, Alabama Chapter of IIDA, Birmingham and Alabama Chapters of the American Institute of Architects, Southern Living Magazine and Southern Accents Magazine.
Question and Answer
How do you feel about your career and accomplishments at Samford’s School of the Arts in the Architecture & Interior Design program?
“It’s been so very fulfilling and rewarding. I have had the pleasure of knowing, being inspired by, and mentoring many students over the years; working with amazing colleagues; and receiving the generosity of the professional design community as they became an integral part of our programs. It has been a privilege, and all that has been accomplished could not have been done without a wonderful team of colleagues, support from within Samford and Birmingham’s amazing design professionals. It’s been so fun to see the students learn, develop their own design acumen and enter the profession (and get married and become parents too)! You think you don’t age when your students never do… always around 18-22 years old! I like to believe they’ve kept me young.”
How did it feel to be surprised with the presentation of a scholarship named in your honor?
“It was overwhelming (and still is), and very humbling that so many faculty, former students and members of the professional design community would show up and contribute! It has been my goal to create a scholarship for interior design. I had no idea this was being done. My colleagues, especially [professor] Charles Ford and [adjunct professor] Jim Griffo, went above and beyond, and I am so very grateful.”
Can you share the most memorable moment from your career?
“In 32 years there are so many! I have been blessed, but it might have been the reception and scholarship. What a wonderful way to be honored!”
How did your job evolve from when you started until you retired?
“When I began, I planned to teach for five years; get the interior design program accredited; and then return to professional design practice. It took me 32+ years to finally leave. I loved Samford and the students; I took ownership. There were 19 total majors in the whole program (a concentration within the art department) when I began, and I was the only faculty member. A dream was to grow an accredited interior design program and to develop an architecture program by creating a scenario where interior design and architecture majors shared studio space, curriculum and collaborated throughout their college experience. That dream was realized in 2021. Now there are five full-time faculty, two new faculty positions posted, eight adjunct professors and approximately 160 majors within what is now the Department of Architecture & Interior Design. I’d say a lot has changed!”
What influential relationships do you look back on during your time at Samford?
“My fellow faculty members are like family. They inspire me, and I can’t imagine what it will be like not to see them during the week. We’re friends for life though, so I know we’ll stay connected. It’s all about relationships: colleagues, students, mentors, friends and of course, family. That is what has made my time here so rich.”
Can you share your dreams or plans for the future?
“I’ll continue to design, and plan to stay involved with students in some way (hopefully as an adjunct professor at Samford). I have been inspired by Ecclesiastes 2:24: “A person can do nothing better than to eat and drink and find satisfaction in their own toil. This too I see is from the hand of God.” I felt God’s calling to continue pursuit of my passion for design, which resulted in the creation of 2:24 CREATIVE, LLC, a design collective that spans my interests and talents. I’ll focus on this endeavor, continue consulting with LIVE Design Group, travel, and most importantly, spend a lot more time with my family and friends!”
Support the Jeannie Carter Krumdieck Endowed Scholarship.